China News 15 June
CRG online event tomorrow:
Huawei and 5G - what's the right approach? 10AM to 11AM - Tuesday 16th June. Panelists: Derek McManus, Chief Operating Officer, O2, André Pienaar, founder of C5, a cybersecurity investment firm and Tobias Ellwood, Chair of the Defence Select Committee and “Security of 5G” subcommittee. Email neil.obrien.mp@parliament.uk to reserve a place.
International
Fifty-four scientists lose jobs as a result of NIH probe into foreign ties, Harvard lab chief indicted. The US National Institutes of Health is looking into the failure of NIH grantees to disclose financial ties to foreign governments. In 93% of those cases, the hidden funding came from a Chinese institution. The former Chair of Harvard University’s Chemistry and Chemical Biology Department has been indicted on charges of making false statements to federal authorities regarding his participation in China’s Thousand Talents Program. Science Mag, 12 June US Justice department, 9 June
Communist Party is “political zombie” under Xi, says former Party school professor. Cai Xia, a former professor of the Central Party School of the CCP, criticised President Xi’s decision to end term limits and lamented the inability of anyone else in the system to stand up to him. Xia predicted the country could head for a period of instability. China Digital Times, 13 June
EU won’t ally with US against China, wont pick sides. The bloc will not pick a side in the escalating US-China conflict, Josep Borrell, the EU's Foreign Policy chief has said. Borell said the EU’s description of China as a strategic rival, “doesn’t mean that we are embarking in a systematic rivalry.” SCMP, 14 June, EEAS blog 14 June
European Parliament considers suing China over Hong Kong. Inkstone, 12 June
On the Week in Westminster Neil O’Brien MP debated Lord Jim O’Neill on Huawei. The Week in Westminster, (9 mins in)
State media criticises China Research Group. Global Times, 14 June
Beijing braces for coronavirus second wave as city shuts market. Imported goods face a backlash after state media blames salmon shipments for new cluster. FT, 14 June
South China Sea: Beijing must learn to lead and share in disputed waters. SCMP, 15 June
The Great Decoupling? What’s Next for U.S.-China Rift. Bloomberg, 15 June
Taiwan builds 'nerd immunity' to resist Chinese disinformation campaigns. “Inoculating” the 23-million-strong population to fake news from China has been one of the chief goals of Audrey Tang, Taiwan’s ground-breaking digital minister. The Telegraph, 15 June
Hong Kong:
Pro-democracy veteran Lee Cheuk-yan calls for boycott of Zoom after his account was suspended. RTHK, 12 June
Police complaints commission member says he quit because he felt manipulated. RTHK, 11 June
Beijing will have direct jurisdiction over security law cases. SCMP, 15 June
Economy/Tech
China continues to use ozone depleting CFC-11 in violation of Montreal Protocol. Between 40 and 60 per cent of total global CFC-11 emissions originate from Eastern China, reveals study. NYTimes, Down to Earth, 22 May
Fears for Volvo Expose Sour Turn in Sweden’s Ties With China. The NY Times looks at plans to fully merge Volvo with Geely. “We want the innovation power to remain,” said Anna Margitin Blomberg, the head of the engineers’ union at Volvo. The report notes that citing a sharp increase in Chinese acquisitions of Swedish technology companies, the Swedish Security Service, Sapo, labeled China the biggest threat to the country’s national security after Russia. Purchases include a semiconductor company, Silex, and Satlab Geosolutions, a satellite positioning company. NY Times, 14 June
China in brace position as Five Eyes form united front. SCMP, 14 June
Break the China Habit? Lobsters, Lights and Toilets Show How Hard It Is. NY Times, 15 June
Longer reads and opinion
Th chip wars of the 21st century. War on the Rocks, 11 June
Playing hardball with China works – the west is right to move to a ‘constrainment’ strategy. The Conversation, 12 June
The challenges in standing up to Beijing. Express, 14 June
If you found this summary useful, please sign up or send it to a friend.