China News - 23 February
International
Canadian MPs back vote to declare ‘Uyghur genocide’. Canadian politicians have voted overwhelmingly by 266-0 to declare that China is committing genocide against the Uyghurs, becoming the second country in the world to do so. Justin Trudeau and his cabinet abstained from the vote. The motion passed also calls for the 2022 Winter Olympics to be moved from Beijing. The Times, SCMP, 23 February
Dominic Raab’s address to the UN Human Rights Council yesterday saw him call for independent investigators to be given “urgent and unfettered access” to Xinjiang. Raab warned of 'industrial scale' human rights abuses. The Telegraph, 22 February
Hong Kong plans to make politicians swear oath of loyalty to Beijing. Hong Kong’s government has announced electoral changes requiring office-holders to pledge and maintain an oath of loyalty to Hong Kong and Beijing, or face disqualification and a five-year ban on running for reelection. Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam said it is “crystal clear” that Beijing needs to reform the financial hub’s electoral system. The Guardian, The Times, Bloomberg, 23 February
Hong Kong BNO visa: UK government launches digital process today. Hongkongers will be able to apply for a visa via smartphone app, in a move expected to pave the way for a boost in applications. Gov announcement, 23 February
US ban on China’s Xinjiang cotton fractures fashion industry supply chains as companies look to eliminate Xinjiang cotton. The fashion industry is beginning to see the effects of the US’ unprecedented ban of Xinjiang cotton. Last month, Chinese cotton yarn maker Huafu Fashion issued a warning about cancelled American orders. Washington Post, 23 February
Top EU diplomats step up criticism of China’s crackdown on Hong Kong. Hong Kong was high on the agenda of the EU Foreign Affairs Council’s meeting on Monday. SCMP, 23 February
US State Department to support Australian push to tackle China's 'human and labour rights abuses’. It has offered qualified support for a new Australian bill to ban imports from the Xinjiang region. The Guardian, 22 February
China looks to solidify relations with Uganda as West mulls sanctions for election. SCMP, 23 February
Warmer world lets Russian ship cross frozen Arctic on return from China, for the first time in February. The Times, 23 February
China watch
China’s food security at core of Beijing’s new five-year rural-revitalisation plan, set to be launched today. Since 2003, the “No 1 document” for agriculture and rural affairs has been the first major policy announcement of the year. This year’s update calls for self-reliance in agricultural technologies to boost yields, which has been widely interpreted as potential support for GMOs. Sixth Tone, SCMP, Xinhua (CN), 23 February
China’s ‘two sessions’: why this year’s event is so important for Xi Jinping’s vision for the future. Next month’s meeting of the NPC and CPPCC coincides with the CCP’s centenary. SCMP, 21 February
State Council calls for green, low-carbon and circular development. State Council, 22 February
Xi Jinping urges era of exploration as China nears launch of first space station module. SCMP, 23 February
Economy & tech
HSBC focuses on China after profit fall by 34%. HSBC has unveiled plans to invest an extra $6bn (£4.3bn) in Asian markets such as China and Hong Kong over the next five years. The Telegraph, Guardian, 23 February
Chinese spies used code copied from America’s NSA for hacking operations, researchers say. Reuters, 22 February
China's Weibo hires banks for Hong Kong secondary listing, sources say. Reuters, 22 February
Longer reads & opinion
What China thinks of the UK. Why Sino-British understanding is not as two way as it should be. What China Wants, 23 February
Vaccine diplomacy: A deeper look into the planning and investment into China’s “Health Silk Road”. WSJ, 21 February
As a Holocaust survivor, I know we all need to speak out against genocide. The Times, 23 February
Can China change the definition of human rights? Wang Yi’s speech yesterday at the UN Human Rights Council was the first time a Chinese government official had addressed the body. The Diplomat, 23 February
China's soft power push attracts scrutiny in UK. Lionel Barber in Nikkei Asia, 23 February
China's Political Discourse in 2020: China Media Project. A look at patterns in China’s political discourse over the past year. Sinocism, 23 February