China News - 22 September 2020
International
Chinese authorities threatened to detain ABC journalist’s 14-year-old daughter. Matthew Carney, the ABC’s former China bureau chief, has broken his silence on how he and his family were intimidated by Chinese authorities in 2018 - including a warning that his 14-year-old daughter might be taken away to an undisclosed location to be interrogated. ABC, The Guardian, 21 September
New reports: China sharply expands mass labour program in Tibet. Reuters has corroborated evidence that the Chinese government has enrolled over half a million people in Tibet into mass labour projects. Tibetan rural laborers are sent to military-style training centres where they are turned into factory workers, bearing some concerning similarities to Xinjiang labour programmes. Reuters, Jamestown Brief, 22 September
Tibetan policeman in New York charged with acting as foreign agent for China. Federal prosecutors on Monday charged a New York City police officer with acting as an illegal agent of the Chinese government, accusing him of providing intelligence about Tibetans living in the United States to officials at the Chinese consulate. The Guardian, New York Times, 21 September
Taiwan and US set to start formal dialogue after Taipei talks with US delegation. Taipei Times, The Times, 22 September
Ren Zhiqiang: Ex-real estate tycoon, who disappeared after criticising Xi, gets 18 years jail on charges of corruption. BBC, 21 September
British universities charter jets to fly in thousands of Chinese students. The Times, 22 September
China military PR film mocked over 'Hollywood clips'. BBC, 21 September
Xi Focus: Xi expounds on UN's role in post-COVID era, opposing unilateralism, "boss of world" ahead of key UN address today. Xinhua, 21 September
Economy & tech
Ex-UK cyber chief warns of Chinese data grab, noting China’s attempts to develop a “competitive advantage” in AI. Politico, 21 September
Chinese cameras blacklisted by US being used across the UK, including leisure centres and school toilets. The Guardian, 21 September
Canada has abandoned free-trade talks with China, says foreign minister. SCMP, 21 Sepember
TikTok deal under new threat as Trump insists on total US control. BBC, 21 September
Longer reads & opinion
China and America’s rivalry heads to Manila: the US and China have both stepped up efforts to woo Manila. Inkstone, 21 September
The families of China’s pre-Communist elite remain privileged. The Economist, 19 September
US public opinion is changing the relationship with China. The Diplomat, 16 September
Opinion: It’s time to strip China of its trade status. Washington Post, 18 September
Politics today
10am - 12:30pm BST: UK MPs question TikTok for first time at Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee. Theo Bertram (Director of Public Policy at TikTok), Yuan Yuang (Beijing Deputy Bureau Chief at the FT), Rui MA (Co-Host, Tech Buzz China). Watch here.
2pm - 7:45pm BST: 75th UN General Assembly. President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump are expected to address the UN General Assembly early in the morning session, followed by a host of world leaders. Watch here.