China News - 2 February 2021

Happening now: The China Research Group’s Tom Tugendhat in conversation with Sir Sherard-Cowper Coles.

Yang Jiechi: Chinese diplomat warns Biden not to meddle in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. In the first speech by a Chinese official to a US audience since President Joe Biden took office, China’s top diplomat blamed Donald Trump for the dismal state of US-China ties and told Mr Biden not to meddle in Beijing’s affairs. While reassuring the United States that China has no intention to challenge or replace the U.S. position in the world, Yang stressed that no force can hold back China’s development. FT, Reuters, 1 February

Myanmar coup: Japan defence official warns Myanmar coup could increase China's influence in region. The world’s democracies would risk pushing Myanmar into the arms of China if their response to the coup closes channels for communication with the Southeast Asian country’s powerful generals, Japan’s deputy defence minister said on Tuesday. Joe Biden has called for Myanmar’s military to relinquish power immediately and has threatened sanctions. SCMP, Reuters, 2 February

China’s president responds to Higgins letter about detained Dubliner. President Michael D Higgins and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, have exchanged letters about the plight of an Irish businessman who has been detained in China for almost two years. Irish Times, 2 February

British troops in Mali are being commanded by a Chinese officer for first time in UN mission patrol. It is thought to be the first time British forces have been under command of a Chinese officer, although the Royal Navy has worked alongside the Chinese navy in counter-piracy operations around the horn of Africa. The Telegraph, 2 February

National security law: Jimmy Lai back in prison while Hong Kong’s top judges consider bail provision in new legislation. No overseas judges presided over the hearing, which is contrary to the top court’s tradition. SCMP, 2 February

Canada sorry for bat-like Wu-Tang symbol on diplomat's Wuhan T-shirt. China lodged a complaint after images of the garment circulated online, showing the word ‘Wuhan’ on top of the group’s stylised ‘W’. The Guardian, 2 February

Biden administration: Kamala Harris and Justin Trudeau spoke about Canadians Spavor and Kovrig detained in China in her first foreign call. Elsewhere, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken sharply criticised China over its actions in Hong Kong, saying it acted “egregiously” to undermine the city, and that the US should accept people fleeing the crackdown there. SCMP, 2 February

Chau Chak Wing: Chinese-Australian businessman wins media defamation case after being portrayed as a spy. BBC, 2 February

Mandarin proves a winner in English schools, with students set to double in five years. China Daily, 1 February

Taiwan pro-independence lawmakers seek to remove references to Chinese unity from constitution. SCMP, 1 February

AstraZeneca's China partner expects to be able to make 400 million COVID-19 vaccine doses a year, doubling expected capacity. Reuters, 2 February

China watch

China slams own energy agency over failed environmental policies. An unusually harsh report said the National Energy Administration, or NEA, had failed to control the coal power capacity of the country’s more populous eastern provinces, resulting in steadily rising air pollution in those regions. Sixth Tone, 2 February

Chinese President Xi Jinping says intellectual property protection is key part of country’s development plans. SCMP, 2 February

Criminal probe of Covid superspreader to 82 sparks legal debate in China. Sixth Tone, 2 February

Economy & tech

Shares in HNA subsidiaries tumble after misuse of funds revealed. The conglomerate spent more than $40bn, including on stakes in Deutsche Bank and hotel operator Hilton International. FT, 2 February

Chinese state newspaper omits Jack Ma from list of entrepreneurial leaders in a sign of his fall from grace. Reuters, 2 February

Chinese spending on luxury brands soars. Consumers unable to travel spent 48 per cent more on luxury brands within China last year, driving sales to 346 billion yuan (£39 billion). By contrast sales of comparable items fell by about 23 per cent globally, according to Bain & Co, a consultancy. The Times, 2 February

Longer reads & opinion

Comment: Britain’s pivot to the east makes sense but there are dangers too. Observations on the divergences in data regulation in the CPTPP vs the UK’s EU deal in The Times, 2 February

Burma coup: Why Beijing keeps its mouth shut and eyes open. The Times, 2 February

MPs must back the genocide amendment to oppose the oppression of the Uighurs. Matthew Turner and Benedict Rogers in The Times ahead of today’s trade bill debate in the Lords, 2 February

Trade secrets: the EU’s quixotic plan to shame China over labour rights. Interesting comparison to the forced labour clauses in the EU’s Vietnam and South Korean trade deals in the FT, 2 February