International
WTO rules that US tariffs on China broke global trade rules. The WTO said that the US did not provide sufficient evidence for its claims of China’s unfair technology theft and state aid justified the border taxes. The Trump administration responded by reiterating its belief that the WTO is “completely inadequate” to the task of confronting China. BBC, The Guardian, FT, 16 September
Australia formally names China as the state in the nation’s first foreign interference investigation. ABC also reports that the Australian police accessed the communications of top Chinese diplomats as part of the investigation. China has complained that Australia breached conventions on diplomatic relations. Reuters, ABC, 16 September
US and UK update travel advice to warn of risk of arbitrary arrest in China and Hong Kong. The US urges citizens to “reconsider travel” to Hong Kong, while British advice cites examples of the arbitrary detention of foreigners for “endangering national security”. The Guardian, 15 September
Hong Kong’s No 2 defends national security law as ‘vital’ in statement to UN Human Rights Council. SCMP, 16 September
Italy hardens stance on China, in line with EU investment push. Bloomberg, 16 September
Actor John Boyega resigns from Jo Malone ambassador role over Chinese ad. BBC, 15 September
China pledges expanded trade with EU but stops short on market access concessions. SCMP, 16 September
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi calls for mutual respect in Mongolia visit. SCMP, 16 September
Xi's upcoming attendance at UN meetings illustrates China's commitment to multilateralism. Xinhua (state-affiliated media), 15 September
US sanctions Chinese company over Dara Sakor project in Cambodia. SCMP, 16 September
Economy & tech
CCP wants stronger role in private sector. New guidelines issued by the CCP call upon cadres in the private sector to extend the work of the CCP’s ‘United Front’ in business. This builds upon Xi’s speech this week calling for scientists to remember their national identity in driving China’s innovation and growth. Bloomberg, Analysis, 16 September
TikTok set to become a standalone US company to satisfy White House. FT, NYT, 15 September
Pompeo confident that there will be effective competitors to Huawei from Western vendors. Reuters, 15 September
Siemens says it respects China’s sovereignty after CEO's remark over HK drew anger. Global Times (state-affiliated media), 16 September
Money-launderers use Chinese online shopping sites to funnel cash offshore. FT, 16 September
Longer reads & opinion
Pandemic sharpens 'battle for the soul' of United Nations between U.S. and China. Reuters, 16 September
China is Merkel’s biggest failure in office. Foreign Policy, 15 September
Europe must change its China policy. Handelsblatt (DE), 14 September
Analysis: China’s great power play puts Asia on edge. FT, 16 September
A 2020 vision for strategic clarity on Taiwan. Taiwan Insight, 16 September
China’s hostage diplomacy is threat to West. The Times, 16 September
Europe’s wolf warriors - experts and policymakers calling for the EU to push back against Beijing. Politico, 13 September
China’s authoritarian approach won’t save the environment. The Economist, 12 September
Policy brief: China’s growing influence in Central Asia through surveillance systems. Caspian Policy