China News - 24 November 2022
International
Covid: More clashes with Chinese police at Foxconn factory. Footage continued to spread on Chinese social media appearing to show protesters clashing with police in hazmat suits at a factory in Zhengzhou. Manufacturer Foxconn said it would work with staff and local government to prevent further violence and has has offered payouts of Rmb10,000 ($1,400) to newly recruited staff. On Wednesday, China again recorded its highest number of daily Covid cases since the pandemic began. BBC, 23 November
Foxconn Protests 2.0: Riots at Zhengzhou’s Foxconn factory as new workers enter and old problems remain. What’s On Weibo, 23 November
China’s exit from Covid Zero seen stretching beyond 2023. Bloomberg, 23 November
China and Japan agree to move on maritime dialogue and military hotline. Beijing and Tokyo have agreed to deepen their maritime dialogue, manage differences over Taiwan and their territorial disputes and open a military hotline, all in a diplomatic consultation just days after leaders of the Asian rivals met for the first time in three years. SCMP, 23 November
Cleverly wants new relationship with Africa. In an interview with the BBC, the Foreign Secretary said that as well nurturing its traditional allies and keeping a wary eye on its competitors, the UK needs to be a valuable partner in Africa and invest back in partner countries. "We recognise now there is a global competition of ideas," he said. "So we really have got to have a willingness to sell our ideas and why the values that underpin our democracy are the values of our partners as well," he added. BBC, 23 November
UK aid faces third major cut in 3 years, with £1.7 billion to be cut. The UK’s aid budget is set to be slashed for the third time in three years, with development organisations bracing for a £1.7 billion cut to be made in less than six months, and bigger cuts expected next year. Devex, 23 November
Taiwan president casts local election as referendum on her leadership. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Thursday cast this weekend's local elections as a referendum on her leadership, saying a vote for her party's candidates was a vote for her and her commitment to "take good care" of Taiwan and ensure peace with China. Reuters, 24 November
Fighting an exodus, Hong Kong faces a tough task to lure back young people. New visas and other measures aim to entice people after 140,000 workers fled Hong Kong amid a security crackdown. The Guardian, 24 November
Germany weighs harder line on China and its ‘massive human rights violations’. A draft copy of the upcoming German China Strategy, which is planned to be adopted early next year, also warns that the Chinese leadership "is willing and capable" to employ its market "as leverage" to extract concessions from other countries. Politico, 23 November
European Council president to visit China next month for summit with Xi. FT, 24 November
China focus
China’s state banks seek to boost property sector with $30bn in credit lines. China’s state-owned banks have launched a concerted effort to strengthen the finances of the country’s struggling property developers, with more than Rmb220bn ($30.7bn) being announced on Wednesday in new credit lines. The loans are a clear sign of greater government support for stronger players in the real estate sector. FT, 23 November
China’s record coal output to weigh on prices amid weak demand. China’s coal production is set to climb for the sixth year in a row, reaching a new record, as the Beijing government acts to ensure supplies in the top miner and consumer of the fuel, spurring further declines in prices. Caixin, 24 November
China claims youth gaming addiction resolved. The claim is made by the China Game Industry Group Committee, affiliated to the gaming regulator. Since August 2021, children have been banned from gaming for more than three hours a week. BBC, 23 November
Long reads & opinion
AI will shift power towards the autocrats. Democracy thrives on spreading wealth and ideas, two key qualities threatened by technology. James Marriott. The Times, 23 November
Europe's Indo-Pacific tilt is welcome, but it must be realistic. The most important thing is intelligent interaction, figuring out where progress is possible. Damien McElroy. The National News, 22 November
Lex in-depth: the cost of America’s ban on Chinese chips. June Yoon. FT, 24 November
Serbia's legal tug-of-war over Chinese surveillance technology (Part 2). Reid Standish. RFERL, 23 November