China News - 23 September 2020
International
China pledges to be carbon-neutral by 2060. President Xi made the surprise announcement yesterday at the UN General Assembly, marking a significant change in China’s climate change policy. Xi said that China would aim to hit peak emissions by 2030 and to be carbon-neutral by 2060. China is the world’s biggest source of carbon dioxide emissions, responsible for around 28% of global emissions. BBC, FT, NYT, 22 September
US House of Representatives passes Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act almost unanimously. The legislation, which now moves to the Senate, requires any importer of Xinjiang-sourced products to actively prove they were not made using forced labour. Hong Kong Free Press, SCMP, 23 September
Rising Chinese influence linked to Barbados move to remove Queen as Head of State. The Times, 23 September
US-China tensions flare at UN Assembly over coronavirus as Trump demands the UN to “hold China accountable” over coronavirus. BBC, The Times, Global Times
Opinion: China is escalating its punishment diplomacy. Jamil Anderlini in FT, 23 September
Hong Kong moves to restrict press accreditation, giving police more power over local journalists. Quartz, 22 September
Hong Kong activists detained in mainland China denied family access. FT, 20 September
Global Times editorial: One language to unite all ethnic groups. Global Times, 22 September
Economy & tech
China poised to block TikTok sale. The Times, 23 September
China is behind billion dollar debt restructure for Angola, analysts say. SCMP, 22 September
Huawei plans more cuts to jobs, investment in Australia. Reuters, 23 September
EU companies are selling surveillance tools to China’s human rights abusers, new Amnesty report finds. Amnesty, TechCrunch, 22 September
Plagiarising academic papers can now negatively affect an individual’s social credit score in China. Sixth Tone, 22 September
Longer reads & opinion
China’s “Big Cannon” blasted Xi. Now he’s been jailed for 18 years, underscoring Xi Jinping’s crackdown on dissent among the elite. NYT, 22 September
In Biden, China sees an “old friend” and a possible foe. NYT, 22 September
Report: China Economic Risk Matrix - analysing systemic risks to China’s economy. Rhodium Group, 22 September
China’s stake in the Afghan peace process: China’s influence in a strategically important country will only grow as US troops leave. The Diplomat, 22 September