China News - 29 July 2021
International
Cabinet split grows over China’s role in UK’s electric car industry. The Independent reports that Senior Conservatives fear the UK is “falling into a trap” by handing over sensitive aspects of its “green industrial revolution” to a regime that threatens British security. “From raw materials and semi-conductor technologies to the production line itself, China will own the supply chain for electric cars in the UK at this rate,” one senior Tory said. The Independent, 29 July
China says US failed in Afghanistan as it holds talks with Taliban. China branded America’s 20-year involvement in Afghanistan a “failure” and hailed the Taliban as an “important military and political force”, after hosting its first talks with the militant group since the US began its withdrawal. The Times, 29 July
Beijing seeks to ease fears on Wall Street after tech crackdown. Regulators in Beijing held a call with executives from global investors, Wall Street banks and Chinese financial groups on Wednesday night. The call sought to reassure the groups after China issued an effective ban on the country’s $100bn private tutoring industry at the weekend. FT, WSJ, 29 July
Dominic Raab says he is ‘very unlikely’ to attend Beijing Winter Olympics, cites “sensitivities around Xinjiang”. Asked by Sky News on Thursday if he would attend the Beijing games next year, Mr Raab said: “I doubt it.” The Independent, 28 July
China prepares new anti-sanction laws for Hong Kong and Macau. China’s government is planning to introduce new laws in Hong Kong and Macau that could bar foreign entities and individuals in the cities from complying with sanctions against China. WSJ, 28 July
China’s US envoy Qin Gang arrives in Washington. China’s new ambassador to the United States Qin Gang said he would endeavour to bring the deeply fraught relationship between the two countries under control, despite unprecedented “risks and challenges”. But the NYT notes that Qin Gang has a record of vigorously contesting Western criticism. SCMP, NYT, 28 July
China used vaccines, trade to get Ukraine to drop support for Xinjiang scrutiny. RFE/RL spoke to three Ukrainian lawmakers and a senior government official who confirmed the reports. Radio Free Europe, 28 July
China hits back after EU official joins call for cooperation on pandemic origins probe. Politico, 28 July
Antony Blinken meets WHO chief, supports new coronavirus origins probe in China. SCMP, 28 July
China focus
Outspoken billionaire Sun Dawu jailed for 18 years in China. It is a case that observers believe was politically motivated. BBC, 29 July
City of Nanjing isolated as China fights worst Covid outbreak in months. More than 170 people have been diagnosed with the Delta variant in the past 10 days. The Guardian, 29 July
Economy & tech
Tencent suffers $170 billion wipeout. The Chinese Internet giant had tumbled 23% in July as of Wednesday after the tech industry crackdown. Bloomberg, 29 July
UK moves ahead with small nuclear reactor pilot programme. Britain’s decision to explore advanced modular reactor technology comes days after plans for new, large-scale plants were thrown into doubt by its worsening relations with China. Bloomberg, 28 July
Intel chief warns of two-year chip shortage, stresses need to “normalise” relations with China. BBC, 29 July
Longer reads & opinion
China is using Tibetans as agents of empire in the Himalayas. By the end of this year, China will have moved quarter of a million Tibetans - through persuasion and coercion - into border villages in the Himalayas designed to fortify and monitor the region. Foreign Policy, 28 July
Olympics: The Chinese sports machine’s goal - the most golds, at any cost. Tens of thousands of Chinese children attend government-run training schools for six days a week. NYT, 28 July
Comment: VW’s dilemma in Xinjiang shows how the west is headed for an ethical car crash. Timothy Garton-Ash. The Guardian, 28 July
What does China want from talks with the Taliban? The Times, 29 July
Letter: Comparing Huawei with CGN is apples and oranges. FT, 29 July