China News - 28 April 2023
International
China vows to retaliate if US continues case against police officers. Earlier this month, the Department of Justice charged 44 suspects involved in a ‘transnational repression scheme’ to harass Chinese nationals living in the US. Mao Ning, spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry, accused the US of ‘weaponising and politicising the law’. Vanessa Cai. South China Morning Post, 27 April
Chinese navy ships head to Sudan on evacuation mission. 1300 Chinese citizens have been evacuated, according to Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning. Citizens from five other countries also used the Chinese ships to leave Sudan. Zhao Ziwen. South China Morning Post, 27 April
Former Fugees rapper convicted for multi-million dollar foreign influence scheme. Pras Michel was found guilty of concealing foreign campaign contributions, as well as lobbying the Government to drop 1MDB investigation and deport Guo Wengui to China. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail. US Department of Justice, 26 April
Human rights organisations urge Thailand to improve immigration detention facilities after second uyghur asylum seeker dies in custody. Mattohti Mattursun had been detained in Thailand for more than nine years after fleeing China. Human Rights Watch called for an end to Thailand’s ‘inhumane and counterproductive’ policy of indefinitely detaining people accused of violating immigration law. Jintamas Saksornchai. The Independent, 27 April
China expresses ‘strong dissatisfaction’ to South Korea over its joint statement with the United States. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is on a six-day visit to the US, during which a joint statement was issued that stressed the need for peace in the Taiwan Strait. Liz Lee. Reuters, 28 April
China welcomes panda home after 20 years in Memphis Zoo. Allegations of neglect and abuse circulated on Chinese social media after the 20-year loan ended without renewal. Huizhong Wu. The Independent, 27 April
Economy & tech
UK and Europe falling behind in biotech, says Astrazeneca boss. Pascal Soriot said progress in China had been ‘incredible’ in recent years but recent tax moves in the UK were making it ‘very unattractive for companies to invest’ here. Julia Kollewe. The Guardian, 27 April
Scholz’ determination for China port deal triggers row in German coalition. Scholz and Social Democratic Party allies face objections by Greens and Free Democratic Party over proposed COSCO investment in Hamburg Port. Hans von der Burchard and Gabriel Rinaldi. Politico, 27 April
Politburo says Chinese economy lacks ‘internal drive’. Top leaders met to discuss promoting consumption and stabilising investment in China. The meeting called for further development of NEVs, battery charging stations and the transformation of power grids. Evelyn Chang. CNBC, 28 April
China investment consensus cracks as political discomfort sets in. Growing wariness in investment community over how to price new risks for capital in China. Tom Westbrook. Reuters, 28 April
China to ‘digitise’ mines in an attempt to improve safety record. Huawei to team up with state-owned mining company to pilot ‘smart’ coal mine technology. Huawei has been forced to diversify its business as US sanctions caused a 70% decline in profits last year. The Independent, 27 April
Opinion & long reads
Germany’s China dilemma takes on a new urgency. Series of China papers and strategies signal growing alarm about China. Constanze Stelzenmüller. Financial Times, 28 April
Why Xi Jinping’s self-serving call to Ukrainian president is bad news for Taiwan. In the high-profile exchange between Xi and Zelenskyy, Kyiv reaffirmed ‘Ukraine’s unwavering position on adherence to the “One China” policy’. Sophia Yan. The Telegraph, 27 April
US-China ties are spiraling. The Cabinet’s stuck in a turf war. As tensions with China rise, three Cabinet secretaries are jockeying to be the US’ lead China envoy: Antony Blinken, Janet Yellen and Gina Raimondo. Bob Davis. Politico, 27 April
China is cracking down on bankers. Here are some of the targets. A profile of the prominent figures and firms in the financial sector that have been put under investigation or sanctions this year. Claire Fu. The New York Times, 27 April