China News - 18 November 2020
Judicial independence: Hong Kong national security law pits judges against justice officials in activist's trial. Hong Kong’s department of justice has asked that a national security judge take over the trial of an activist, even though he has not been charged with national security offences, in a move that underlines the erosion of the city’s independent legal system. The Guardian, 17 November
Chinese official signals further targeting of Hong Kong 'dissidents'. Senior Chinese Communist Party officials signalled on Tuesday that a further clamp down on opposition is likely in Hong Kong following a year of social unrest, stressing that the city must be governed by patriots. Nikkei Asia, 17 November
Losing the space war to 'irresponsible' Russian and Chinese actions could cost UK £1billion every day, Chief of the Air Staff warns. One test of an anti-satellite rocket by China has resulted in over 10 per cent of all space debris in low earth orbit. These weapons “risk creating debris” that could make “parts of space completely unusable”, he told the virtual Defence Space 2020 conference. The Telegraph, The Times, 17 November
Beijing lists grievances against Australia, giving warning to other countries with tense China relations. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian listed grievances including criticising China’s policy on Hong Kong and Taiwan, banning Huawei, searching Chinese journalists and advocating for an international inquiry over Covid-19. SupChina, Transcript, 17 November
Beijing has increasingly used Australia to demonstrate its willingness to punish political transgressions with trade pressure — but Australia is far from the only country which has made “wrong moves”.
Universities Superannuation Scheme demands clarity on National Security and Investment Bill. The £67bn retirement scheme for employees of British universities has assets include stakes in Heathrow airport, alongside foreign investors such as China’s sovereign wealth fund. Both the number of potential notifications and the retrospective powers were cited as significant causes for concern. The NS&I Bill had its second reading in the House of Commons yesterday. The Times, 18 November
Chinese state media warns Australia and Japan over 'confrontational' new defence pact. PM Scott Morrison and Yoshihide Suga, announced on Tuesday that they had reached broad agreement on arrangements for troops to train on each other’s territory. The Guardian, 18 November
Germany accuses Russia, China of stalling over North Korea fuel sanctions at UN. Reuters, 18 November
Taiwan to shut down China-friendly tycoon's news channel, citing evidence of interference. Reuters, 18 November
China watch
Rule of law: Xi stresses sticking to socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics. Xinhua
World can count on China to meet carbon pledge, says Xi. Reuters
China’s Premier Li emphasises economic stability amid global recession, revisits dual circulation strategy. Bloomberg
Economy & tech
Chinese tech group joins list of companies to default on bond issue. A top Chinese chipmaker and a major car manufacturer announced debt defaults on Monday, expanding a list of distressed state-linked firms that have roiled the country’s credit market in recent days. FT, 17 November
Limited impact seen from Trump investment ban on military-linked Chinese firms. The order still allows U.S. investors to continue to own or sell shares they already hold in the targeted companies, raising further questions about its impact. Reuters, 18 November
Longer reads & opinion
Living with the Dragon with Nick Robinson, recently broadcast on Radio 4, looks at the recent history of UK government relations with China with interviews with Tony Blair, David Cameron and more. BBC Sounds, 15 November
US State Department: The Elements of the China Challenge. Axios released a copy of the U.S. State Department's Office of Policy Planning blueprint for America’s response to China’s rise as an authoritarian superpower. Axios, full document, 17 November.
China to leapfrog 56 nations in 25 year growth surge. Bloomberg, 17 November
