China News - 28 June 2021
Event today: New China Research Group paper on rethinking trade policy - How could the UK, EU and US come together to better respond to trade coercion and the challenge of China’s industrial policies?
Join the launch of the China Research Group’s latest policy paper with a Transatlantic panel discussion including Rob Atkinson (President of ITIF), Agatha Kratz (Rhodium Group) and Reinhard Butikofer MEP (Co-chair of European Greens) today at 5pm BST. Register here.
International
Hong Kong's Apple Daily editorial writer arrested at airport. Editorial writer Fung Wai-kong of the now-defunct Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily was arrested at Hong Kong international airport on Sunday night while attempting to leave the city. Fung was believed to be leaving for Britain when he was arrested, local media reported. Independent, Reuters, Axios, The Guardian, 27 June
Stand News articles removed, directors resign. The Hong Kong pro-democracy web media, Stand News, on Sunday said it would stop accepting monthly sponsorship from readers and shelve older commentaries for now, saying "speech crimes" have arrived in the territory, RTHK, HKFP, 27 June
Hong Kong needs law to tackle ‘hostility against the police’, says force’s new chief. Raymond Siu blames protests on ‘fake news’ – but critics fear the label will be used to further muzzle dissent. The Guardian, HKFP, 26 June
British, US-China groups call for ‘Nato for trade’ against Beijing. In a new paper commissioned by the China Research Group and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a science and technology policy think tank, proponents say the group could retaliate as one to economic coercion from China aimed at any member. SCMP, 28 June
BEIS Secretary of State asked to reconsider advice to British semiconductor company amidst Chinese takeover. Tom Tugendhat MP, chair of the China Research Group, recently published a public letter imploring Kwasi Kwarteng MP to review the takeover of Newport Wafer Fab by a Chinese entity under the National Security and Investment Act. The Spectator, 28 June
China welcomes Ukraine U-turn on Xinjiang human rights call. Diplomats claim that Beijing warned Kiev it would block vaccine shipments if it did not withdraw from a joint statement urging a UN investigation into the treatment of Uyghurs. AP, SCMP, Taipei Times, 27 June
India shifts 50,000 troops to China border in historic move. With even more soldiers patrolling both sides of the disputed areas, any miscalculation could turn deadly. Bloomberg, 27 June
US-Taiwan talks to focus on supply chains and digital trade. The negotiations are due to start on Wednesday and will allow both sides to put a stronger focus on trade to match their efforts to bolster security and political ties amid increasing strains with Beijing. FT, 26 June
Chinese Communist Party spies in NZ universities, lecturers suspect. NZ Herald, 27 June
Tanzania to revive $10bn Indian Ocean port project with China. Nikkei Asia, 27 June
China focus
Millions of court rulings removed from official Chinese database. Notice on China Judgments Online says it is undergoing a ‘migration’ process that will be completed within days, with death penalty verdicts among those that have disappeared. SCMP, 26 June
China releases new video, images from its Zhurong Mars rover. Al Jazeera, BBC, 27 June
Scientists hail stunning 'Dragon Man' discovery. Chinese researchers have unveiled an ancient skull that could belong to a completely new species of human. BBC, New Scientist, Al Jazeera, 26 June
Chinese flock to birthplace of Communist Party as country prepares to celebrate 100th anniversary. The Telegraph, 27 June
Economy & tech
China’s cyber power at least a decade behind the US, new study finds. The study, published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), reveals that China’s strengths as a cyber power are being undermined by poor security and weak intelligence analysis. FT, 28 June
China’s Envision Group to build US$2.4 billion battery plant for Renault in France. It will be the first plant in Europe for the company. SCMP, 28 June
AI, semiconductors get quasi-military commanders as ‘supply chain chiefs’ to boost self-sufficiency. Local governments in China have taken to appointing ‘supply chain chiefs’ to oversee hi-tech industries such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors. SCMP, 26 June
UK lenders tumble down global rankings as China soars. HSBC is the only European lender to make the world’s top 10 banks, enduring a smoother ride by concentrating its focus on the more resilient Hong Kong and Chinese markets. The Telegraph, 28 June
YouTube reportedly took down videos by group documenting human rights abuses in China. Reuters, The Verge, 25 June
Social media influencers help Chinese brands to outfox foreign rivals. FT, 26 June
Longer reads & opinion: the CCP turns 100
A swathe of long reads ahead of this week’s anniversary:
China’s Communist Party at 100: the secret of its longevity. The Economist, 26 June
The Guardian examines key episodes in its tempestuous history. Richard McGregor. 26 June
The Communist party at 100: is Xi Jinping’s China on the right track? The president’s admirers believe he can lead the country to a new era but critics say he has erased all checks and balances. FT, 28 June
At 100 years old, the CCP still can’t get along with its next-door neighbours. Central Asian governments might be cozy with Beijing, but populations continue to protest Chinese influence. Bonnie Glaser. The Diplomat - China Power, 26 June
An anxious 100th birthday for China’s Communist Party. The CCP has survived because of its adaptability, but a generational shift from traditional values to more liberal attitudes could undermine its popular support. Andrew Nathan. WSJ, 26 June
China’s imperialists are winning over the world. As democracy loses its lustre, many nations are looking east for leadership, cash and vaccines. Trevor Phillips. The Times, 28 June
CCP Centenary Event. The Council on Geostrategy will host an event this Wednesday discussing the CCP at 100 years old, the future of the Party, and the risks it poses to the stability of the geopolitical order. Register here.
A confused Biden team risks losing Southeast Asia. If the region continues to drift towards China, Washington has only itself to blame. Foreign Policy, 28 June
Crossing the red line: Behind China’s takeover of Hong Kong. NYT, 28 June
China's changes through one man's lens. Yan Zhigang has spent four decades photographing the streets, and the people, of China. BBC, 26 June
How to win friends and influence nations: China and the US battle it out. Matthew Knott. Sydney Morning Herald, 28 June