China News - 29 March 2021
Consumer boycotts: the ‘era of bullying China’ is over, officials warn the West. Xu Guixiang, a Xinjiang government spokesman, said on Monday that multinational companies should understand that wielding the “big stick of sanctions” against Xinjiang would hurt the businesses themselves. SCMP, Reuters, 29 March
US fears China is flirting with seizing control of Taiwan. “China appears to be moving from a period of being content with the status quo over Taiwan to a period in which they are more impatient and more prepared to test the limits and flirt with the idea of unification,” a senior US official told the FT. Taiwan reported its largest ever incursion by Chinese air force over the weekend. FT, SCMP, 27 March
Biden-Johnson phone call: Biden says he suggested to UK's Johnson a plan to rival China's Belt and Road. Johnson is said to have discussed the possibility of a "green alternative" to the BRI. The two leaders also expressed concern on Friday about the Chinese response to the imposition of sanctions on its officials. The Telegraph, Reuters, 27 March
China and Iran sign 25-year agreement to expand ties. A draft agreement seen by the FT last year covered co-operation in areas from energy, petrochemicals and nuclear power to the high-tech and military sectors as well as maritime projects to promote Iran’s role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. FT, 28 March
China, UAE Foreign Ministers agree to enhance cooperation in varied fields. Xinhua, 28 March
Interview: African countries have much to learn from "Chinese miracle", says Kenyan party leader. Xinhua, 27 March
Australia threatens to take China to WTO over tariffs on wine. The Guardian, 27 March
More reaction to sanctions
China denounced over ‘grave threat to academic freedom’. More than 400 academics have signed a letter which calls Beijing’s sanctions for Dr Joanne Smith Finley ‘a threat to universities’ core principle of academic freedom. The Times, 29 March
UN in talks with China over 'no restrictions' visit to Xinjiang. “A serious negotiation is at the present moment taking place between the office of the (UN human rights) commissioner and the Chinese authorities,” António Guterres said on Sunday. The Guardian, 29 March
UK Essex Court Chambers removes Xinjiang genocide opinion reference after China sanctions, looks to distance itself. FT, 28 March
UK: Johnson tells China: ‘I stand behind sanctioned MPs’. The Observer. MPs blacklisted by China brace themselves for cyber attacks. The Telegraph, 29 March
US and Canada hit back at China's 'baseless' sanctions as Xinjiang row deepens. The Guardian, FT, 28 March
Economy & tech
UK 'must be clear-eyed' on China tech ambitions, says new NCSC chief. BBC, 29 March
China’s central bank says digital yuan to co-exist with Alipay, WeChat Pay. TechinAsia, 28 March
China generated over half world's coal-fired power in 2020: study. Reuters, 28 March
Longer reads & opinion
Why does China think it can bully backbench MPs like me? Nus Ghani MP in The Spectator, 26 March
China seen as key partner in UK's post-Brexit future. China Daily, 29 March
The days of China ‘hiding and biding’ its might are officially over. The Telegraph, 28 March
Weekend editorials on sanctions and Xinjiang from The Guardian and The Observer.