China News - 23 May 2022
International
Biden’s Asia tour: Biden says he would be willing to use force to defend Taiwan. “Yes. That is the commitment we made,” Biden said at a joint news conference in Tokyo when asked whether he was willing to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan. Shortly after, the White House said US policy had not changed and reiterated its commitment to its One China Policy. The Guardian, FT, Reuters, 23 May
Joe Biden to launch trade agreement with 12 Asian nations, including India. Biden is expected to unveil the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework on Monday afternoon in Tokyo after meeting Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on his first visit to Asia as US president. IPEF contains four pillars: trade; supply chains; clean energy and infrastructure; and tax and anti-corruption. FT, Nikkei, 23 May
Australia elects new PM. On Monday, Anthony Albanese said the relationship with China "will remain a difficult one". Analysts expect there to be little shift on Australia’s key China-related foreign policy positions: Albanese supported Aukus during his campaign, and today called Australia's alliance with the US "our most important along with our relationships in the region and our multilateral commitments". He also made renewable energy a key pillar of his election. Albanese and new Foreign Minister Penny Wong will fly to Tokyo on Tuesday for a Quad meeting. Sydney Morning Herald, Reuters, 23 May.
‘Quad’ security group plans system to track illegal fishing by China. FT, 23 May
China seeks more Pacific island security pacts. The FT reports that China is negotiating security deals with two additional island nations - Kiribati and one other - following a pact with the Solomon Islands, according to officials in the US and allied countries. Beijing has security deals with other countries in the region, including Fiji and Papua New Guinea, but its pact with the Solomons is much more far-reaching. FT, 22 May
Czechs considering 'all options' regarding China's 16+1 group. Foreign minister Jan Lipavsky said the initiative’s promises have not been fulfilled. Reuters, 20 May
Xinjiang in focus as UN rights chief arrives for China visit. The US State Department, human rights groups and IPAC legislators have all expressed concern about the legitimacy and transparency of the visit. SCMP, NYT, The Guardian, 21 May
Shanghai reopens some public transport after months-long Covid lockdown. However, the central Jing’An district has forced all shops to shut and residents to stay home. The Guardian, Reuters, 21 May
Economy & tech
Tencent billionaire Pony Ma airs frustration over economic impact of zero Covid. Bloomberg, 23 May
China triples solar investments as clean energy push accelerates. China invested $4.3bn in solar in the first four months of the year, up 204% on 2021. Bloomberg, 23 July
China spends far more than others to help favoured industries, report finds. A forthcoming report by CSIS will show China’s backing amounted to 1.73% of its GDP, signifiacntly higher than the US’ 0.39% and South Korea’s 0.67%. WSJ, 23 May
Chip supplier says China will struggle to develop EUV technology. FT, 23 May
China’s state-backed blockchain company is set to launch its first major international project. CNBC, 23 May
Long reads & weekend opinion
Pessimism engulfs the Chinese economy as foreign investment fades. James Kynge. FT, 20 May
A tale of misadventure on China’s atomic Belt and Road. Although CGN’s reactor has secured technical approval from the UK, there are few plans for construction. Merlin Boone. US-China Perception Monitor, 21 May
Is Studying Overseas Losing Its Allure for Chinese Students? Zhu Jingyi. Sixth Tone, 19 May
‘China is harvesting hair and organs from the Uyghurs – it’s a slow-motion genocide’. An interview with Nury Turkel. The Sunday Telegraph, 22 May