China News 25 June 2020
International
China suggests it will free two Canadians if Canada allows Huawei executive Meng to return home. Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian commented on reports in the Canadian media on a legal opinion that says Ottawa has the authority to intervene in Ms. Meng’s extradition case and set her free immediately. He said: “Such options are within the rule of law and could open up space for resolution to the situation of the two Canadians.” A group of former Canadian MPs and diplomats suggested Canada should free Ms Meng as her imprisonment has “antagonised China”. Globe and Mail, CBC, 24 June
China defies court order over building of wall at Belfast consulate. China’s Embassy in London claims the construction project is covered by diplomatic immunity. Guardian, 24 June
Hong Kong:
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has said that she has not yet seen the new security law, expected in force from next week. She said: “we have not seen the complete details of the proposed legislation” Hong Kong Government, 23 June
HK government won’t rule out indefinite detention without charge under new law. RTHK, 24 June
Beijing’s plan to let Hong Kong leader select judges contravenes Basic Law, says Bar Association. HKFP, 24 June
Judges with ‘dual allegiance’ because of foreign nationality should not handle national security cases, Beijing says. SCMP, 24 June
China not to sit idle if U.S. deploys intermediate-range missiles in Asia Pacific: military spokesperson. Xinhua, 24 June
China is reshaping the global news landscape and weakening the Fourth Estate. In the Guardian Louisa Lim and Julia Bergin argue that, “Beijing’s involvement in media overseas is growing almost faster than it can be tracked – the ultimate aim is both ideological and geopolitical.” Guardian, 25 June
Economy / tech
China releases new negative lists for foreign investment. The number of sectors that are off-limits for foreign investors will be cut from 40 to 33 in the 2020 version of the negative list. Xinhua, 24 June & 2019 negative list.
US lists firms owned by Chinese military, opening way to sanctions on them. The list includes Huawei, Hikvision and a variety of aerospace firms. Two of the companies on the list, China General Nuclear Power Group and China National Nuclear Corporation, are due to build a planned nuclear power station at Bradwell in the UK. BBC, FT, 25 June & Full List
Last minute calls to delay Huawei research facility in Cambridge as deadline looms. Telegraph, Times, 23 June
Singapore picks Nokia & Ericsson over Huawei. Reuters, 24 June
US State Department welcomes countries choosing alternatives to Huawei. It said: “Examples include the Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden, Estonia, Romania, Denmark, and Latvia. Recently, Greece agreed to use Ericsson rather than Huawei to develop its 5G infrastructure. Some of the largest telecom companies around the globe are also becoming “Clean Telcos.” We’ve seen this with Orange in France, Jio in India, Telstra in Australia, SK and KT in South Korea, NTT in Japan, and O2 in the United Kingdom. A few weeks ago, the big three telecommunications companies in Canada decided to partner with Ericsson, Nokia, and Samsung, because public opinion was overwhelmingly against allowing Huawei to build Canada’s 5G networks.” State Department, 24 June
U.S.-China Tensions Leave Germany Squirming in the Middle. WSJ, 24 June
China-EU FDI Radar. Map of Chinese inward investment in Europe supported by the Netherlands & EU. Dattenna, 24 June
China braces for more flooding as torrential rains forecast. SCMP, 24 June
Longer reads & comment
How Xi Jinping is Ruining China's Dream of a Century of Dominance - Azeem Ibrahim, National Interest, 23 June
Contain China if Necessary, but Emulate Features of its Industrial Policy - Marshall Auerback. American Compass, 24 June
Axios feature on the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act. Axios, 24 June
Europe’s pushback on China. Insitut Montaigne
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