China News - 15 December 2020
International
New report highlights forced labour in Xinjiang cotton picking industry. More than half a million people from ethnic minority groups in Xinjiang have been coerced into picking cotton, on a scale far greater than previously thought, the new research suggests. The research, written by Dr Adrian Zenz and publishied by the Center for Global Policy, concludes that the US and other countries should ban the export of all cotton from Xinjiang. The BBC ran an exclusive report on the findings, including footage of new factories and camps in Xinjiang. BBC, The Guardian, CGP Briefing, 14 December
Scott Morrison lashes China over reported ban on Australian coal imports, says any ban would be a violation of WTO rules. Scott Morrison said that the government was seeking clarification from Beijing. Australia is also said to be close to taking China to the WTO over barley tariffs, after China imposed tariffs of over 80% in May. Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian, Bloomberg, 15 December
Revealed: China suspected of spying on Americans via Chinese state-controlled Caribbean phone networks. The Guardian reports that China appears to have used mobile phone networks in the Caribbean to surveil US mobile phone subscribers as part of its espionage campaign. At the heart of the allegations are claims that China, using a state-controlled mobile phone operator, is directing signalling messages to US subscribers, usually while they are travelling abroad. The Guardian, 15 December
GCHQ Director Jeremy Fleming warns internet is at risk of 'splintering' due to increasing Chinese control, in comments at Chatham House event. The Telegraph, 15 December
New Zealand foreign minister offers to help broker peace deal between Australia and China. The Guardian, 15 December
15-year-old Hongkonger flees to the UK, becomes youngest Hongkonger to go into exile. HKFP, 15 December
Cambodia shuns China's Sinovac vaccine in favor of 1 million doses of COVAX shots. Nikkei Asia, 15 December
China watch
Why did China’s Communist Party elite need a lecture on the US? A top specialist in American-Chinese relations addressed the Politburo on national security last week. SCMP, 15 December
China central bank urges wider acceptance of cash as payments go digital, vowing to punish those who refuse to accept cash. Reuters, 15 December
China search giant Baidu considers making own electric vehicles. Reuters, 15 December
Economy & tech
China’s economy continues broad recovery despite Covid-19 surge elsewhere. Industrial output, investment and consumer spending all grew at faster paces in November. WSJ, 15 December
With Americans stuck at home, trade with China roars back. In November, exports to the US from China climbed 46.1 percent to $51.98 billion. NYT, 14 December
UK enters formal EDF talks over £20bn Sizewell C nuclear plant. UK ministers have confirmed they will enter formal negotiations with French utility EDF over how to finance Sizewell C. FT, 15 December
China suspends top credit rating agency as defaults hit market, after former executive was accused of taking “massive bribes”. FT, 14 December
Chinese fashion group that controls Lycra maker defaults on $153m bond. FT, 14 December
Longer reads & opinion
China’s combative nationalists see a world turning their way. Must-read on how triumphalism and nationalism have developed under Xi. NYT, 14 December
Inside China's quiet campaign to bend international institutions to its own agenda. The Telegraph, 14 December
Opinion: The Sino-British relationship needs more pragmatic engagement, not less. SCMP, 15 December
Opinion: China’s ban is less of a threat to Australia’s coal industry than international climate ambition. The Guardian, 15 December
UK citizen Peter Humphrey was once locked up in China. Now he advises other prisoners and their families how to take on Beijing. CNN, 14 December
Opinion: Pound for pound, Taiwan is the most important place in the world. Its excellence in the computer chip market puts it at the center of the battle for global technological supremacy.NYT, 14 December