China News - 26 April 2021
Event tomorrow: Tuesday 27 April at 10am. We’ll be joined by James Kynge, the FT’s Global China Editor, in conversation with Tom Tugendhat MP. James has spent 25 years reporting from Asia and is an expert commentator on how China’s push for technology is shaping geopolitics. Register here.
International
UK carrier strike group to set sail on maiden deployment next month. During the 28-week deployment, ships from the group will visit more than 40 countries for more than 70 engagements. It is Britain’s biggest deployment of UK naval and aerial military firepower since the Falklands war. The Telegraph, Sky News, Gov statement, 26 April
Conflict with China over Taiwan 'should not be discounted', Australian defence minister says. “China has been very clear about the reunification and that’s been a long-held objective of theirs. They have been very clear about that goal.” The Telegraph, The Guardian, 24 April
Young Hong Kongers fleeing Beijing's clampdown left in ‘danger’ as they miss out on British asylum. Hong Kong adults aged 18 to 24 are locked out of a programme granting the right to live and work in the UK. The Telegraph, 25 April
Germany should be tough on China, Greens’ chancellor candidate says. Annalena Baerbock has indicated a tougher stance on Russia and China. SCMP, 25 April
EU hits out at Beijing’s actions in South China Sea. On Saturday the bloc issued a statement saying it strongly opposed “unilateral actions that could undermine regional stability and the international rules-based order”. SCMP, 24 April
Joe Biden plans to urge G7 to act on China’s use of forced labour in Xinjiang. SCMP, 24 April
Chloé Zhao’s Oscars victory greeted with some praise – and censorship – in China. The Guardian, 26 April
Weekend reports on UK and China
Chinese company Nuctech handed security deals worth £12m. A Chinese state-backed company dubbed the “Huawei of border security” has been given more than £12 million in security contracts at the border, in prisons and at the Home Office headquarters in Westminster. The Times, 26 April
UK solar projects using panels from firms linked to Xinjiang forced labour. Solar projects commissioned by the MoD and some of the UK’s biggest renewable energy developers are using panels made by Chinese solar companies accused of exploiting forced labour camps in Xinjiang province. The Guardian, 25 April
Eddie Lister set to depart. In 2018, Boris Johnson’s adviser brokered China’s deal to buy the historic Royal Mint site in London on behalf of the FCO, while also being paid by the buyer and seller. The Times, 25 April
David Cameron met Philip Hammond to discuss UK-China fund in 2017. The Guardian, 25 April
Economy & tech
Vaccine makers say IP waiver could hand technology to China and Russia. FT, 26 April
China tightens credit conditions in bid to balance growth and debt. A bid to dampen down the risk of overheating in its unbalanced, industry-heavy recovery. FT, 24 April
City economists says China covering up mass unemployment despite rebound from Covid. The Telegraph, 26 April
The White House warns that the US lags behind China on developing clean technologies. NYT, 23 April
Longer reads & opinion
FT View: Creating alternatives to China’s Belt and Road. To avoid being seen as an anti-China alliance, alternatives will likely take the form of a kaleidoscope of co-ordinated bilateral and multilateral partnerships between the EU and US and Indo-Pacific nations. FT, 25 April
Xinjiang cotton: why it is so hard to find out the truth about forced labour claims. Unfettered on-the-ground access to sites and workers who could speak without fear of punishment is essential to verify such allegations. SCMP, 26 April
China’s Communist faithful flock to ‘Red Sites’ ahead of Party centennial. Historical red sites such as Jinggangshan and Zunyi are being harnessed for the cause WSJ, 23 April
Can Western brands recover from consumer backlash in China? BBC, 25 April
MERICS is advertising for internships and three new roles, including a Head of Research in Science, innovation and technology and Europe-China analyst. To apply, visit their website.