China News - 16 November 2022
International
G20
Rishi Sunak's G20 meeting with Xi Jinping cancelled after missile strike in Poland. The Prime Minister was set to hold a meeting with Xi this morning, the first time a British leader would have faced him since 2018. Downing Street said Sunak would "encourage China to use its place on the global stage responsibly to resolve geopolitical tensions, ensure regional stability and play its part in tackling the devastating global impact of the war in Ukraine". A spokesperson added that Sunak would stress the UK's national and economic security was a "pre-condition for any UK-China engagement". BBC, Sky News, 16 November
Analysis: China and the Anglosphere mend a few fences at G20. Nadya Yeh. The China Project, 15 November
In diplomatic flurry, European leaders press Xi Jinping on opposing nuclear weapons. European leaders met with Xi on Tuesday in Bali, securing his opposition to the use of nuclear weapons, a move seen as a rebuke to the brinkmanship of Vladimir Putin. However, China joined Russia to oppose using “war” to describe Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. SCMP, 15 November
China to speed up free trade agreement talks with South Korea. Reuters, 15 November
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace met with China’s Ambassador to the UK, Zheng Zeguang, yesterday:
US FBI director says TikTok poses national security concerns. Chinese-owned TikTok raises national security concerns, FBI Director Chris Wray said on Tuesday, flagging the risk that the Chinese government could harness the video-sharing app to influence users or control their devices. Risks include "the possibility that the Chinese government could use [TikTok] to control data collection on millions of users or control the recommendation algorithm,” Wray told US lawmakers. Reuters, 15 November
China zero Covid: Violent protests in Guangzhou put curbs under strain. Crowds of residents in southern China's industrial metropolis Guangzhou escaped a compulsory lockdown and clashed with police, as anger at strict coronavirus curbs boiled over. It follows Guangzhou's worst Covid outbreak since the pandemic began. BBC, 15 November
China circles El Salvador’s economy as country edges toward crypto plunge. The president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, who made bitcoin legal tender a year ago, announced that the country would sign a free trade agreement with China on the day that FTX declared insolvency. China has offered to buy the country’s $21bn in foreign debt as part of the deal. The Guardian, 15 November
China’s aid exports climb to $1.3 billion. The value of goods donated by the Chinese government, companies and individuals was almost 40% higher than in 2020, according to a new database created by academics. Bloomberg, 15 November
MPs and peers urge Sunak to sanction pro-Beijing Hong Kong officials. City AM, 15 November
Economy & tech
China GDP growth outlook sputters to 3.3%, threatening global economy. The Chinese economy is on track to expand by 3.3% in real terms this year, according to the latest QUICK FactSet survey of private-sector analysts. The updated forecast represents a 1.8-point downgrade from the estimates at the start of the year. Nikkei Asia, 16 November
Optimism builds for China’s property sector after state financial package. FT, 16 November
China’s semiconductor output posts biggest ever decline amid weak demand, US export controls. October saw the largest single-month decrease in semiconductor manufacturing output on the mainland since records began in 1997. SCMP, 15 November
China’s businesses get top billing at World Cup. Al Jazeera, 16 November
China focus
China’s coronavirus test providers hit by payments crunch. China’s coronavirus test providers have reported a surge in unpaid fees as cash-strapped local governments struggle to fund a mass testing programme that is central to Xi Jinping’s zero-Covid policy. FT, 16 November
Race to save Manchu language of Qing dynasty. The Times, 15 November
Long reads & opinion
West plays a tired, old tune on matching China’s Belt and Road. Western nations have repeatedly promised to challenge Chinese infrastructure investments, but this is a huge ask in reality. Barbara Moens and Stuart Lau. Politico, 15 November
Should the United States pledge to defend Taiwan? Foreign Affairs asks the experts. Foreign Affairs, 15 November
Why Japan should join AUKUS. Tokyo has become an indispensable security actor in the Indo-Pacific. Michael Auslin. Foreign Policy, 15 November
Despite long odds, rural Chinese continue to bet on education. Wang Zhaoxin. Sixth Tone, 15 November