China News - 15 September 2020
International
Xinjiang: US to block some exports, citing China's human rights abuses. The US has announced an export ban on garments, cotton, computer parts and hair products from five entities in Xinjiang and Anhui province. The Trump administration’s sanctions over human rights violations fall short of a wider regional ban, which is still under consideration. BBC, 15 September
Nvidia’s acquisition of Arm expected to draw UK into US-China tech war, analysts say. The strategic importance of the chip industry to the US and China means that the proposed acquisition of Arm by US-based Nvidia is likely to prompt a response from China. In 2016, 20% of Arm’s revenues were from China - and the retention of Arm’s UK headquarters may help to alleviate Chinese fears of future US export controls. SCMP, FT Editorial, 15 September
Australia criticises China over treatment of Uighurs and for eroding freedoms in Hong Kong. Australia’s foreign affairs minister, Marise Payne, criticised the Chinese government in a speech to the UN’s human rights council. Chinese diplomats responded urging Australia to “halt interfering in others’ internal affairs”. The Guardian, 15 September
EU pushes China on trade, human rights at virtual summit. “Europe needs to be a player, not a playing field,” European Council President Charles Michel told reporters following a video summit with Xi. “We want more fairness. We want a more balanced relationship that also means reciprocity and a level playing field.” Xi used his press conference to emphasise his belief that there is no “best way” to human rights development. DW, Reuters, Xinhua (state-affiliated media), 15 September
China coronavirus vaccine may be ready for public in November, according to official. Reuters, 15 September
Senior CPC official stresses deepening ethnic unity and progress. Xinhua, 14 September
Taiwan says it has Vatican assurances on China accord. Reuters, 15 September
Indonesia to beef-up patrols after China coastguard raises suspicion. Reuters, 15 September
Economy & tech
Xi Jinping calls on science to solve the big problems choking China, including reliance on overseas technology. Speaking at a Beijing forum on Friday, Xi reiterated the need for China to make more research breakthroughs in the face of “unilateralism and protectionism”. SCMP, 15 September
Chinese firm amasses trove of open-source data on influential Canadians. The Globe and Mail, 14 September
Canada looks set for a fight over C$1 billion compensation for Huawei gear. Reuters, 15 September
TikTok: Oracle confirms being picked by Bytedance to be app's partner. BBC, 14 September
Chinese retail sales grow for first time since coronavirus outbreak. FT, 15 September
Longer reads & opinion
Freeze Chinese oppressors’ dirty money and assets in UK. Layla Moran in The Times, 15 September
The new China consensus: How Europe is growing wary of Beijing. Janka Oertel in ECFR, 7 September
Is Hong Kong about to get its own foreign NGO law in the name of ‘National Security’? ChinaFile, 13 September
Can Asean dance its way out of having to take sides in the US-China conflict? SCMP, 15 September
A year on, a quieter outbreak still sickens thousands in northwest China. Caixin, 14 September
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