China News - 14 November
International
David Cameron returns to UK government as foreign secretary. The former PM is back in the political spotlight following Sunak’s cabinet reshuffle. During Cameron’s time as PM, he heralded a “Golden Era” in UK-China relations. Kiran Stacey. The Guardian, 13 November
Everything Biden and Xi need from their summit- starting with each other. The leaders of the world’s largest economies should find that enough to overcome their clashing biographies and world views. Shawn Dondan and Rebecca Choong Wilkins. Bloomberg, 13 November
Xi-Biden meeting overshadowed by conflicts in Ukraine and Israel- and US stance on Taiwan. The two presidents will meet amid a deteriorating geopolitical climate, as their countries are on opposing sides of two major conflicts. Amy Hawkins. The Guardian, 13 November
Biden to meet with Indonesia president ahead of Xi summit. Biden will host Indonesian president Joko Widodo at the White House as the two leaders prepare for the APEC summit in San Francisco. Trevor Hunnicutt. Reuters, 13 November
Resettlement offer to Pacific a win for Australia over China. Under a security guarantee to the remote atoll nation of Tuvalu, Australia will offer permanent residency to 280 Tuvalu citizens each year. This treaty could transform Australia’s relationship with the Pacific. Kirsty Needham and Martin Quin Pollard. Reuters, 13 November
India and China fight for influence over tiny Archipelago nation. Better known for its white sand beaches and blue sea than as a strategic military outpost, New Delhi’s foothold in the Maldives is threatened after the president-elect vows to oust Indian security forces. Rajesh Roy. WSJ, 11 November
Economy & Tech
Carbon credits at risk of link to Uyghur forced labour bought by BP and Spotify. An investigation has found that credits have been sourced from a carbon project centred on a biomass power plant in Xinjiang. Patrick Greenfield, Amy Hawkins and Manisha GangulyI. The Guardian, 13 November
China’s carbon emissions set for structural decline from next year. According to research, China’s carbon emissions could peak this year before falling into a structural decline for the first time from next year following a record surge in clean energy investments. Jillian Ambrose. The Guardian, 13 November
China’s high-tech manufacturing loans raise fears of wave of cheap exports. Beijing, determined to upgrade manufacturing, is steering money towards makers of high-tech products raising fears that overcapacity will fuel a new wave of cheap exports. Don Durfee, Kevin Yao and Eduardo Baptista. Reuters, 12 November
China weighs ending freeze on Boeing purchases with 737 Max deal in US. China is considering resuming purchases of Boeing’s 737 Max aircraft when Biden and Xi meet at the APEC summit this week. Gokul Pisharody. Reuters, 13 November
Opinion & long-reads
How secure is Xi Jinping’s rule? Xi’s consolidation of power may suggest a stable rule, but economic turbulence and growing discontent with opportunity in the PCR may suggest otherwise. Patrick Triglavcanin. Geostrategy, 10 November
How two-faced Xi Jinping is exploiting war in Gaza to beget China’s new order. In the same way as it is with Ukraine, Xi’s so-called neutrality is designed to advance China and make the US look weak. Simon Tisdall. The Guardian, 11 November
When Albanese met Xi: inside the diplomatic reset with China. Podcast. Theguardian, 12 November
Q&A: Former US diplomat sees “troubling divisions” in Southeast Asia. The former US ambassador to Indonesia and Myanmar, Scot Marciel, has just published the book Imperfect Partners: The United States and Southeast Asia. He says Washington should focus on engaging with the region rather than trying to counter Chinese influence. Thompson Chau. Al Jazeera, 9 November
China’s matchmaking mums have a powerful ally: The Party. As marriage and birth rates plummet, both mothers and the CCP are encouraging young men and women to reverse the trend. Fan Wang. BBC News, 12 November