China News - 13 October 2020
International
China, Russia and Saudi Arabia set to join UN human rights council. Rights campaigners have voiced concerns, with Cuba and Pakistan also expected to be elected. The UN says countries on the human rights council must “uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights”. Nigel Adams speaking at yesterday’s Westminster Hall debate on China’s policies towards Uyghurs, reaffirmed that the UK government would stick to its policy of refusing to comment on UN elections by secret ballot, The Guardian, The Times, 12 October
Taiwan National Day: China simulates large-scale amphibious invasion to rattle Taiwan. Beijing, which has increased pressure on independently governed Taiwan in recent months, said that it had foiled “hundreds of espionage attempts” by the island’s agents to sabotage efforts to reunify it with the mainland. A recently released China Central Television (CCTV) video showed a large-scale military exercise and a purported confession from a Taiwanese businessman held captive in China on spying charges. The Times, Washington Post, 13 October
Academics warn of ‘chilling effect’ of Hong Kong security law. A group of 100 academics have grouped together to defend academic freedoms in response to the threat posed by article 38 of Hong Kong’s national security law. The signatories, representing 71 academic institutions across 16 countries, cite claims that China-related modules are being dropped and writings self-censored by students for fear of reprisals. A separate group of British academics called for a code of conduct requiring universities to consult academics over partnerships with foreign governments. The Guardian, 12 October
France escalates China push, appoints top envoy to Australia as its first ambassador for Indo-Pacific region. Sydney Morning Herald, 12 October
Canadian ‘arbitrarily detained’ in China 'astonished' to learn about scale of Covid pandemic, after finally making contact with outside world. The Guardian, 12 October
Britain should look to reduce strategic 'dependence' on China and explore alternative trading partners, says Tom Tugendhat MP, as new UK ambassador Caroline Wilson lands in Beijing. The Telegraph, 13 October
China still allowing use of pangolin scales in traditional medicine, failing to fully regulate trade despite promises to crack down. The Guardian, 13 October
China watch
China showers policy incentives on Shenzhen as Xi pushes to create model city, including increased policy autonomy over land use, people and technology. SCMP, 13 October
China is celebrating 70 years since it entered the Korean war. The Economist, 3 October
China to maintain ‘normal’ monetary policy, PBOC chief says. Yahoo, 13 October
China issues regulation on organizing hajj trips for Muslims to ensure security, services. Global Times, 12 October
Economy & tech
World Bank calls for debt relief programme as amounts owed hit record levels. World Bank data shows that China is by far the largest creditor within the G20, accounting for 65% of the debts owed to the group – up from 45% in 2013. World Bank president David Malpass said China tended to charge higher interest rates than other creditors, and there was a lack of transparency about the terms of its lending. The Guardian, 12 October
Sri Lankan government turns to China rather than IMF to avoid default, set to negotiate additional $700m tranche with China Development Bank. Nikkei Asia, 13 October
Longer reads & opinion
Beijing believes Trump is accelerating American decline. Rush Doshi in Foreign Policy, 12 October
International law with Chinese characteristics: Beijing and the “rules-based” global order. Robert D. Williams for Brookings
Behind Xi Jinping’s steely façade, a leadership crisis is smouldering in China: recent party purges suggest ebbing confidence. Sarah Cook in The Diplomat, 10 October
China’s influence on the global middle class: what will happen when 1.2 billion Chinese are in the middle class? Brookings
How Australia-China tensions have hit 'lowest ebb in decades'. BBC, 11 October
Why the Pentagon should focus on Taiwan. War on The Rocks, 7 October