CRG Event
Innovation mercantilism: What China’s unfair economic policies are doing to Western economies with Robert Atkinson.
Monday 28 September, 1-2pm
Robert Atkinson is President of the Innovation Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF). He is one of the world’s leading thinkers on innovation policy, and a former adviser to the Clinton, Bush, and Obama administrations in the US.
To register for the Zoom webinar, please email julia@chinaresearchgroup.org.
International
Former British spy and European Commission official under investigation for selling information to China. Politico reported that Fraser Cameron, a former MI6 spy, is being probed by the UK and Belgian intelligence agencies over a suspected influence-buying operation in China. Cameron, who runs the EU-Asia Centre think tank in Brussels, is accused of selling sensitive information to Chinese spies. He denies the allegations. Politico, FT, BBC, 18 September
China repeatedly breaches Taiwan buffer zone, Global Times calls combat drills a “rehearsal for Taiwan takeover” as tensions rise. China’s continued its military aggression with repeated breaches of the Taiwan’s buffer zone on Friday. Global Times published an incendiary editorial on Friday that said PLA combat drills were a “rehearsal for Taiwan takeover” intended to deter continued “US-Taiwan collusion”. Bloomberg, FT, Global Times, 20 September
China unveils punishments for firms on “unreliable entity list”, which includes restrictions on trading or investing in China. Although the Chinese government has not confirmed which firms will be blacklisted, Global Times reported in August that FedEx and HSBC are potential targets. HSBC’s share price has fallen to its lowest level since 1995 today, following weekend media coverage of its involvement in facilitating a Ponzi scheme. SCMP, Bloomberg, BBC, Global Times, 20 September
Dominic Raab urged to extend legal protection for Hongkongers. The Times, 21 September
Indian police arrest local journalist on suspicion of spying for China, accused of passing on sensitive information about disputed border. FT, 20 September
UN set to become latest forum for US-China rivalry and Donald Trump and Xi Jinping prepare to address General Assembly this week. SCMP, 19 September
Western Australia space tracking station to cut ties with China. The Guardian, 21 September
Pope Francis ‘naive’ in deal with China to name bishops. The Times, 19 September
Economy & tech
Trump approves deal between Oracle and TikTok, may include Walmart. NYT, The Guardian, 20 September
China’s export machine comes roaring back to life, with coronavirus driving demand for electronics and medical equipment. FT, 21 September
China and Russia are ahead in the global coronavirus vaccine race, bending long-standing rules as they go. Washington Post, 20 September
Judge blocks Trump bid to remove WeChat from stores over China fears. The Guardian, 20 September
China’s pork reserves running out as prices soar, analysts say. FT, 21 September
Longer reads & opinion
The WeChat ban is a difficult but necessary step toward openness in China. WeChat runs on a technology of tyranny that combines algorithms of surveillance, repression and distraction. Washington Post, 18 September
The good times with China are over. Get used to it. Sydney Morning Herald, 19 September
Opinion: The west should heed Napoleon’s advice and let China sleep. FT, 20 September
Can Cambodia fill the gap left by EU sanctions with China FTA? Nikkei Asian Review, 20 September
TikTok tussle shows the uneven economic ‘decoupling’ that has accelerated between U.S. and China. Washington Post, 20 September
America’s domination of oil and gas will now cow China. The Economist, 17 September
FT View: China’s assertiveness is against its economic interests. FT, 18 September
Bloomberg New Economy: China is winning the trade war with Trump. Bloomberg, 19 September
China's white paper on forced labour suggests unease at western pressure. The Guardian, 18 September
China’s epic dash for PPE left the world short on masks. Bloomberg, 17 September