China News 22 May 2020
International
Beijing ends “one country, two systems” - plans to bypass legislature to impose national security law in Hong Kong. Beijing is preparing to impose national security legislation on Hong Kong which has been blocked by pro-democracy demonstrations since 2003. The Communist Party will draft the legislation and enter it directly into Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, or Basic Law, in a process bypassing the city’s Legislative Council, or Legco. The law would ban “seditious activities” and “external interference.”
Tanya Chan, a pro-democracy lawmaker in Hong Kong, said: “It is the saddest day in Hong Kong history. It confirms one country, one system.” The FT reports one member of Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing establishment saying that “Passing [national security legislation] in Legco is not an option now… Waiting any longer is also not an option.” The FT notes that “Pro-democracy candidates swept lower-level district council elections in November.”
The move prompted international criticism. The Canadian Foreign Minister said he was “very concerned”. Donald Trump said “if it happens, we’ll address that very strongly.” A statement from the EU said: “we attach great importance to 'One country Two Systems’ principle.” The UK said: “We expect China to respect Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms and high degree of autonomy.”
The state run Global Times quoted an expert saying “Previously, some people always had this delusion that the central government would not take aggressive and decisive measures as it is afraid of a public backlash in Hong Kong or US sanctions…. This strong signal is also a serious warning to Taiwan authorities and other separatist forces overseas.” Mingpao quotes a Chinese think tank suggesting the law should stop anyone who has taken part in protests or supported self government for Hong Kong from standing for LegCo. Nikkei Asia Review says Beijing will also set up new security agencies in the city. The Wall Street Journal reports on Beijing’s attempts to shut down Hong Kong’s pro-democracy news outlet Apple Media.
The Economist reports on changes to Hong Kong’s education system, including a “website for pro-government tip-offs now offers rewards for reports about teachers who spread dangerous ideas.”
Guardian, FT, BBC News, Bloomberg, SCMP, Economist, Global Times, Mingpao, Nikkei Asia Review, WSJ 22 May. The Guardian, 21 May.
Reactions:
“China’s national security proposal is an effective death sentence for Hong Kong”. The Telegraph, 22 May.
“The end of one nation, two systems in Hong Kong should be a wake-up call to the West that if it cannot hang together, it will surely hang separately.” The Times, 22 May
“Chris Patten: UK should tell China this is outrageous”. BBC, 21 May.
“Project Defend”: major UK government review looks to end strategic dependencies. The Times reports that “Boris Johnson has ordered civil servants to draw up plans codenamed Project Defend to end Britain’s reliance on China for vital medical supplies and other strategic imports in light of the coronavirus crisis.” The initiative, led by Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, could lead to the government intervening to support the “repatriation” of key manufacturing capabilities such as pharmaceuticals as part of a new national resilience framework. The Times, 22 May
FT: What did Xi know about coronavirus when? The FT has a detailed article on Beijing’s early handling of the crisis. It quotes Ren Zhiquiang, saying “if there was freedom of speech citizens could have taken measures to protect themselves.” Zhiquiang has since been detained by the party’s discipline inspection commission. FT, 21 May
Trudeau: Beijing doesn’t understand our courts are independent. China says Canada must free Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, who is fighting extradition to the United States. The Canadian PM said: “Canada has an independent judicial system that functions without interference or override by politicians. China doesn’t work quite the same way and (doesn’t) seem to understand that we do have an independent judiciary.” SCMP, Reuters, 22 May. The Guardian, 21 May.
“A Cold War Is Heating Up in the South China Sea”. Bloomberg, 21 May.
China - India tensions in the Himalayas. FT, 21 May
“Big wall of Belfast sparks row between residents, city council and China”. Guardian, 21 May
Economy/tech
“The U.S. and its allies need a NATO for trade” In the Washington Post former Obama advisor Robert Atkinson and Reagan advisor Clyde Prestowitz write that “Chinese economic aggression requires that the United States and its allies form a NATO for trade.” Washington Post, 21 May
US national security panel orders breakup of joint venture between Chinese investors California robotics firm. WSJ, 21 May
US pressure building on Hikvision over human rights abuses. IPVM, 21 May
Sino-American friction expands into stock markets. CNBC, 22 May.
Baidu considers leaving the US Nasdaq to move “closer to home” Reuters, 21 May
Australia fears Beijing will hit coal and iron ore. The Chinese government’s trade war on Australia is threatening to spill over to its most valuable export – iron ore – with China’s customs officials imposing new inspection procedures and rules from next month. Reports now suggest China is prepared to take the fight into a new sector as Chinese state-owned power plants have been warned not to buy thermal coal from Australia. The Guardian, 22 May & Guardian 21 May
How bad are China’s economic problems? BBC News, 22 May.
Beijing drops growth target, but announces 6.6% rise in military spending. FT, 22 May.
Long reads
The right and wrong ways for the US to support Taiwan. ChinaFile, 19 May
Report on Beijing’s spying in Africa. “Chinese companies have constructed or renovated (or both) at least 186 sensitive African government buildings; Chinese telecommunications firms have built at least 14 intra-governmental, “secure” telecommunications networks; and the Chinese government has gifted computers to at least 35 African governments.” - Heritage Foundation