International
Germany urges withdrawal of Hong Kong security law, seeks access to Uighurs in Xinjiang. Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also rebuked China for its threats towards Czech Senate leader, Milos Vystrcil. But Germany is still planning a summit with Xi Jinping later this month, after reaffirming a commitment to deepening EU-China economic relations. SCMP, The Times, WSJ, 2 September
China is aiming to double the size of its nuclear arsenal, Pentagon report says. A new Pentagon report on Chinese military and security developments was released yesterday. The report indicates major Chinese developments in nuclear warheads and space technology. CNN, FT, 2 September
India secures its east after western Himalaya clashes with China. Reuters, 2 September
China calls on Europe to unite against ‘extremist’ US forces. During the second-last stop of his European tour, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticised the US and told an audience in Paris that “we never talk about ‘China first’”. SCMP, 30 August
Chinese-born Australian CCTV journalist detained in China. The Australian government has confirmed that Cheng Lei was taken in custody by Chinese authorities. The Guardian, 2 September
Vaccine front-runner held back by China’s spat with Canada. CanSino has delayed starting COVID-19 Phase III trials after customs issues at the Chinese border. Japan Times, 2 September
Pompeo hopeful China's Confucius Institutes will be gone from U.S. by year-end. Reuters, 1 September
Hong Kong:
Beijing rewrites Hong Kong schoolbooks to show sovereignty. The Times, 2 September
China warns Norway against granting Nobel Peace Prize to Hong Kong democracy activists. Economic Times, 28 Aug
Hong Kong cardinal warns priests to watch their language in homilies. Catholic Herald, 2 September
Hong Kong embarks on mass Covid testing amid criticism. BBC, 1 September
Economy & tech
China's looming corn shortage fans food security unease. Food inflation in China has reached its highest level in over a decade, with President Xi launching a high-profile campaign to reduce food wastage. Reuters, 2 September
Xi doubles down on domestic focus as U.S. relations fray. Xi Jinping will announce an increased emphasis on the domestic economy when China’s new five-year economic strategy is released next month. Japan Times, 2 September
Citi becomes first US bank to win custody prize in China. FT, 2 September
Beijing will resume direct international flights on Thursday. Global Times, 2 September
Trump insists on compensation for U.S. in any TikTok sale. Yahoo Finance, 1 September
Longer reads & opinion
Europeans getting more sceptical on Beijing, Germany waiting on US elections to decide on Huawei. Noah Barkin from GMF writes that European governments are hardening their positions on Beijing on a range of issues. Watching China in Europe, September
Technology has abetted China’s surveillance state. FT, 2 September
China is the new rich man’s playground. The Times, 2 September
In China, the ‘Great Firewall’ Is Changing a Generation. Politico, 1 September
Xi Jinping sets stage to resurrect ‘chairman’ title created by Mao. FT, 26 August