China News - 16 February 2022
New analysis paper: The case for UK-Taiwan climate cooperation. Joe Gayeski and Libby Lange, based at the Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs, have written a fascinating new paper for the China Research Group on the UK’s relationship with Taiwan and why climate is a domain in which deeper cooperation should be pursued.
You can read the paper on our website and listen to Joe and Libby discuss the Taiwan situation on our Talks on China podcast.
International
Letter reveals new guidance to be issued on surveillance firms with links to human rights abuses. Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner Fraser Sampson wrote that the FCDO and Cabinet Office intend to issue new guidance to enable buyers to exercise their discretion more effectively and exclude suppliers linked with modern slavery and human rights violations from bidding for public-funded contracts. Earlier this month, CRG co-chair Alicia Kearns submitted a written question to the Secretary of State for Education, asking if his Department would ban the use of surveillance cameras made by Hikvision and Dahua in UK schools. Gov.uk, 15 February
EU tempts Africa away from Chinese influence. At a two-day gathering of European and African leaders in Brussels this week, the EU hopes to unveil a series of major projects that will benefit from €150 billion in funding it has already pledged for its southern neighbors. Politico, 16 February
Russia-Ukraine crisis a ‘dangerous moment for the world’, warns Truss. Speaking on Sky News, the UK foreign secretary said an invasion by Putin could embolden Iran and China to expand their ambitions. The Guardian, 15 February
‘No benefit’ for China’s Taiwan claim in Russian war with Ukraine. A look at what Chinese experts think regarding a Russian invasion of Ukraine. SCMP, 16 February
Japan calls for tough response on Ukraine, saying China is watching. WSJ, 15 February
Beijing rolls dice with Myanmar's military, sidelines democratic NUG. China is doubling down on its backing of Myanmar's military regime one year after the military takeover, despite widespread and sustained opposition to the generals in the country. Nikkei Asia, 16 February
UK stands with Canada to condemn and deter the practice of arbitrary detention. FCDO (via Twitter), 15 February
China exploits pandas to boost its image, says US congresswoman. The Times, 15 February
Manny Pacquiao to form peace panel to resolve row with Beijing if elected Philippine president. SCMP, 16 February
Economy & tech
Norton Rose directs Hong Kong office to make China pivot. A pivot to China by Norton Rose, a top-10 UK law firm by revenue, reflects how global businesses in Hong Kong are adapting to Beijing’s increasing influence over the city’s economy, politics and institutions, including its zero-Covid pandemic response. FT, 16 February
China's inflation slows, leaving room for policy easing. China's factory-gate inflation eased to its slowest pace in six months and consumer price growth also softened in January amid weakening property sector demand, new coronavirus curbs and government efforts to rein in surging materials costs. Reuters, Nikkei Asia, 16 February
China to work with Asian nations to grow use of local currencies in trade. Progress by emerging Asian nations in using local currencies in trade and investment has strengthened the region's financial safety net against external shocks, Yi Gang, the governor of the People’s Bank of China, told a G20 event. Reuters, 16 February
China’s cities are going to the metaverse. Local governments in Beijing, Shanghai and other cities are all-in on the metaverse to attract new business investments. Protocol, 15 February
Chinese fashion firm Shein on Singapore hiring spree as it shifts key assets. Reuters, 16 February
China court freezes $157m of Evergrande assets over missed payments. Nikkei Asia, 16 February
China is showing off its digital yuan at the Winter Olympics. Bloomberg, 15 February
China focus
Xi sets Hong Kong's leaders 'overriding mission' to control COVID. The directive ramps up pressure on Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam a day after she said her government's response to the outbreak had been unsatisfactory, with hospitals and medical staff unable to cope. Reuters, FT, 16 February
China makes Olympian effort to cut pollution but remains short of WHO standards. An improved national monitoring system has helped Beijing to control air quality, experts say. FT, 16 February
Chinese premier Li Keqiang stresses ‘gathering wisdom’ to improve government work. Xinhua, 15 February
Opinion & editorial
Nixon in China, 50 years on. Xi-Putin friendship usurps half a century of US diplomacy. Richard McGregor. Nikkei Asia, 16 February
China's Olympics have been a catastrophic failure. Xi Jinping was hoping for a propaganda victory, but these Games have only reminded the world of his oppressive acts. Luke de Pulford. The Telegraph, 15 February
China, Ukraine challenges test unity of Germany’s ruling coalition. Months after the Angela Merkel era, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s governing partners are taking a hardline approach to foreign policy. Finbarr Bermingham. SCMP, 15 February
Lessons from Chinese government interference in Australia. James Laurenceson. UTS, 15 February
Long reads
Understanding China’s latest guidelines for greening the Belt and Road. Only six months after the last guidelines, a new release gives more robust direction on greening China’s overseas projects. China Dialogue, 15 February
How nationalism in China has dethroned Nike and Adidas. Data show sustained consumer pivot away from Western brands. Bloomberg, 16 February
America is showering China with new restrictions. A slew of new measures are fundamentally transforming economic relations. Eric Sayers and Ivan Kanapathy. Foreign Policy, 15 February
'Lying flat': Why some Chinese are putting work second. Ivana Davidovic. BBC, 16 February