China News - 18 February 2021
International
UK-China news
Thousands in Hong Kong sign up to BNO visa scheme for UK citizenship. Almost 5,000 Hongkongers have already applied for the UK’s visa route a fortnight after the scheme opened, The Times has learnt. Immigration experts said Britain could receive as many as 150,000 applications by the end of this year if the present rate was sustained. The Times, 18 February
UK universities: applications from China up by 21%. New UCAS data on applications for this academic year show 25,810 applicants from China (up 21% on last year) and 6,400 applications from Hong Kong (up 10%). SCMP, The Times, PIE, UCAS, 17 February
Half of London councils found using Chinese surveillance tech linked to Uighur abuses. Freedom of information requests filed in late 2020 with all 32 London councils and the next 20 largest UK city councils found about two-thirds owned Hikvision or Dahua equipment - two Chinese companies accused of links to the repression of Uighurs. Reuters, TopVPN, 18 February
Durham linked to China’s army, nuclear weapons and industrial espionage. Durham University has connections with 12 state-controlled Chinese universities linked to the PLA, nuclear weapons research and industrial espionage, a Palatinate investigation can reveal. These links range from visits by University grandees and department-led research partnerships, to student exchange agreements and wider research collaboration. Palatinate (student newspaper), 18 February
Chinese embassy rejects UK claim that coronavirus origins 'obvious'. China Daily, 18 February
EU
Soaring EU-Xinjiang trade in textile machinery, tomatoes piles pressure on Brussels to act on alleged forced labour. Chinese customs records examined by the South China Morning Post showed that in 2020, trade continued briskly. Shipments of German-made parts and accessories for textiles machinery in Xinjiang hit a record high of US$41.2 million last year, a staggering 2,763 per cent increase since 2017, when detailed records began. SCMP, 18 February
Baltic states warn EU on China and Russia espionage. Lithuania has banned a Chinese tech firm on security grounds, while Estonia warned the EU on the dangers of both Chinese and Russian espionage. EU Observer, 18 February
Multilateral
China and US face UN cooperation test over Britain’s push for vaccine ceasefires after UK proposes UN Security Council calls for ceasefires. Reuters, 17 February
Beijing hits back at Joe Biden’s plans to put ‘China challenge’ on G7 agenda. A statement from the foreign ministry warns against ‘exclusive cliques’ ahead of Friday’s meeting. SCMP, 17 February
US Secretary of State to hold talks with ‘Quad’ members today, in a first step to coordinate China policy, talks called ‘critical to our shared goals of a free and open Indo-Pacific’. SCMP, 18 February
US
Biden says China to face repercussions on human rights. “Well, there will be repercussions for China and he knows that,” Biden said of Xi, when pressed on the issue at the town hall event televised on broadcaster CNN. Reuters, 17 February
Rahm Emanuel, Nicholas Burns seen as top picks for US Ambassador to China role. Bloomberg, 17 February
Vaccines
Vaccine diplomacy: China says stockpiling of Covid-19 vaccines by rich countries needs to stop. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has accused developed nations of stockpiling large quantities of Covid-19 vaccines, leading to inadequate supply for poor countries, and hit back at attempts to politicise the pandemic. SCMP, 17 February
Today’s news: Sinovac has been approved as effective against new variants, according to the vaccine’s Brazilian partner. Senegal is expecting its first delivery of Sinopharm, while Nepal has cleared Sinopharm’s vaccine before receiving donations from China and India. Hong Kong has approved the Sinovac vaccine.
Economy & tech
Cambodia's new China-style internet gateway decried as repression tool. An 11-page decree announced on Wednesday requires internet service providers to reroute their services through a National Internet Gateway within the next 12 months, before February 2022. Human rights groups have decried the move as a new tool of repression. Reuters, 17 February
Chinese buyers help push Bentley orders up by 50%, CEO says. Reuters, 17 February
China to roll out provincial renewable energy targets, according to draft plan. Sixth Tone, 18 February
China’s rare earth export curbs push Australian miner to fast track Africa project as nations step up diversification plans. SCMP, 18 February
Longer reads & opinion
How Will Fresh UK-China Political Tensions Impact Entertainment? UK producers and distributors have reported a narrowing of opportunity in the Chinese market, with many TV and film deals floating in mid-air. Variety, 17 February
Interesting articles on vaccine diplomacy. Power jab: the rise of vaccine diplomacy. Cindy Yu in The Spectator, The meaning of China’s vaccine diplomacy in SupChina. 18 February
How to ensure your clothes haven't been made using Uighur labour. The Telegraph, 18 February
A dream deal with China that ended in nightmarish debt for Venezuela. Dialogo Chino, 14 February
Why ‘Hostage Diplomacy’ Works. The immoral pressure tactic is effective. Foreign Policy, 17 February
Why Western companies should leave China. Foreign Policy, 17 February