China News - 23 March 2021
Britain announces sanctions against China over Uyghur abuses. Britain joined with the US, Canada and the EU to announce a raft of sanctions on Chinese officials accused of “appalling” human rights violations against the Uyghurs. Dominic Raab, called the China’s policies in Xinjiang “one of the worst human rights crises of our time”. Five Eyes foreign minsters also made a statement “united in calling for China to end its repressive practices”. Beijing also announced sanctions on the EU as a countermeasure, targeting 6 MEPs and 4 entities, including independent think tank MERICS. The Telegraph, The Guardian, Raab statement in Commons, FT, 23 March
US and EU to revive joint effort to handle more assertive China. Antony Blinken, US secretary of state, will relaunch the US-EU China dialogue with Josep Borrell, EU foreign policy chief, on Wednesday in Brussels, according to people familiar with the plan. FT, 23 March
MP complains in Commons of being ‘bombarded’ by China on social media over BEIS Uyghur report. Conservative MP Nusrat Ghani told the Commons that “officials from the Chinese Embassy in London are accusing Members of Parliament, the committee - and, I therefore believe, the House - of lies.” The Independent, 22 March
France summons Beijing envoy in latest EU-China spat. France has summoned Lu Shaye to protest against “insults and threats” against French members of parliament and a researcher who defended the MPs’ right to go to Taiwan on a fact-finding mission. FT, 23 March
Russia seeks alliance with China to beat US sanctions. Sergey Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, on a visit to meet his counterpart Wang Yi in China, spoke of efforts to build “technological independence” and bypass western financial systems. The Times, SCMP, 23 March
Hong Kong promises investors its prized tax haven status is secure. Matthew Cheung, the city’s highest-ranking bureaucrat, also said Hong Kong’s judges would not have to swear a new oath to China and its ruling Communist party as the government cracks down on dissent in the city’s civil service. FT, 23 March
Second Canadian citizen goes on trial in China, with the court saying it would "choose a date to announce the verdict in accordance with the law."The Telegraph, 22 March
Defence review: UK cuts troop numbers to their lowest level since the early 1800s. MPs have met the defence review Politico, The Times, 23 March
Xi says China ready to work with DPRK to preserve peace on Korean Peninsula. Xinhua, 22 March
Economy & tech
Mastercard, SoftBank and others call on G7 to create tech group. FT, 22 March
150+ UK-China scientists confirm Beijing's air quality has improved significantly. Over 150 scientists spent five years conducting the project. Uni of Birmingham, 23 March
Longer reads & opinion
Britain's awkward balancing act in the China-US battle for AI supremacy. The integrated review also suggests technology standards will be an area where the UK expects to be active. The Telegraph, 23 March
Comment: As digital trade grows, so does western distrust of Beijing. James Kynge in the FT, 23 March
Comment: Britain's expanded nuclear arsenal has a vital role to play in reining in China. John Bolton in The Telegraph, 23 March
James Leibold on China’s Assimilationist Turn in Xi Jinping’s China. Asia Experts Forum, 18 March