China News - 26 October 2021

International

EU, Chinese climate officials to meet in London before UN talks; China issues roadmap for carbon neutrality by 2060. The wide-ranging guidance issued by the Chinese government laid out general plans for different segments of its economy and included a commitment to cut its reliance on fossil fuel to less than 20% by 2060. Meanwhile, the UN warned global greenhouse gas emissions are on course to be 16% higher by the end of this decade. Bloomberg, The Times, Caixin, NHK, Independent, 25 October

Protect your passwords, warns spy chief, as ransomware cyber attacks double. The chief of GCHQ urged people to back up their data, as he warned that Britain must “pay attention” to attacks from China. The Telegraph, 25 October

UK will continue to work closely with China on international peace and security: British UN ambassador. In an interview with China News Service, British ambassador to the UN Barbara Woodward said that “cooperation is important for the UK and China and for the international community as a whole.” ECNS, 26 October

Beijing hits out at Liz Truss over remarks on Hong Kong rights. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has slammed remarks by Liz Truss as "irresponsible" after the British Foreign Secretary called on the Hong Kong government to uphold freedom of speech. The Telegraph, Daily Express, 25 October

New Zealand could join AUKUS security pact to boost cyber technologies. New Zealand’s high commissioner to Australia, Dame Annette King, said her nation could join the agreement to collaborate on the development of emerging cyber technologies including artificial intelligence quantum computing. Sydney Morning Herald, 26 October

Chinese pressure blamed as Xi Jinping book events are cancelled in Germany. The abrupt cancellation of events discussing a German book on Xi Jinping has raised fresh concerns about Chinese interference in European academia, prompting Beijing’s embassy in Berlin to defend Confucius Institutes. SCMP, 25 October

Beijing will never let Taipei participate in UN, former envoy to US says as Xi issues veiled warning over independence signals. The Times, SCMP, CGTN, Al Jazeera, 25 October

China’s Foreign Minister vows to help Taliban ‘rebuild the country’ in Doha talks. Bloomberg, 26 October

Japan’s foreign minister says ties with China remain ‘in a difficult situation’ while Wang Yi calls for greater exchange with Japan. SCMP, NHK, 25 October

Beijing's new skeleton and bobsleigh venue hosts first test event. Reuters, 25 October

Economy & tech

China outlines strategy to meet economic challenges, from power crisis to Evergrande woes. China’s campaign to “curb the disorderly expansion of capital” across several sectors of the economy is on track to ease as the government shifts focus toward bolstering growth, according to a tone-setting commentary issued by state media. SCMP, 25 October

China and US have ‘candid’ talks on economic issues of concern. China's Vice Premier Liu He spoke with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen via video call and talked about the macroeconomic situation and bilateral relations, according to a statement from China's commerce ministry. Bloomberg, Reuters, 25 October

Semiconductor giant TSMC’s decision to cooperate with Washington’s chip data request fuels anger in China. SCMP, 25 October

Tesla opens new China research, data centres; will store data locally. Reuters, 25 October

Banks warn travel quarantine threatens Hong Kong’s international status. FT, Reuters, Bloomberg, 25 October

China focus

China's State Council appoints, removes officials. As part of the reshuffle, outspoken Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Hua Chunying was promoted to the role of Assistant Foreign Minister in ‘recognition of her work’ in conveying China’s voice. Xinhua, Global Times, 25 October

Former head of Chinese weapons giant to face corruption charges after formal arrest approved. State prosecutors intend to arrest ex-Norinco chairman and party secretary Yin Jiaxu, accusing him of accepting ‘huge sums’ of money and gifts. Yin is the second Norinco senior executive to fall from grace in Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption drive. SCMP, 25 October

Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou returns to hero’s welcome at company headquarters after 21-day quarantine. SCMP, Reuters, 25 October

China to start vaccinating children as young as 3, locks down thousands in North as 39 new Covid cases are reported. SCMP, The Japan Times, RTHK, Sixthtone, CGTN, Bloomberg, 25 October

Hong Kong: court convicts man for inciting secession with chants and speech, self-exiled democrat Ted Hui faces four more charges, and police censor Standard Chartered marathon. HKFP, HKFP, The Guardian, NYT, 25 October

Opinions & editorial

Xi is revealing his own weakness by missing Cop26. China is losing friends abroad and sacrificing progress at home because of the inflexibility that comes with one-man rule. William Hague. The Times, 25 October

Road to COP26: China and UK should continue collaborating on climate change. Andrew Bailey. Caixin, 26 October

Xi's not there? COP26 hopes dim on Chinese leader's likely absence. David Stanway. Reuters, 26 October

HSBC tries delicate balancing act to keep both London and Beijing happy. Lender unveils a jump in pre-tax profit to more than $5bn for the third quarter of 2021 as it chases Chinese money. Lucy Burton. The Telegraph, 25 October

International rules make US-China conflict more likely. Ben Scott. Nikkei Asia, 25 October

The Squid and the Whale. Capital will be the next frontier of the US-China conflict. Rana Foroohar. FT, 25 October

Hong Kong is determined to lock out the world. Anjani Trivedi. Bloomberg, 25 October

Longer reads

China, Climate Politics, and COP26. Success at the Glasgow climate change conference relies on China accelerating its energy transition, and the United States and other rich countries making an effective alternative appeal to the developing world. Sam Geall. Lowy Institute, 25 October

Taiwan says it is ‘preparing for war,’ but are Taiwanese mentally ready? Liam Gibson. The Diplomat, 25 October

As Hong Kong’s civil society buckles, one group tries to hold on. Austin Ramzy. The Japan Times, 25 October

In the camps: life in China’s high-tech penal colony — a damning account. Christian Shepherd. FT, 25 October

‘We are so divided now’: how China controls thought and speech beyond its borders. The arrest of a Tibetan New York city cop on spying charges plays into existing fears amongst the community. Lauren Hilgers. The Guardian, 26 October

The marvel of China's multi-generational rice terrace. BBC Travel, 26 October