China News - 20 April 2022
International
China and Russia threaten 'tectonic shift' in world economy, IMF warns. The IMF warned that the world is at risk of splitting into two economic blocs as a “tectonic shift” puts an end to decades of globalisation. As the international financial institution slashed global growth forecasts in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said: “The war also increases the risk of a more permanent fragmentation of the world economy into geopolitical blocs with distinct technology standards, cross-border payment systems, and reserve currencies.” The Telegraph, 19 April
Chinese diplomats head to eastern Europe as suspicions grow over Russia ties. China is sending a delegation to eight countries in central and eastern Europe as it tries to stem growing suspicions in the region over its ties with Moscow. The delegation will also be trying to revive the ‘17+1’ platform after Lithuania’s recent departure but analysts say that it won’t be an easy task. Meanwhile, Chinese state media Global Times warned the European Union that an extended war in Ukraine could lead to its break-up. SCMP, The Times, 19 April
The SCMP’s Finbarr Bermingham breaks down the recent spike in trade between Russia and China, as reported in The Guardian last week:
China and Solomon Islands sign security deal ahead of US visit. Wang Yi, Chinese foreign minister, and his Solomon Islands counterpart Jeremiah Manele signed the deal “in recent days”, China’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday. Kurt Campbell, the US’s top Asia official, and Daniel Kritenbrink, the top state department Asia official, are set to visit the Solomon Islands this week. US and Australian officials have said the agreement appears to leave the door open for China to send military forces to the islands. FT, Nikkei Asia, 19 April
Hong Kong's elite join John Lee’s leadership bid as YouTube bans campaign channel. Hong Kong's sole leadership candidate John Lee has picked nearly 150 heavyweights, including the city's richest man Li Ka-shing and other powerful businessmen and politicians, to join his advisory teams to show broad support for his bid to replace Chief Executive Carrie Lam on July 1. Meanwhile, YouTube has terminated Lee’s campaign channel, citing the need to comply with US sanctions placed on the former official. Reuters, SCMP, 20 April
Shanghai hopes Covid tide turning as shutdowns extend across China. Shanghai reported on Wednesday no new cases of Covid-19 outside quarantined areas in two districts, raising hopes that the tide was turning in its battle against the epidemic. While global attention has fallen on Shanghai, where 27 million people have been cooped up in their homes for weeks in China’s largest lockdown, there are over 20 other Chinese cities now under lockdowns or heavy restrictions on movement, according to Caixin. Reuters, NYT, 19 April
UK extends anti-dumping duties on China-made glass fibre used in turbines, electric vehicles. The government said it is planning to keep in place anti-dumping measures on continuous filament glass fibre from China to protect its own manufacturers and industry. The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), an agency created following Britain’s exit from the EU, is reviewing tariffs on a series of products made in China and has already extended similar provisions on cold rolled flat steel and wire rod. SCMP, 20 April
UK-Indonesia agree ‘Partnership Roadmap 2022 to 2024’. Gov.uk, 19 April
Taiwan seeks Indo-Pacific Economic Framework membership. Reuters, 19 April
Star Ferry, ‘emblem of Hong Kong,’ may sail into history after 142 years. NYT, 19 April
China focus
China’s population falling a decade earlier than predicted. The number of people aged 65 and older surpassed 14 per cent of the total in 2021, making China an “aged” society, rather than an “ageing” one, Zheng Bingwen, director of international social security studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said. “The adverse impact of ageing is the slowdown in economic growth,” he told a finance conference in Beijing. The Times, 19 April
China internet censors scramble as lockdown frustration sparks ‘creative’ wave of dissent. On WeChat, groups have shared the names and stories of people who died, either with Covid or because the lockdown delayed their access to healthcare. They have criticised local authorities and China’s continued commitment to zero-Covid as the world opens up, finding new ways to challenge the censorship system. The Guardian, 20 April
China keeps lending rates steady, opts for ‘targeted measures’ to help firms. SCMP, 20 April
China’s top science academy scraps subscription to biggest research database. Caixin, 19 April
Opinion & editorial
Fear, paranoia, anger – this is life under China’s zero-Covid strategy. The threat of Omicron in no way justifies this draconian response. The state’s priority is its image, not people’s lives. Anonymous. The Guardian, 19 April
The deal that shocked the world: inside the China-Solomons security pact. How did a secret agreement that expands Chinese influence over Solomon Islands come about, and what does it mean for the region? Kate Lyons and Dorothy Wickham. The Guardian, 20 April
China’s Taiwan plans may get faster and deadlier. Russian mistakes offer some warnings for Beijing’s ambitions. Bonny Lin and John Culver. Foreign Policy, 19 April
Why China has its eye on the Falklands. Beijing has proclaimed support for Argentina’s claims to the Falkland Islands, smacking of Cold War-era tactics to create geopolitical blocs. Michael Auslin. The Spectator, 16 April
Long reads
Pro-CCP inauthentic social media accounts shift focus to the Quad. Albert Zhang. ASPI, 19 April
China: credibility of UN human rights chief’s visit at risk. Human Rights Watch, 19 April
China economy: 5 defining moments over the past 25 years. Frank Tang. SCMP, 19 April