China News - 25 March 2022
International
NATO leaders warn China: Don’t act as Russia’s enabler. At a meeting of NATO heads of state and government in Brussels on Thursday, the leaders zeroed in on fears that China could increasingly act as an enabler of the Kremlin - through arms, trade lifelines and disinformation. A statement released by NATO calls for China to ‘cease amplifying the Kremlin’s false narratives’ and use its influence to promote peace in Ukraine. US President Biden also called for Russia’s expulsion from the G20, a move that China has contested. Politico, The Times, 24 March
As the West turns away from Russian oil and gas, China steps up to strike new deals. China was already Russia’s biggest customer for coal, with purchases totalling 54 million tonnes last year. Provinces are now hoping to increase imports. EU officials also suspect that China may be ready to supply semiconductors and other tech hardware to Russia as part of an effort to soften the impact of sanctions. The Times, Bloomberg, 24 March
China’s ‘no-limit’ tie with Russia has bottom line, China envoy says. Caixin, 25 March
China abstains from UN vote blaming Russia for humanitarian crisis. SCMP, 25 March
China supports Solomon Islands in maintaining social order as concern over security pact grows. China backs the Solomon Islands in upholding social order, a foreign ministry spokesman told reporters on Friday, after Australia and New Zealand expressed concern about the impact on regional security of military cooperation between China and the Pacific nation. A shipment of replica firearms by China to Solomon Islands police has received domestic criticism. Reuters, The Guardian, 25 March
Frustration with Covid response grows in China as daily cases near 5,000. On Friday, health authorities reported 4,988 cases, with rising numbers of asymptomatic infections, which China records separately. “Why can’t China lift safety measure just like foreign countries?” was a top trending topic on Weibo, viewed more than 5.4 million times. The Guardian, 25 March
China’s push to isolate Taiwan demands action, says report. Chinese officials are ramping up a campaign to force United Nations agencies, governments, companies and even schools to say Taiwan is a part of China. NYT, 24 March
India tells visiting Chinese minister border disengagement key to resolving issues. Independent, 25 March
Hong Kong leader rejects barrister nominee to sensitive judges panel, appoints another. Reuters, 25 March
Economy & tech
Nearly 50% of foreign firms in Hong Kong plan to relocate staff. Nearly half of all European businesses in Hong Kong are considering relocating in the next year, according to a new report. Companies cite the local government’s extremely strict Covid-19 protocols that mirror those on the mainland. Bloomberg, 24 March
China factories set up ‘bubbles’ to ride out Covid lockdowns. The moves follow the success of some plants in maintaining output during the past two months despite the country’s biggest Covid-19 outbreak since the disease raged through the city of Wuhan in early 2020. FT, 25 March
China cuts items on 2022 negative list for market access. China's state planner on Friday cut the number of sectors and industries that are off-limits to both Chinese and foreign investors. Reuters, 25 March
US says hopes of resolution of audit impasse with China ‘premature’. FT, 24 March
BYD partners with Shell to expand electric vehicle charging network across China and Europe. SCMP, 24 March
Opinion & editorial
China has honed its justifications for taking Russia’s side. Deflection and anti-Americanism underpin Beijing’s argument. Chaguan - The Economist, 25 March
Why the corporate flight from Russia is no precedent for China. Businesses are unlikely to face similar pressures in an Asian crisis. Bhaskar Chakravorti. Foreign Policy, 23 March
Brave investors should be ready to give China another chance. Traders' sigh of relief over plans to stimulate the Chinese economy could be heard around the world. Tom Stevenson. The Telegraph, 24 March
Long reads
In a crucial year politically, Xi Jinping wants stability. The Economist, 25 March
Russian oil is the “soft underbelly” of China’s energy security. Mary Hui. Quartz, 24 March
Stiffening the ASEAN spine in the South China Sea. Arrizal Jaknanihan. Lowy Institute, 25 March