Event tomorrow: The CRG will host Sir Geoffrey Nice QC with Prof Martin Elliott and Hamid Sabi for a human rights briefing based on the findings of last year’s China Tribunal. Sir Geoffrey Nice will chair the Uyghur Tribunal next year, which will assess the the legal grounds for declaring a genocide. Wednesday 4 November, 10-11am. Sign up to the virtual webinar here.
International
Press summary: US election - the mood in China
China plays it straight on US election but keeps an eye out for mayhem, with state media ready to pounce on any unrest. In the dramatic run-up to Tuesday’s US presidential election, Chinese coverage and commentary in state and social media has been relatively restrained. But that could change if disorder and a disputed election result offer up an easy propaganda victory for China, which has been crowing about the advantages of its political system in light of the successful containment of the Covid-19 pandemic within its borders. FT
Social media chatter is dominated by US election, with many Chinese analysts predicting a Beijing win and diplomatic respite. Washington Post
An anxious China awaits result of US presidential race. "I think the agreement here in China is that America is going to be more critical of China and the policies will be more aggressive," Zou says. "It's just to what degree." NPR
Video: How China views the U.S. election - support for both candidates and an immediate invite for Biden, if elected. CBS News
Many ordinary Chinese see win for Trump as blessing for Beijing, given they believe his re-election would benefit China as it would lead to overseas talent coming home and tear apart the Washington-led anti-Beijing coalition. Nikkei Asia
China views US presidential election with calm, confidence. Global Times
On dispute other whether CCP officials would prefer a Trump or Biden win, BBC China correspondent:
China seizes more territory from Nepal with troops constructing buildings over the border, The Telegraph reports. China has annexed more than 150 hectares of Nepal, politicians from the tiny Himalayan nation have told the Telegraph, months after deadly border clashes between Chinese and Indian troops. PLA troops are said to have moved boundary stone pillars further into Nepalese territory in several areas along the border. China’s foreign ministry spokesman has dismissed the media report. The Telegraph, Reuters, 3 November
China changes school curriculum to reflect Beijing's positive Covid narrative. Chinese government-endorsed content about the pandemic and the “fighting spirit” of the country’s response will be added to school curriculum, the country’s ministry of education has said, in a move to enshrine the country’s narrative of success against the virus. The Guardian, 3 November
UK Minister for Asia, Nigel Adams, makes statement on Hong Kong: “The latest arrests of activists and democratically elected lawmakers has all the hallmarks of being a politically driven, sustained attempt to stifle opposition by the Hong Kong government.” FCDO statement, 3 November
Germany refuses to turn a 'blind eye' to China, teams up with Australia. Germany’s defence minister says: "We share the same values, principles and interests. As a consequence, we stand united against those who challenge us," she said. "I am convinced territorial disputes, violations of international law and China’s ambitions for global supremacy can only be approached multilaterally." Sydney Morning Herald, 2 November
China to halt key Australian imports in sweeping retaliation, barring goods including barley, sugar and wine from next week. Bloomberg, 3 November
Australia’s economic dependency on China 'will not change', says former ambassador to Beijing, calls it nothing other than ‘wishful thinking’. The Guardian, 3 November
China watch
China reports 49 new coronavirus cases, conducting mass testing in Xinjiang after 5 new locally transmitted cases. Reuters, 3 November
Xi Jinping’s thoughts on China’s urbanisation revealed in new speech. Xi called for limitations on the size of cities in coastal areas to prevent overcrowding, and not over-concentrating resources in inland cities to avoid provincial wealth inequality. SCMP, 3 November
Economy & tech
Chinese watchdogs hold talks with Jack Ma ahead of $34bn float of Ant IPO, reminding investors that Beijing is still boss. FT, The Times, 3 November
Alibaba is sewing up $300m stake in London-based Farfetch luxury fashion site, with potential for joint venture in China. The Times, 2 November
Longer reads & opinion
Report on 'values war' with China deserves close look from Canadian policy-makers. John Ivison in National Post
Continued coverage of new CRG report on “values war”: focus on Chinese investment in Daily Mail, and comments on Taiwan in Taiwan News
UK needs to sharpen its foreign policy tools, writes Imran Ahmad Khan MP as he launches new APPG for Foreign Affairs in The Times, 3 November
Video: Ethnic Mongolians battle to keep their language and culture alive in China. BBC, 3 November
How China’s ‘wolf warrior’ diplomats use and abuse Twitter by building on Russian disinformation tactics. Brookings, 30 October
Lyu Jinghua on helping the US and China understand one another. The Wire China
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