China News - 25 February 2022
International
China’s Ukraine crisis
Senior Research Fellow at MGIMO University Igor Denisov unpacks Beijing’s thinking on Ukraine, tapping into expert insights from mainland China:
Biden takes veiled swipe at China in condemning Russia backers on Ukraine. US President Joe Biden on Thursday said any country that backed Russia's onslaught in Ukraine would be "stained by association," after China rejected calling Moscow's move an invasion. China's foreign ministry hit back, saying that it was countries that interfered in the domestic affairs of others that would see their reputations stained. Reuters, The Telegraph, 25 February
The Ukraine crisis, China, and the United Kingdom. Political and media reaction through a UK-China lens, and how that relates to current and future relations. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is due to call Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi today. Beijing to Britain, 24 February
China leaves Russia’s war off front pages as Xi stays silent. Bloomberg, 25 February
With eye on Ukraine invasion, Taiwan warns off Chinese jets in its air defence zone. Daily Mail, 24 February
UK Government commits to expanding BNO scheme for those born after 1997. Today, the UK Government has announced its intention to expand the BNO Visa Scheme in October 2022 for those Hong Kongers born on or after 1997 who have one BNO parent. This is in line with the provisions in CRG MP Damian Green’s amendment to the Nationality and Borders Bill and will enable young Hong Kongers to directly register for the scheme. Hong Kong Watch, Reuters, 24 February
Coronavirus: British, Australian consulates in Hong Kong raise ‘serious concern’ over separation of parents and babies. British Consul General Brian Davidson says he has challenged local authorities ‘about how unacceptable and damaging it is to separate infants from parents’, following news that a British mother was separated from her 11-month-old baby girl. SCMP, 24 February
Chinese vice premier stresses high-quality development of Belt and Road Initiative. At a meeting of the leading group for promoting the BRI, Han Zheng called for greater alignment of the BRI and China's major strategies and coordinated development, to offer more support for the country's dual circulation development paradigm, where domestic and overseas markets reinforce each other. Xinhua, 24 February
Economy & tech
Beijing says no immediate plan to intervene as oil prices soar. When asked if China would be willing to release crude from its strategic reserves should the US seek more coordinated sales to quell prices, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday that Beijing would consider a move only when the geopolitical situation has stabilised. Bloomberg, 24 February
China's property market expected to rebound this year. Shaken by a liquidity crunch among developers, China's property market is expected to stay soft in the first half of 2022 before rebounding later in the year as policies aimed at encouraging buyers helps sentiment recover, a Reuters poll showed. Reuters, 25 February
Alibaba reports slowest quarterly sales growth since 2014 listing. FT, 24 February
China’s anti-graft body criticises central bank, regulators. Bloomberg, 24 February
Tesla plans new factory in Shanghai that would double China production to a million cars a year. SCMP, 25 February
China focus
China’s annual rural policy roadmap urges better protection for women and children. The No. 1 document (link in Chinese), jointly issued Tuesday by the State Council and the Central Committee of the Communist Party, mentioned the need to effectively improve rural governance and maintain safety and stability, requiring a harsh crackdown on illegal acts and crimes that violate and harm the rights of women and children. Caixin, 24 February
A story of a trafficked bride shocks China. Chaguan - The Economist, 25 February
China's push for delayed retirement kicks off as pension costs grow. Nikkei Asia, 25 February
Long reads
China faces irreconcilable choices on Ukraine. Beijing’s strategy has been more supple in the past, so its evolution suggests that it has dramatically leaned toward Moscow. Evan Feigenbaum. Carnegie Endowment, 24 February
Parallels with Taiwan colour Asian views of the war in Ukraine. Some fear a Chinese invasion has become more likely. Banyan - The Economist, 25 February
Who will make it onto China’s top leadership body in 2022? Jonathan Brookfield. The Diplomat, 25 February
China’s content moderators are overworked and chronically stressed. Luo Meihan. Sixth Tone, 25 February