China News - 24 February 2021
International
US and allies to build 'China-free' tech supply chain. Biden is set to sign an executive order as early as this month to accelerate efforts to build supply chains that are less reliant on China for chips, EV batteries, rare earth metals and medical products. Plans will emphasise partnership with the likes of Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. Nikkei, FT (Tech Asia), NYT, 24 February
More details emerge on proposed Hong Kong electoral reforms. The NPC is expected to move to create a high-level group of government officials with the legal authority to investigate every candidate for public office and determine whether each candidate is genuinely loyal to Beijing, reports the NYT. The WSJ has more details on the proposed electoral changes, which will be voted on at the legislative session in March. SCMP, 23 February
Lords vote for third time on genocide amendment. Yesterday, the House of Lords backed a cross-party amendment to the Trade Bill by 367 to 214. The amendment would allow a parliamentary panel of judicial experts to make an initial determination on whether genocide had been carried out by a signatory to an agreement. Sky News, Independent, 23 February
China would welcome UN Human Rights Council visit ‘because there is no genocide in Xinjiang’. SCMP, 23 February
Strip China of Olympic winter games, say Canada MPs as they vote for motion to boycott. The Times, 24 February
Turkey’s Uighurs fear betrayal over Chinese vaccines and trade. FT, 24 February
Dropout rate at Hong Kong schools increases as families leave. 1,474 fewer pupils were enrolled in the system in the July-November period. The Times, 24 February
Evidence at yesterday’s Defence Committee hearing on China’s military ambitions: HMS Queen Elizabeth faces a high risk of 'incidents' in the South China Sea. The Telegraph, 24 February
China focuses on Africa energy as Belt and Road lending dries up. FT, 24 February
China watch
Xi leads fight against poverty, as he attends event marking country’s accomplishments in poverty eradication. Xinhua, 23 February
Woman awarded $7,700 for five years of housework in China divorce ruling. The Guardian, 24 February
Mayor, Party Secretary detained over Shandong mine explosion. Sixth Tone, 24 February
Five Eyes today’s axis of white supremacy: Global Times editorial. Global Times, 23 February. Essential companion - facts and myths about Global Times in Beijing Channel.
Economy and tech
Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt stresses ‘urgency’ in countering China on artificial intelligence. The US is ‘one or two years ahead of China, not five or 10’ and ‘the Chinese are well ahead in areas like face recognition,’ says Schmidt. SCMP, 24 February
Bytedance hires 40,000 employees last year - more than Tencent - in rapid expansion. Caixin, SCMP, 23 February
Beijing is exploring digital yuan cross-border payments by joining with Hong Kong, Thailand, UAE and the Bank of International Settlements. SCMP, 24 February
China Three Gorges to buy 400MW wind portfolio in Spain. Renew, 24 February
Longer reads and opinion
I helped build ByteDance's censorship machine. Protocol, 18 February
China military may face tough year ahead as Beijing tightens purse strings. SCMP, 24 February
The West is losing out to China and Russia in vaccine diplomacy. The Telegraph, 23 February