International
Hong Kong:
Over 200 Parliamentarians and former Prime Ministers from around the world condemn end of “one country two systems”. In an open letter headed by Chris Patten and Malcolm Rifkind, parliamentarians from many countries condemned the “‘flagrant breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration.” Press release
Thousands of Hong Kong protesters are tear-gassed by police. Daily Mail, 24 May
Hong Kong protesters rush to wipe phones before Beijing’s iron fist falls. Times, 23 May
State-run People’s Daily says “No external interference will be tolerated.” Twitter.
The Sunday Express suggested the UK was looking at grant refuge to Hong Kong residents. It says the PM told MPs he was considering it at Chequers earlier this year. The piece quotes Andrew Bridgen MP, saying the UK has a “moral obligation” to HK residents, particularly those with BN(O) passports. Express, 24 May
New UK legal advice could open door to Hong Kong citizens. Guardian, 24 May
US looks at sanctions on banks over Hong Kong. U.S. senators are introducing a bipartisan bill that would sanction Chinese party officials and entities who enforce the new national-security laws in Hong Kong & also penalise banks that do business with them. Wall St Journal, 21 May
HK Bar Association issues a statement challenging the proposed national security law. Twitter
UK planning to drop Huawei over new security concerns. Saturday’s Telegraph reported that “The Prime Minister has instructed officials to draw up plans that would see China’s involvement in the UK's 5G network reduced to zero” by 2023. The Mail on Sunday reported that “Boris Johnson is to ‘look again’ at his decision to allow controversial Chinese tech giant Huawei to build more than a third of Britain’s superfast 5G broadband network, amid fresh concerns by spy agencies.” It reports that loss of access to US chips are prompting a rethink: “Chips currently manufactured for use in Huawei products use American technology, and Britain’s spies have warned No 10 that future Chinese alternatives cannot be trusted, scuppering plans to use their kit.” The BBC quotes a government spokesman: "The security and resilience of our networks is of paramount importance. Following the US announcement of additional sanctions against Huawei, the NCSC is looking carefully at any impact they could have to the UK's networks.” Telegraph, 22 May, Mail on Sunday, Express, BBC, 23 May
Sueddeutsche: UK dropping Huawei will have “huge” impact on German debate. The paper reports that Britain’s position had previously undermined arguments against Huawei, but this has now changed: “you could hear in Berlin again and again that if the British think Huawei is controllable, one could proceed similarly. This argument is no longer valid.” Sueddeutsche, 24 May
China warns Australia to distance itself from the US or “feel pain”. The NZ Times reports comments in the state run Global Times: “it would be extremely dangerous for Canberra to become a player in a diplomatic club led by the US, given Australia's high dependence on the Chinese economy”. The piece suggests Australia should: “reconsider its strategic relations with Washington.” It went on: “Australia's economic deterrent force is much smaller than the US', so China to some extent will enjoy more room to fight back against Australia… Australia may feel more pain than the US.” NZ Herald, 25 May
China is pitting EU countries against each other - Wolfgang Munchau, FT, 24 May
The US are the real Wolf Warriors. Global Times, 24 May
Chinese Foreign minister: “It’s time for the United States to give up its wishful thinking of changing China.” Guardian, Washington Post, 24 May
Chinese embassy in UK criticises Labour’s China spokesman, and says: “If you think China will be like you, that is your wishful thinking.” Twitter, 22 May
What explains the India-China border flare-up? The Hindu, 24 May
US ‘has a point’ about WHO flaws, says Germany’s health minister. FT, 24 May
“British academics being used in Chinese coronavirus propaganda, MPs warn”. Former security minister Sir John Hayes is making enquiries to the Home Secretary Priti Patel to ask her to look at the security implications of the Chinese government’s activities in British universities. Professor Thom Brooks, the Dean of Durham University said he would not appear on Chinese state media channel CGTN again. Sunday Express, 24 May
Promising early results for Chinese coronavirus vaccine. Daily Mail, 25 May
Economy / tech
UK draws up plans to restrict Chinese inward investment. As the government reviews inward investment rules, the FT reports on growing pressure for a new approach to China, including from Conservative MPs. In an op-ed in the FT, CRG Chair Tom Tugendhat writes that other western governments are tightening their rules and “Britain needs to bring its laws on foreign ownership in line with partners”. Financial Times, 24 May & Tugendhat op-ed
Chinese government pegs Yuan at lowest level since 2008. Bloomberg, Financial Review, 25 May
How will Huawei react to US sanctions? Forbes, 24 May
Huawei said to ask Samsung, SK Hynix for stable supply of memory chips. SCMP, 24 May
US legislation to hit China investments. “Over the years, American investors have been pumping billions of dollars into Chinese firms listed in the U.S., from giants like Alibaba and Baidu to emerging players like Pinduoduo and Bilibili. That could change soon with the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, a new bill passed this week with bipartisan support” TechCrunch, 24 May
Long reads
The Shenzhen effect: Why China's original 'model' city matters more than ever. CNN, 23 May
Social credit: City’s Plan for Permanent ‘Health Codes’ Sparks Online Backlash - Sixth Tone, 25 May
The West must stand up to China as its ruthless regime flexes its muscles - Nick Timothy, Telegraph, 25 May
We need a strategy for dealing with the bullies of Beijing - Edward Lucas, Times, 25 May
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