China News - 26 May 2021
China replaces Germany as UK’s biggest import market. China has replaced Germany as the UK’s biggest single import market for the first time since 1997, partly fuelled by demand for Chinese textiles used for face masks and PPE, official figures showed. The Guardian, BBC, 25 May
AI emotion-detection software tested on Uyghurs. A camera system that uses AI and facial recognition intended to reveal states of emotion has been tested on Uyghurs in Xinjiang, the BBC has been told. A software engineer claimed to have installed such systems in police stations in the province. BBC, 26 May
China’s foreign minister says EU parliament is wrong to tie investment deal to Xinjiang. SCMP, Politico, 25 May
UK universities to be offered advice on national security threats. UK academics will be offered confidential advice from the government’s new Research Collaboration Advice Team before entering overseas research partnerships, in a drive to tackle the rising threat of espionage and intellectual property theft by “hostile actors” such as China. FT, The Times, 26 May
Yorkshire industrialist Sir Andrew Cook calls for wholesale ban on 'unsafe' Chinese steel imports. Yorkshire Post, 26 May
Australia shrugs off China trade dispute and opens new markets. 12 months after Beijing fired the first shots in a trade dispute with Canberra, growers have limited the damage by opening new markets in Asia and Latin America. FT, 26 May
US urges 'transparent' WHO inquiry into Covid origins. The US health secretary has urged the World Health Organization to ensure the next phase of investigation into Covid-19's origins is "transparent". BBC, 26 May
John Cena ‘very sorry’ for saying Taiwan is a country. The Guardian, 26 May
Economy & tech
Major Bitcoin mining hub in China issues harsh crackdown measures on cryptocurrency activities. Global Times, 24 May
China gives green light to Goldman to establish a wealth management firm with one of China’s biggest banks. The Times, 26 May
Longer reads & opinion
Britain’s hardest choices after Brexit revolve around China. A Q&A with Peter Ricketts. Bloomberg, 25 May
China’s data protection rules among ‘core challenges’ facing British firms, despite steps to open economy. The British Chamber of Commerce has published its new position paper. SCMP, full report, 26 May