China News - 24 February 2022
International
China seeks action to end rising Ukraine crisis as Putin gives order for military operation. At the UN Security Council, Chinese ambassador Zhang Jun reiterated calls for a “peaceful solution”, while neither endorsing nor condemning Russia’s declaration of independence for Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions or Putin’s decision to send troops. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Hua Chunying took the opportunity to blame the US for “driving NATO expansion eastward.” SCMP, Independent, Xinhua (via Twitter), 24 February
China ready to soften Russian economic blow from Ukraine sanctions. FT, 24 February
You’re safe from invasion, Beijing reassures Taiwan. The Telegraph, 23 February
UK draws up plans to counter Chinese investment in the Commonwealth. The Telegraph understands that the Foreign Office’s upcoming Development Strategy, expected in the next month, will focus on providing investment and projects in countries where China is providing cheap infrastructure. The Government will target countries in Southeast Asia and the Caribbean that have become increasingly dependent on China, which has invested £685 billion across 42 Commonwealth countries since 2005. The Telegraph, 23 February
Minister for Asia outlines the latest on UK-China Strategy and capabilities. The Government’s Minister for Asia, Amanda Milling, has shared details on how the British Government engages with China on a political, economic and societal level. Milling’s letter was in response to the Lords International Relations & Defence Committee’s UK-China inquiry and includes information on PPE, policy, and trade. Beijing to Britain, 23 February
EU to punish rights abuses in supply chains, with forced labour ban to follow. New legislation will see large companies operating in the EU slapped with large fines for human rights and environmental abuses in their supply chains, with a separate ban on the import or marketing of goods made using forced labour set to follow. SCMP, 23 February
‘China Initiative’: US rebadges Trump-era scheme seen as persecuting Chinese academics. The US justice department is scrapping the name of a Trump-era initiative that was intended to crack down on economic espionage by China but has been criticised as unfairly targeting Chinese professors at American colleges. The Guardian, NYT, 24 February
Australia PM gambles on anti-China strategy to lift poll numbers. Bloomberg, 23 February
‘Actively develop friendship’: China’s new ambassador to Australia strikes softer tone. The Guardian, 24 February
Myanmar junta received weapons from Russia, China and Serbia. The Times, 23 February
Economy & tech
China’s yuan becomes unlikely haven as geopolitics roil markets. Traders and analysts see a limited short-term impact from the Russia-Ukraine crisis, while further western sanctions against Moscow could even benefit the currency in the long run. Bloomberg, 24 February
Taipei, Washington on same page when it comes to curbing Beijing’s semiconductor expansion. Taiwan is increasingly aligning its policies with Washington to reshape existing value chains, a process that could limit mainland China’s access to know-how and talent. SCMP, 24 February
China’s boost to coal and steel alarms climate researchers. Coal-fired plants started in 2021 will add 33 gigawatts of capacity, nearly three times more than the rest of the world, as renewable energy increase not enough to meet new demand. Caixin, 24 February
Wind industry warns EU to take urgent action as China rises. Bloomberg, 24 February
Beijing loosens new mobile payment rules to put small businesses at ease. Caixin, 23 February
China focus
Hong Kong turns to emergency powers to allow in doctors from mainland China. Chief Executive Carrie Lam has likened Hong Kong’s fight against the fifth wave of Covid-19 to a “wartime environment,” and said that existing laws would not stand in the way of the city’s anti-epidemic effort. The Guardian, HKFP, 24 February
China’s middle class worries about the future under Xi Jinping’s ‘common prosperity’ initiative. Heavy-handed regulation coupled with a slowing economy has some middle-class citizens worried about their livelihoods. SCMP, 23 February
Coronavirus: fourth Sinopharm shot won’t boost protection against Omicron, study finds. SCMP, 24 February
China’s Ukraine crisis - opinion & long reads
The Ukraine crisis is a major challenge for China. Now that Russia has dispensed with all such restraint where does that leave China's official position as clashes escalate? Stephen McDonnell. BBC, 24 February
China’s vague stance on Russia’s Ukraine attack contrary to its core interest. The limits of China’s new, more muscular, foreign policy have grown more apparent. Alessandro Arduino. SCMP, 24 February
Ukraine conflict will have a significant impact on Asia. Look for the crisis to consolidate alignment among Asia's democracies. James Stavridis. Nikkei Asia, 24 February
Games changer: How China is rewriting global rules and Russia is playing along. Janka Oertel. European Council on Foreign Relations, 23 February