China News - 28 September 2020
Today’s CRG Event at 1pm: Innovation mercantilism with Robert Atkinson. How China’s trade, technology investment policies affect the West - and how Western economies can engage and respond. To register for a place, email julia@chinaresearchgroup.org.
International
Xi says China will continue efforts to assimilate Muslims in Xinjiang, calling current policies “totally correct”. Speaking at a Beijing gathering of party officials last week, Xi declared success in his approach to Xinjiang. “Practice has proven that the party’s strategy for governing Xinjiang in the new era is completely correct”. His remarks came at the end of a week where reports revealed fresh evidence of internment camps. WSJ, NYT, 26 September
Boris warns of Chinese chokehold: PM launches new drive against Beijing's 'expansionism' among poorer countries after China 'placed pressure on Barbados to remove the Queen as its head of state'. The Mail on Sunday reports that Boris Johnson has ordered diplomats to launch a new drive against Chinese ‘expansionism’ after Beijing was accused of placing pressure on Barbados to remove the Queen as its head of state. Mail on Sunday, Global Times, 27 September
Oxford moves to protect students from China's Hong Kong security law. Students at Oxford University specialising in the study of China are being asked to submit some papers anonymously to protect them from the possibility of retribution under the sweeping new security law introduced three months ago in Hong Kong. Students are also to be warned it will be viewed as a disciplinary offence if they tape classes or share them with outside groups. The Guardian, 28 September
Boris ordered to scrap “absurd and indefensible” £68million foreign aid programme in China. Daily Express, The Sun, 26 September
Netflix faces call to rethink Liu Cixin adaptation after his Uyghur comments. The Guardian, 25 September
UK to become WHO's largest state donor after US leaves, with 30% funding increase announced by PM. The Guardian, 25 September
Trump cuts aid for pro-democracy groups in Belarus, Hong Kong and Iran. The Guardian, 28 September
With EU help, Taiwan gets rare win in China naming dispute. Reuters, 28 September
Beijing blocked Wikimedia from a UN agency because of “Taiwan-related issues”. Quartz, 26 September
Tiny Muslim community in China’s Hainan becomes latest target for religious crackdown. SCMP, 28 September
Chinese fishing flotilla nears Peruvian waters, prompting US-Beijing spat. The Guardian, 25 September
As US, China squabble at UN, a plea - and warning - from one of world's smallest states, Micronesia. Reuters, 26 September
Economy & tech
China’s biggest chipmaker hit by US sanctions - key move in US-China tech war. FT, 26 September
TikTok: US judge halts app store ban. BBC, 28 September
Case to extradite Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou to US resumes. The Guardian, 28 September
HSBC under pressure from US and China; board torn over future strategy. The Times, FT, 27 September
Global carmakers bet on China’s electric vehicle rebound. FT, 28 September
China under pressure to restructure loans to Zambia, analysts say. SCMP, 28 September
Sick of staying home: China expects a Golden Week tourism rebound. Reuters, FT, 28 September
Longer reads & opinion
Who runs Hong Kong: party faithful shipped in to carry out Beijing's will. The Guardian, 28 September
Returning to the shadows: China, Pakistan, and the fate of the flagship China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. GMF report, 23 September
Did Xi just save the world? China’s announcement changed the global fight on climate change. Foreign Policy, 26 September
China's carbon pledge will require complete inversion of existing system. The Guardian, 27 September
Long Read: “His Highness” Xi Jinping. The China Media Project, 23 September
China gives Wuhan a ‘hero city’ makeover: pool parties to the fore — and wet markets out of sight. The Times, 27 September