China News - 25 February 2021
International
Beijing 2022: Boris Johnson rejects boycott call over Uighur 'genocide'. Boris Johnson has rejected calls to boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics over China's treatment of the Uyghur people. In a response to a question from Lib Dem leader Ed Davey, Johnson said the UK did not "normally" support sporting boycotts. BBC, Reuters, 25 February
China's Xi trumpets 'victory' in campaign to end rural poverty. Chinese President Xi Jinping celebrated “complete victory” in the effort to eradicate rural poverty on Thursday. In an hour-long speech, Xi hailed what he called a testament to the party’s leadership and the advantages of China’s political system. Reuters, SCMP, Xinhua, 25 February
China starts informal talks with CPTPP countries in membership pursuit. Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen said yesterday that the ministry has been conducting informal talks with some members of CPTPP, alongside an internal review. Caixin, 25 February
Hong Kong rolls out $15.5bn stimulus plan to boost economy. As part of the new budget, the government has allocated $1bn for “safeguarding national security”. Quartz, Nikkei Asia, 25 February
Biden and Trudeau call for renewed US-Canada partnership, including aligning on China. Trudeau also thanked Biden for reiterating US support for the release of two Canadians held by China, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig. White House, The Guardian, 24 February
Huawei chief criticises academic’s ‘false attack’ over 5G security risks. The chief executive of Huawei Ireland wrote a letter to Minister for Defence, criticising a University College Dublin academic who raised security concerns. Irish Times, 24 February
China rejects growing Western criticism at UN rights forum over Xinjiang. Reuters, 25 February
Top US Senate Democrat directs lawmakers to craft bill to counter China, capitalising on bipartisan support for more investment in research. Reuters, 25 February
US supports Japan's sovereignty over Senkakus: Pentagon. In a subtle but potentially significant shift, the US has referred to the "sovereignty" of the Senkaku Islands. Nikkei, 25 February
Belt and Road: China to push ahead with Hambantota port project amid reports of Sri Lanka having second thoughts. SCMP, 25 February
China denies requiring US diplomats to take anal swab tests, following complaints. Reuters, 24 February
China watch
China confirms Xie Zhenhua appointed as new special climate envoy. He was China’s chief negotiator at Copenhagen and Paris. Reuters, 24 February
Rural brain drain: China appeals to urban tech talent to move to the countryside. SCMP, 25 February
Comment: Growing trade means Britain cannot decouple from China. China Daily, 25 Feruary
Economy & tech
UK tech company sues Huawei and Goodix for patent infringement. A small British technology company, WaveTouch, has accused Huawei and Goodix, China’s largest developer of smartphone fingerprint sensors, of infringing on its technology and has launched legal proceedings against both companies. FT, 25 February
Europe looks to go it alone on microchips amid US-China clash. Alarmed by vulnerability to semiconductor shortages in the car industry, European policymakers have put together plans to reduce dependence. Politico, 25 February
GCHQ is preparing to use AI against cyber attacks and state actors, in a move announced on Wednesday. FT, 25 February
Australian exports to China drop 8% as iron ore purchases slashed. Caixin, 25 February
West looks on as China dominates global 5G market. New government data shows that China has 70% of the world’s base stations. Caixin, 25 February
Longer reads & opinion
How the UK’s Hong Kong visa offer could still fail refugees. Community groups fear the government is unprepared for one of its biggest immigration challenges since Windrush. New Statesman, 23 February
We can’t fall for China’s propaganda Olympics. David Aaronovitch in The Times, 24 February
A demerger is HSBC's only way to solve its Hong Kong problem. Nils Pratley in The Guardian, 23 February
How Xi Jinping is reshaping China and what it means for the West. Key findings from the WSJ’s coverage of China’s president. WSJ, 23 February
Analysis: Xi demands loyalty from powerful 'second-generation reds'. Leadership praises former president Hua Guofeng as model party member. Nikkei, 25 February
India's silence toward Myanmar shows its wariness of China. Nikkei Asia, 25 February