China News - 31 January 2023
Next event: Defeating the Dictators. The China Research Group will host a discussion of CSIS fellow Charles Dunst's latest book, Defeating the Dictators, a guidebook for strengthening democracies across the world. The Spectator’s Cindy Yu and Wall Street Journal’s Joseph Sternberg will join him on the panel. Palace of Westminster, 7th February (6-7pm). Register here.
International
China Covid: Officials say current wave is 'coming to an end' as IMF lifts growth forecast. The number of severe Covid cases and deaths is trending downward, the country's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a report. It also said there had been "no obvious rebound" during Lunar New Year holidays last week, with hospitalisation rates down over 85% according to official figures. The IMF revised China’s growth outlook sharply higher for 2023, to 5.2% from 4.4% in the October forecast. BBC, 30 January
In diplomatic coup, Taiwan president speaks to Czech president-elect. The Czech Republic’s incoming president, Petr Pavel, spoke with Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen two days after he was elected, becoming the first elected European head of state to do so. The call has been seen as a clear sign the new leader plans to bolster ties in the face of mounting pressure from China. Reuters, 30 January
Russia says Xi Jinping will visit Moscow around Ukraine war anniversary. In a statement late on Monday, Russia’s foreign ministry said Xi’s visit would be a “main event” on the two countries’ bilateral agenda, although Beijing is yet to confirm the trip. SCMP, 31 January
China wary as NATO chief seeks stronger ties on Asian visit. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is set to meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on an Asian tour that has sparked suspicion in China, which is wary of the group’s efforts to build ties with its neighbours. Bloomberg, 31 January
EU warns of 'unfair' Chinese subsidies in Green Deal plan - draft. Europe and its partners must do more to combat the effect of Chinese subsidies for the manufacture of clean technology products, the European Commission is set to say on Wednesday in its "Green Deal Industrial Plan". Reuters, 30 January
Chinese, Japanese coastguards trade warnings near disputed East China Sea islands. China’s coastguard says five Japanese vessels were repelled from the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands on Monday. SCMP, 31 January
Australia vows to keep raising human rights concerns with China despite ambassador’s warning. The Guardian, 30 January
Britain’s trade deal architect plots exit after Indo-Pacific pact. Politico, 30 January
Economy & tech
Washington halts licences for US companies to export to Huawei. The Biden administration has stopped providing US companies with licences to export to Huawei as it moves towards imposing a total ban on the sale of American technology to the Chinese telecom equipment giant. FT, 30 January
TikTok’s chief executive to testify before Congress in March. Shou Zi Chew will appear before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on March 23, a committee spokesman said, in what would be the first appearance of a TikTok CEO before a congressional panel. WSJ, 30 January
CNOOC’s $3 billion UK portfolio sale has stalled on valuation gap. CNOOC Ltd. has paused a planned sale of its UK North Sea portfolio as initial offers failed to meet the Chinese oil giant’s expectations for the business, according to people familiar with the matter. Reuters, 31 January
China’s debt-based interest payments top a trillion yuan for first time, raising concerns about financial risks. SCMP, 30 January
Foreigners scoop up China shares with January inflow at record. Bloomberg, 31 January
China focus
Chinese province ends ban on unmarried people having children. The measures in Sichuan province aim to encourage more people to have children after China’s population fell for the first time in 60 years. The Guardian, 30 January
Crackdown continues on illegal ‘competitions’ targeting students. Sixth Tone, 30 January
Long reads & opinion
Three ways to read the ‘deglobalisation’ debate. Proponents of business as usual and the new cold warriors are too confident of their ability to predict the future. Adam Tooze. FT, 30 January
Is China's tech 'crackdown' over? Plus: A state-backed ride-hailing app? And regulating synthetic media. Tianyu Fang and Graham Webster. DigiChina, 31 January
Diversification isn’t enough to cure Europe’s economic dependence on China. Francesca Ghiretti and Hanns W. Maull. The Diplomat, 30 January
China may offer loans to countries, but it isn’t ready to talk about debts. Mehreen Khan. The Times, 31 January