China News - 19 February 2021

International

G7 leaders meet for first time under UK presidency. The first top-level meeting of the UK’s G7 presidency is set to take place this afternoon. The pandemic is the main agenda item, while the White House have briefed that Biden plans to further discuss the global economic recovery, “including global economic challenges such as those posed by China”. Today also sees the Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other world leaders speak at the Munich Security Conference on foreign and defence policy. The Guardian, DW, Politico Playbook, Reuters, 19 February

Vaccine diplomacy: At today’s G7 meeting, Boris Johnson is set to pledge to donate most of the UK’s surplus vaccine supply to developing countries, alongside its existing funding commitments of £548m to COVAX. Biden will pledge an immediate $2 billion donation to the COVAX programme, with the remaining $2 billion over the next two years. Macron has called for richer countries to send 5% of their current vaccine supplies to developing nations.

China acknowledges 4 deaths in last year’s border clash with India. It was the first explicit admission by the People’s Liberation Army that it had lost soldiers in the June brawl. India says 20 of its troops were killed. NYT, FT, 18 February

Canada lawmakers to vote on accusing China of genocide. MPs are set to vote on Monday, with opposition parties united in supporting the bill in yesterday’s debate. Globe and Mail, 18 February

China lashes out at Canada for signing declaration against arbitrary detention. Earlier this week, Canada and 57 other nations jointly signed a declaration condemning the use of arbitrary detention for political purposes. The Guardian, 18 February

Bill to ban imports of all Xinjiang products reintroduced in the US House of Representatives. SCMP, 18 February

In hunt for Covid-19 origin, WHO team focuses on two animal types. Investigators say ferret badgers and rabbits sold at Wuhan market could have played a role in the spread to humans. Wall Street Journal, 19 February

Italy launches probe into €1.25bn government PPE contract with China, saying a group of businessmen were paid tens of millions of euros in illegal commissions to secure the contracts. FT, 18 February

After Capitol riots, Schwarzman ‘Scholars’ confront their benefactor. 161 current and past Schwarzman Scholars and two program professors urged Mr. Schwarzman to cut off donations to lawmakers who opposed certifying Biden’s election. NYT, 18 February

China watch

Update: China's decision to ban BBC ‘legitimate and reasonable’ says China’s foreign ministry spokesperson. Xinhua, 18 February

China set to be first country where e-commerce sales outstrip bricks-and-mortar retail in 2021. SCMP, 19 February

China urges northeastern provinces to study fully scrapping birth limits, faced with ageing population. Caixin, 19 February

Economy & tech

Yellen says US will keep tariffs on China in place for now. The United States will keep tariffs imposed on Chinese goods by the former Trump administration in place for now, but will evaluate how to proceed after a thorough review, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Thursday. Reuters, 19 February

How Oracle sells repression in China. Despite being sold as a buyer for TikTok that would safeguard data, Oracle representatives have marketed the company’s data analytics for use by police and security industry contractors across China. The Intercept, 18 February

Facebook promoted articles spreading Xinjiang disinformation, accepting money from state-linked news outlets. Daily Mail, 18 February

Longer reads & opinion

Chaguan: China faces fateful choices, especially involving Taiwan. To many Chinese, the island’s conquest is a sacred national mission. The Economist, 18 February

Understanding Decoupling: Macro trends and industry impacts. A thorough economic analysis of the significant trade-offs that would arise from sustained US decoupling from China. Rhodium Group for the US Chamber of Commerce, 17 February

Biden’s National Security Council sharpens focus on China. The NSC’s Indo-Pacific Directorate will be its largest team. Foreign Policy, 18 February

China’s soft power strategy through gaming. Deutschlandfunk Kultur, 15 February

Chart of the day

Source: Vaccine diplomacy: west falling behind in race for influence in The Guardian.