International
Japan aims to expand CPTPP trade pact as UK, China eye membership. “Japan will aspire for the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific through the early conclusion of the RCEP agreement and the steady implementation and expansion of the CPTPP as next year’s chair,” Suga said in his address to APEC. A spokesman for the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday his country was open to the idea of joining the CPTPP, while Britain earlier this year announced its intent to pursue accession to the pact. Reuters, 20 November
Canadian PM Trudeau’s main rival calls Chinese influence a grave 'threat'. Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole said yesterday that Canada must crack down on the growing influence of the Chinese communist regime, adding there's "no greater threat to Canada's interests than the rise of China" in global affairs. “The Trudeau government has been out of step and naive on China since the moment he was elected,” O’Toole added in an interview. As prime minister, O’Toole said he would not “sacrifice our security interests, our values, our alliances, just for trade opportunities.” CBC, Reuters, 20 November
China has given almost a million people experimental Covid vaccine, says company. Sinopharm chairman claims there has not been a single case of infection after inoculation of officials, students and workers heading overseas. The Guardian, 19 November
Saudi Arabia and Russia in tight race to become China's top oil supplier in 2020. Reuters, 19 November
China-led shift to electric vehicles to help end 'oil era' - study. Within 10 years, China could save more than $80 billion in annual oil import costs as new-energy vehicles (NEVs) become increasingly competitive, Carbon Tracker said. Reuters, 20 November
US environment protection chief to visit Taiwan in December, the third trip by a senior American official since August. SCMP, 20 November
Why commercial ties between Taiwan and China are beginning to fray, amid concerns about pricier labour and stiffer competition. The Economist, 19 November
China watch
China will set up a new joint task force backed by 17 central government ministries and departments to combat unfair competition. Caixin, 19 November
Coronavirus: China not the origin of the disease, top Chinese scientist says. He claimed says post-Sars monitoring systems meant the pathogen was first detected in Wuhan. SCMP, 20 November
Economy & tech
China’s economic recovery jeopardises Xi’s climate pledge. The country’s post-pandemic revival has been stoked by coal-powered industry. China’s industrial recovery means it is producing nearly 60% of the world’s steel, aluminium and cement this year. This coal-intensive recovery will make it hard to cut coal use, at a time when China pledged a pathway to decarbonisation, and as coal use is falling across the world. FT, Ember Climate, 20 November
Joyy shares jump after record plunge in wake of short-seller report that labelled a unit of US-listed Chinese technology company “a fraud”. FT, Muddy Waters report, 20 November
Interbank regulator steps in to stop bond issuers from buying their own debt in China. Caixin, 19 November
Rhodium’s briefing note Credibility in the Balance assesses the wider problem: SOE debt defaults have undermined the implicit guarantees investors have come to expect from state-owned enterprises and local governments. Rhodium, 19 November
China prepares to launch mission to collect moon rocks. The sequence is reminiscent of a crewed mission, and could be a test of software and systems that China will use for future human landings. The Guardian, 20 November
Longer reads & opinion
Costly competition: India playing into China’s hands. As Beijing lures New Delhi into a game of catch-up, India wastes resources that could be better spent elsewhere. Asia Times, 19 November
Letter: “Without huge government intervention to create a homegrown battery industry, buyers of electric vehicles in the UK will be at the mercy of China’s monopoly”. The Times, 20 November
Chaguan: China’s ties with America could be tested by North Korea. The Economist, 19 November
Why China could snarl global debt relief. China is the third body in the sovereign debt world. FT, 20 November
Donald Trump’s final act as president will be to goad the Chinese dragon. The Telegraph, 20 November