China News - 26 April
International
Foreign secretary outlines the UK’s position on China. The speech, delivered at Mansion House yesterday, calls for constructive relations.
James Cleverly: ‘we have an obligation to future generations to engage because otherwise we would be failing in our duty to sustain – and shape – the international order’. Gov.uk, 25 April
China’s vice-president, who oversaw the crackdown in Hong Kong, is expected to attend the king’s coronation. Han Zheng, the recently-appointed deputy to President Xi Jinping, was in charge of Hong Kong affairs for the Chinese government between 2018 and March this year. Eleni Courea. Politico, 26 April
String of arrests against Taiwanese residents in China:
Taiwanese activist faces ‘secession’ charges in China. Yang Chih-yuan was detained in Wenzhou last year. The case marks the first time a person from Taiwan will face separatist charges in a mainland court. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council has called for his release. Amber Wang and Lawrence Chung. South China Morning Post, 25 April
China reveals arrest of Taiwanese book publisher Li Yanhe. Li was born in China and relocated to Taiwan in 2009. He founded Gusa Press, which has published books that are critical of Beijing. Reports that he was missing emerged about a week ago, after returning to China to visit relatives. BBC, 26 April
China continues crackdown on espionage. Dong Yuyu, deputy head of the editorial department at Guangming Daly faces espionage charges after meeting Japanese diplomat, claim family. Helen Davidson. The Guardian, 25 April
Pending amendment to espionage law expected to be approved today. Once approved, the coverage of spying charges will be expanded from theft of ‘state secrets’ to ‘all data and items related to national security’. Asia Times, 26 April
US House of representatives unanimously approves resolution demanding release of detained US citizen. The House calls on China to release Mark Swidan, a businessman from Texas who was arrested on drugs charges in 2012 and received a death sentence. Mychael Schnell. The Hill, 25 April
FSB signs maritime security cooperation agreement with China. The Chinese Coast Guard and the FSB’ Border Guard are to cooperate on law enforcement matters in the Barents Sea and Arctic waters. Russia is currently the chair of the Arctic Coast Guard Forum, however other Arctic countries have refused to participate in joint maritime exercises this year. The Barents Observer, 25 April
India and China set to speed up border dispute resolution process. Defence ministers will meet in New Delhi this week. Jack Lau. South China Morning Post, 25 April
Economy & tech
US senators call on Biden administration to impose sanctions on Huawei Cloud and other Chinese cloud service providers. The letter, led by Senator Bill Hagerty, argues that cloud companies are engaging with foreign entities that directly challenge national and economy security. David Shepardson. Reuters, 25 April
China seeks to censor AI systems. Regulators issue draft rules to ensure new technology reflects ‘core socialist values’ and avoids information that undermines ‘state power’. Vishwam Sankaran. The Independent, 25 April
China bolsters food security drive with plans to grow nearly 90% of its grain by 2032. China’s new grain self-sufficiency projections likely to impact corn and soybean farmers in the US, as well as rice exporters in south east Asia. Mia Nulimaimaiti. South China Morning Post, 25 April
China completes landmark real estate registration system. The unified real estate database is viewed as vital for the central government to regulate the housing market and boost transparency in ownership. Reuters, 25 April
Chinese space agency unveils plan for International Lunar Research Station. Seven launches are planned by 2028 to explore the lunar environment and its resources. Ling Xin. South China Morning Post, 25 April
China could deliver Elon Musk’s Hyperloop by 2035. Chinese researchers consider building first hyperloop train line between Shanghai and Hangzhou. Vishwam Sankaran. The Independent, 25 April
Opinion & long reads
Rare Earth Reshore: Can the European Union overcome its deep reliance on China’s critical minerals supply chain? Luke Patey. The Wire, 23 April
How to make it big in Xi Jinping’s China. A look at China’s most valuable startups. The Economist, 24 April
China doesn’t want peace in Ukraine, Czech president warns. Former NATO general Petr Pavel argues that China benefits too much from the conflict. Lili Bayer and Ketrin Jochcova. Politico, 25 April