China News - 17 November

International

China doesn’t want a cold war or a hot war with anyone. Xi said China was ready to be a partner and friend of the US and “will not fight a cold war or a hot war” with any nation. Al Jazeera, 16 November

Russia relishes divisions between China and the US, pouring cold water on Xi-Biden talks. Russian media have barely mentioned the Xi-Biden summit, with state-run agencies focusing primarily on the continued policy tensions between the US and China. Holly Ellyatt. Cnbc, 15 November

Xi Jinping suggests China will send new pandas to US as “envoys of friendship”. Xi said “we are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples”. The Guardian, 16 November

Quick! Buy flowers: Biden reminds Xi of wife’s birthday. Biden asked Xi to pass on birthday wishes to his wife, an embarrassed Xi said the date had passed him by and he had been up to his eyeballs in statesmanship. France24, 16 November

Economy & Tech

Shanghai manufacturer says US has “xenophobic” view of Chinese investors. Chief financial officer of Hesai, Louis Hsieh, said America’s “hostile” attitudes towards Chinese investment had prevented it from opening a $60mn manufacturing plant there. Amanda Chu. Financial Times, 15 November 

Apple under fire over cancellation of Jon Stewart show amid China concerns. US lawmakers have written to Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, over concerns that “coercive tactics of a foreign power” led to the political TV show’s end. The Guardian, 15 November

Alibaba ditches plans to spin off cloud business and list supermarket. Shares fall 10% as the Chinese e-commerce giant blames US export controls for “uncertainties” for its cloud business. Eleanor Olcott. Financial Times, 16 November

TikTok joins Meta in appealing against EU gatekeeper status. TikTok joined Meta in appealing against the “gatekeeper” status under the Digital Markets Act. This is an EU law that brings in tougher rules for tech companies. Supantha Mukherjee. Reuters, 16 November

China’s Xi says he supports Tesla’s development in the country. Xi told Elon Musk that he supports Tesla’s development in China. Reuters, 16 November

Opinion & long-reads

America should aim for competitive coexistence with China. The relationship between the two countries is fraught, but following this week's meeting, it could be manageable if the US plays its cards right. Joseph Nye. Financial Times, 16 November

Can China get its economic mojo back? The Chinese economy is not murdered, but it is in lethal danger. Martin Sandbu. Financial Times, 16 November

The US-China currency wars are in an unstable lull. If Beijing returns to promoting export-led growth, tension over exchange rates may return. Alan Beattie. Financial Times, 16 November

China stocks: panda bearishness should counter any buy signal. Xi’s gesture in promising two new panda’s for the US will not help investors fretting over Chinese stocks trading at historically low valuations. Financial Times, 16 November 

Death toll in China coal firm office rises to 26; at least 38 are injured. State media confirmed that a fire in the office of a coal company in northern China has now killed 26 people. Colleen Howe, Ella Cao and Andrew Hayley. Reuters, 16 November