New event: Join us on 11 March at 5pm GMT for a look at the evolution of Belt and Road. We’ll be discussing the Digital, Health and Green Silk Road - and what it means for the UK’s foreign policy - with Jon Hillman, Meia Nouwens, Eyck Freymann and Tom Tugendhat. Register.
International
Dutch parliament calls China’s treatment of Uyghurs genocide. The Dutch parliament on Thursday passed a non-binding motion that called Beijing’s treatment of members of the Uyghur minority in the west region of Xinjiang a “genocide”. It follows a similar measure in Canada earlier this week. The Times, 26 February
China-India border dispute: ministers speak for first time in 5 months, urge more talks. Wang Yi and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar held a 75-minute phone call after both sides disengaged troops from the border, pledging further dialogue. SCMP, 26 February
Xi-Macron phone call. Xi and Macron held a phone call yesterday, building on their five phone conversations in 2020. China’s readout emphasised cooperation on CEE, climate change, vaccines and debt relief. Xinhua, SCMP, 26 February
China expected to unveil hike in military budget as tensions rise. Experts are predicting a significant hike in China’s military spending, in light of a more intense security situation. Reuters, 26 February
Biden trade pick says China must deliver on Phase One pact. Biden’s nominee, Katherine Tai, has committed to a top-to-bottom USTR review on China policy. Bloomberg, 26 February
U.S. has not made 'final decision' on participating in Olympics in China. Reuters, 25 February
China watch
More on Xi’s poverty alleviation celebration ceremony. Xi put his personal stamp on China’s fight against poverty, and a ceremony yesterday paid tribute to Xi’s personal role in the success. The People’s Daily ran a three-page, 22,000-character article Wednesday summarizing the poverty-alleviation orders Xi has issued since taking power. Bloomberg, BBC, 25 February
CPC leadership meets to discuss draft 14th five-year plan, government work report. Xi presided over the meeting. Xinhua, 26 February
Economy & tech
China lets yuan rise steadily, pressuring exporters. The currency has climbed 9% against the US dollar since June. WSJ, 25 February
China to overtake UK as the world’s top offshore wind farms installer as it works towards carbon-neutral goal. SCMP, 26 February
China’s Huawei, reeling from U.S. sanctions, plans foray into EVs - sources. Reuters, 26 February
Longer reads & opinion
As US, UK converge on China, British lawmaker says 'Golden Era is over'. Interview with Tom Tugendhat in Newsweek, 25 February
On infrastructure, is China ‘eating America’s lunch’? Cindy Yu and George Magnus on the excellent Chinese Whispers podcast. The Spectator, 22 February
Chaguan: Intercity commuters are a puzzle for Chinese officials. The Economist, 26 February
Hong Kong’s lesson to schoolchildren: love China, no questions asked. Government reforms to the curriculum includes cutting down on ‘liberal studies’. NYT, 25 February
Analysis: China's unsustainable poverty eradication claims are a house of cards. Sophia Yan in The Telegraph, 26 February
Chart of the day
