China News - 16 May 2022
International
G7 presses China to put real pressure on Putin to stop Ukraine war. The Group of Seven wealthy democracies on Saturday called on Beijing to “resolutely” urge Russia to stop the war in Ukraine, adding to previous warnings against economic or military assistance for the Kremlin. In a lengthy statement issued after a meeting in Germany, the G7 foreign ministers sent an unusually tough message to China, also calling for peace and stability in Taiwan amid diplomatic fears about stepped-up Chinese military pressure on the self-ruled island. Politico, 14 May
UK-China
Kwasi Kwarteng seeks US investment for UK nuclear plants to end reliance on China. Kwasi Kwarteng is expected to hold talks with Jennifer Granholm, the US energy secretary, in Washington DC, where a Whitehall source said the minister was “keen to strengthen cooperation with the Americans on energy security”. Mr Kwarteng is said to be concerned that Britain has become too reliant on two major players in the nuclear market – China General Nuclear, a Chinese state-owned energy giant, and EDF, which is owned by the French state. The Sunday Telegraph, 14 May
Chinese tycoon's charm offensive as MPs fight Newport Wafer Fab takeover. Zhang Xuezheng, the Chinese tech tycoon behind a controversial takeover of chipmaker Newport Wafer Fab is heading for the UK as part of a charm offensive with Ministers, the Mail on Sunday has learnt. Zhang’s visit forms part of an attempt by executives at his firm, Wingtech Technology, to settle government nerves over a national security dispute, likely to come to a head next month. Mail on Sunday, 15 May
Blacklisted Chinese tech found inside top secret UK lab. The UK’s Health Security Agency has been using video surveillance technology from under-fire Chinese firm Hikvision at laboratories that conduct research into vaccines and deadly diseases, according to people familiar with the matter. The equipment was in place as recently as February and it is not known whether it is still there. Bloomberg, 13 May
Harrow Beijing school loses its hallowed British branding. A Harrow representative said the change was due to local authorities enforcing national rules on the naming of private schools that teach Chinese nationals. FT, 16 May
Shanghai targets June return to normal as China cancels 2023 football tournament. Shanghai officials outlined plans for a phased reopening of shopping malls, supermarkets and other businesses, even as many residents in China’s financial hub remained confined to their locked-down homes. Meanwhile, China will no longer host the 2023 Asian Cup finals due to the current Covid-19 situation. WSJ, The Guardian, 15 May
Uyghur county in China has highest prison rate in the world. A list obtained and partially verified by the AP reveals that nearly one in 25 people in a county in the Uyghur heartland of China has been sentenced to prison on terrorism-related charges. Independent, 16 May
Beijing to visit Solomon Islands raising Pacific naval base fears. The Sunday Telegraph, 15 May
EU-US trade and tech negotiators meet in Paris to tighten screws on autocrats. SCMP, 16 May
Economy & tech
New data show China unemployment rate near pandemic peak as economic activity slumps. China's jobless rate rose to 6.1 per cent in April, with official figures also showing retailers and manufacturers were hit hard amid widening lockdowns. China’s industrial production fell by 2.9 per cent from a year earlier in April, while retail sales fell by 11.1 per cent last month, data released on Monday showed. BBC, Bloomberg, 16 May
China looks to spur job prospects for record number of new graduates. Reuters, 13 May
IMF win for China as yuan granted higher weight in special drawing rights. The Chinese yuan has been awarded a higher weight in the IMF’s five-yearly review of the special drawing rights currency basket, in an international acknowledgement of the currency and China’s economic status. SCMP, 15 May
China has been quietly building a blockchain platform. China’s Blockchain-based Service Network has ambitions to go global. However, its links to the Chinese government could make it difficult. CNBC, 15 May
Cheaper than Tesla: Honda takes aim at China's middle class. Nikkei Asia, 15 May
Burberry revival stalls as zero-Covid cuts off key Chinese market. The Telegraph, 15 May
Opinion and editorial
Government must stop the sale of Newport Wafer Fab. Tom Tugendhat. Mail on Sunday, 14 May
China’s struggle delights some – but should make us all nervous. Covid has amplified the threats that accompany the country’s role as an economic superpower. Larry Elliott. The Guardian, 15 May
The plan to crack down on meddling by hostile states is full of holes. This effort will need political backing from Downing Street if it is going to achieve anything substantial. Juliet Samuel. The Telegraph, 14 May
China has avoided the grim US Covid toll. But at what cost? Shanghai was once a symbol of modernity and openness. Xi’s ruthless strategy risks a very bleak future. Rana Mitter. The Observer, 15 May
Long reads
Shanghai lockdown exposes global supply chain strains. Knock-on effects from disruptions in China could hit ports in Europe and the US when sea freight starts moving again. FT, 15 May
What China Sees in the Musks. The billionaire is a cult figure in China. So is his mom. Cao Jingyi. Sixth Tone, 13 May
Why the Soviet Union’s 20th Party Congress continues to haunt China. Zhenze Huang. The Diplomat, 14 May