Today’s newsletter is the last before the newsletter pauses during August. It will return in September. Thanks for reading.
International
Beijing warns of ‘counter-measures’ as Royal Navy sails South China Sea. China’s military and state media have warned the UK against provocation as it sent a carrier strike group, led by a Royal Navy aircraft carrier, through the contested South China Sea. A spokesman for China’s Ministry of National Defence, Wu Qian, said it respected freedom of navigation but firmly opposed any naval activities that aimed to provoke controversy. The UK will also permanently assign two warships to the region later this year. The Guardian, BBC, 30 July
Activist Tong Ying-kit jailed for 9 years in Hong Kong’s first national security case. A Hong Kong man has been sentenced to nine years in prison after he rode a motorbike into police officers while flying a flag with a protest slogan. Tong Ying-kit, whose flag bore the phrase "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times", was earlier found guilty of inciting secession and terrorism. His sentencing marks the end of Hong Kong’s first-ever trial under the sweeping security legislation which was enacted on June 30 last year. HKFP, BBC, 30 July
£2.6 million fund to help Hong Kong arrivals launched. Gov UK, 29 July
Hong Kong crowd booing China's anthem at shopping centre mall police probe. It is illegal to insult the anthem under a recently passed law. BBC, 30 July
Hong Kong police arrest teen over Facebook posts targeting broadcaster TVB’s advertisers through ‘criminally intimidating’ messages. SCMP, 30 July
British military chiefs criticise China and Russia for 'reckless' behaviour in space. The two commanders were speaking at the official opening of the UK Space Command, which will take charge of all military work involving space - now considered a domain of operations alongside land, sea, air, and cyberspace. Sky News, The Telegraph, 29 July
China’s talks with Taliban could be a positive thing, US says. Antony Blinken, asked during a trip to India about the Taliban’s China visit, said a greater role for Beijing in Afghan affairs could be a “positive thing”. The Guardian, 29 July
China’s foreign ministry stirs public opinion against BBC reporter. On Thursday, the spokesman of China’s Foreign Ministry, Zhao Lijian, claimed that the correspondents of Deutsche Welle, BBC and LA Times were guilty for receiving death threats. FAZ (DE), 29 July
EU foreign policy chief flags review of China strategy ‘in months’. Josep Borrell says a report analysing the relationship will be presented to the European Council at the end of the summer. SCMP, Politico, 30 July
Samoa’s new PM Mataafa confirms cancellation of US$100 million China-funded port. China’s proposed construction of a wharf in Vaiusu Bay had played a part in the April 9 disputed election. SCMP, 30 July
Philippines restores military pact with US, overturning decision which had caused friction. FT, 30 July
US lawmakers call on Hilton to cut link to Xinjiang project at site of bulldozed mosque. SCMP, 30 July
China focus
Nanjing airport coronavirus cluster ‘spreads to 15 other Chinese cities’. State media have called it the "most extensive contagion after Wuhan". BBC, 30 July
China bans Germany’s Guangzhou consulate from social media for post about LGBTQ film festival. Variety, 29 July
Tech hub of Shenzhen drafts first rules in China guaranteeing kindergarten access amid private tutoring crackdown. SCMP, 30 July
Economy & tech
China ‘propped the doors open’ for criminals in Microsoft hack, Australian spy agency boss says. “It’s that action, from a technical point of view, which crossed a line in the judgment of policy agencies in governments around the world.” The Guardian, 29 July
Consortium prepares bid to buy the UK’s biggest chip plant back off Chinese-owned Nexperia. A compromise could involve asking Nexperia to reduce its position in NWF to less than 25% so that it complies with the U.K.’s National Security and Investment Act. CNBC, 30 July
China tech stocks set for worst month since global financial crisis. Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi also denied a WSJ report that it was considering going private to appease Chinese authorities. BBC, FT, 29 July
Tesla battery supplier CATL debuts cheaper sodium-ion batteries. Bloomberg, 29 July
Longer reads & opinion
China’s Sputnik Moment? How Washington Boosted Beijing’s Quest for Tech Dominance. Dan Wang. Foreign Affairs, 29 July
Book review: China aims to eclipse America by 2049, a Biden official writes. The Economist, 30 July
Billion channel next to the Bosporus: Erdogan's plans incite the world powers. Turkish media have reported that China has offered to fund a huge new canal in Istanbul. Handelsblatt, 29 July
Comment: More questions than answers in a Hong Kong courtroom. One court may have made a decision about what happened at Yuen Long, but many people feel the truth is yet to be revealed. FT, 30 July
Why did Vince Cable downplay China’s persecution of the Uighurs? New Statesman, 30 July