China News - 2 November 2020
International
New CRG report: Tories push for watchdog to counter Chinese interference. The UK should set up a “foreign interference” watchdog to help combat espionage and influence operations by hostile countries such as China, a report from the Conservative party’s Sino-British relations group has urged. The recommendation comes in a paper by Charles Parton, a former diplomat and China expert, on resetting the UK’s strategy towards Beijing against a backdrop of growing security concerns.
Tom Tugendhat MP said “although foreign interference is nothing new, the co-ordinated and strategic influence being placed on us by the world’s second-largest economy is now changing the nature of our academic freedom, our innovation, our research, and some say, even our democracy.” FT, 2 November
This is the CRG’s first published report: read the full report on our new website.
Key points:
Why the UK must recognise a values divergence with China
Recommended actions for the government, including a foreign interference watchdog and tightening rules on political lobbying
The importance of taking a clear stance on Taiwan
China destroys domes of famous mosques as cultural whitewash continues. China’s campaign to suppress Islam is clear as authorities remove Arab-style onion domes and decorative elements from mosques across the country. Stark changes have been observed at the main mosque in Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia province, where most of China’s Hui ethnic Muslim minority live. The Telegraph, 31 October
Chinese flyovers towards Taiwan peaked in October amid rising tensions. China’s military sent planes towards Taiwan on 25 of the 31 days of October, the highest frequency of the antagonistic sorties all year, a Taiwanese monitoring group has said. Taiwan is building up its defence capabilities to discourage any possible cross-strait conflict, and has spent more than $1bn this year in scrambling jets to respond to the sorties towards and over the so-called “median line” in the Strait. But analysts say the prospect of defending itself against an invasion would rely on outside assistance. The Guardian, 2 November
Hong Kong pro-democracy politicians arrested. Seven pro-democracy politicians in Hong Kong have been arrested over scuffles with pro-Beijing lawmakers in the city's Legislative Council in May. None of the pro-Beijing politicians involved have been detained. BBC, 1 November
MI5 and MI6 advertise for Mandarin speakers to serve in British intelligence, as espionage threat from China grows. The Telegraph, 31 October
Meng Wanzhou: Questions over Huawei executive’s arrest as legal battle continues to prevent her being extradited to the US. BBC, 1 November
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs pledges to safeguard Chinese journalists' rights after US delays visa renewals for reporters. Reuters, 2 November
British ambassador Caroline Wilson: UK, China should join hands to defeat COVID-19, noting both countries’ roles as leaders in vaccine development. CGTN, 31 October
Hong Kong media boss Jimmy Lai distances himself from contentious Hunter Biden-China report. Reuters, 2 November
China watch
Organised 'overkill': China shows off rapid lockdown system after latest outbreak in Kashgar. Reuters, 31 October
Chinese Ambassador to Japan outlines stance on issues including HK, Xinjiang, Diaoyu Islands: media. Global Times
Xi stresses deepening rural land system reform in new era, prioritizing protection of farmers' rights and interests. Xinhua
Economy & tech
Huawei develops plan for chip plant in Shanghai, enabling it to secure supplies for its core telecom infrastructure business despite US sanctions. FT, 2 November
Xi Jinping promises China will be more open to international scientific cooperation despite drive for hi-tech self-reliance. SCMP, 30 October
Longer reads & opinion
Watching China in Europe. Noah Barkin’s excellent monthly newsletter on EU relations with China. GMF, 2 November
China and the U.S. Entity List: why the complex ownership structures of many large Chinese firms makes it difficult to enforce sanctions against them. The Wire, 1 November
China gained ground on India during bloody summer in the Himalayas. Bloomberg, 2 November
Vietnam majority roots for Trump's hard line on China. Vietnamese Americans are much more likely to support Trump than compatriots from the Philippines, India, Japan, South Korea and China. Nikkei, 2 November
Vietnam is losing its special strategic partners, Cambodia and Laos, to China. The Diplomat, 2 November
The week ahead
Monday
2pm: Oral questions to Defence ministers in Parliament, including on disinformation.
Hong Kong Fintech Week begins: People's Bank of China Governor Yi Gang will speak on a panel on the first day, followed by Ray Dalio.
Tuesday
US presidential election takes place.
3:30pm: Foreign Affairs Committee evidence session on the FCDO’s role in blocking foreign asset stripping in the UK with Professor Shaowei He (expert on internationalisation of the Chinese MNEs) and Azeem Azhar.
Wednesday
Carrie Lam begins three-day visit to Beijing to agree on a relaunch plan for Hong Kong’s economy.
A district court in Washington will hold a hearing on the fate of TikTok, after blocking Trump’s executive order.
10am: CRG human rights briefing with Sir Geoffrey Nice QC. Register here.
Thursday
Ant Group makes it stock market debut in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Ant's parent company, Alibaba Group, will announce July-September results on the same day.
10:30am: Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee session on
Forced labour in UK value chains, focused on Xinjiang. Oral Evidence from Paul Scully MP and Michael Warren.