China News 28 April 2020
International
Beijing arrests coronavirus activists. Three Beijing-based internet activists have disappeared, believed detained by police for archiving censored coronavirus news online. Two activists have been charged with “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” which can carry a sentence of up to five years. The activists are said to have been using GitHub to archive sensitive coronavirus stories published in recent months, such as personal narratives by Wuhan citizens and an infamous interview with Wuhan Central Hospital doctor Ai Fen, one of the earliest virus whistleblowers. AFP, 27 April
Is “Wolf Warrior” diplomacy counterproductive for China? The South China Morning Post runs a feature on China’s new, more assertive style of diplomacy, named after the patriotic Rambo-style films of the same name. The piece notes that: “Last week alone, at least seven Chinese ambassadors – to France, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana and the African Union – were summoned by their hosts to answer charges ranging from spreading rumours and misinformation to the “racist mistreatment” of Africans in the south China city of Guangzhou.” South China Morning Post, 27 April
China/Africa relations. The Guardian reports that African governments are protesting about racism against black residents of China in the wake of coronavirus. The Washington Times reports that South Africa’s ANC has lodged a formal complaint. This follows various viral videos and a racist cartoon circulating on social media. Guardian, 27 April & Washington Times, 27 April
Westerners losing faith in democracy, says Chinese embassy in Paris. Politico Europe reports that China continues to hit back against criticism. A memo published by the Chinese embassy in Paris argues that criticisms of China are because, “some Westerners are starting to have no confidence in liberal democracy. In the response to the epidemic, socialism with Chinese characteristics has demonstrated its ability to concentrate resources in the service of great achievements.” The article argues that some in the west “have become psychologically fragile” and can’t bear praise of China. Politico, 27 April
Hong Kong Bar asks if judiciary is independent. The Hong Kong Bar Association’s Chairman has urged the government to make clear whether Beijing’s supervisory power over the city is to be extended to the judiciary and prosecutors. Philip Dykes made his comments after the city’s Justice Secretary said the central government’s liaison office has such powers, and is not bound by the Basic Law’s rule over non-interference. South China Morning Post, 28 April
Wang Quanzhang home at last. Chinese human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang was finally reunited with his family in Beijing on Monday, after nearly five years in jail on charges of “subverting state power”. He was one of over 200 human rights defenders targeted in a crackdown in 2015. After three years his family were told he was still alive, and after four years they were allowed to visit. Video of his emotional reunion with his family circulated widely online. AFP, 27 April & Amnesty report
Economy
Bundestag Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee complains Huawei roll-out is creating “facts on the ground” before key votes. As part of Germany’s ongoing debate about Huawei, CDU parliamentarian Norbert Röttgen said: “With regard to the 5G roll out German network providers create facts on the ground, while parliament is still waiting for draft legislation. Corona should teach us that we must not be dependent on China for critical infrastructure - not for masks and certainly not for 5G”. The SPD has written to Merkel to press for legislation, and a vote is now expected in May or June. The debate is likely to centre on whether government or the Bundestag gets to define which firms are trustworthy suppliers.
SPD Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told Handelsblatt. "Especially when it comes to critical infrastructure and future technologies, we must not depend on others." That limits "our ability to act" and undermines "the sovereignty of Europe". The paper reports that Economics Minister Peter Altmaier, Chancellor Angela Merkel (both CDU) and Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) made it clear that they do not want to exclude any providers from the outset. However, the Federal Foreign Office and the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) argue that Chinese technology companies cannot be trusted.
Meanwhile, the head of Deutsche Telekom in Germany has said the firm wants to supply 5G to half the population by the end of the year. More than half of the current telecommunications network in Germany is operated with Huawei technology. Handelsblatt, 27 April & Röttgen’s Tweet
“China Standards 2035” bids to shape global tech standards. CNBC reports on China’s forthcoming “China Standards 2035” programme, set to be released this year, after two years of planning. The programme builds on the government’s industrial strategy, “Made in China 2025.” The piece quotes Andrew Polk from consultancy Trivium China, saying the forthcoming strategy reflects Beijing’s “desire to set the standards, literally and figuratively, abroad.” CNBC, 27 April
Former Imagination Technologies CEO calls for new checks on inward investment in UK. Sir Hossein Yassaie talks about why he felt the need to raise concerns about changes to control of the firm, and says: “we do need to have a proper process in the UK, when companies get acquired or invested in in a majority way, there's a degree of checking. Whatever is the basis for agreeing the deal, those commitments need to be honoured and checked.” Telegraph, 27 April
U.S. imposes new rules on exports to China to keep them from its military. The new rules will require licenses for U.S. companies to sell certain potentially dual-use items to companies in China that support the military, even if the products are for civilian use. The rule changes will particularly affect semiconductors and aviation parts. Reuters, 27 April
Comment
In the Daily Telegraph Nick Timothy argued that “All the evidence suggests that China is an untrustworthy partner”. Daily Telegraph, 27 April.
Long reads
Cascading Economic Impacts of Covid-19 - a long look at the impact on the US economy. U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, 21 April
Upcoming events
Today: The Commons Defence Committee is taking evidence on 5G security
Today: “Chinese Politics in the Wake of Covid-19”, with Minxin Pei, hosted online by CSIS
29 April: “Europe for Sale? Recent Trends in Chinese FDI in Europe and Policy Responses” with Agatha Kratz, hosted by the European Chamber
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