China News - 31 July
International
China using families as “hostages” to quash Uyghur dissent abroad. Beijing is pressuring Uyghurs living abroad to spy on human rights activists by threatening their families back home. Refugees and campaigners tell the BBC intimidating tactics are tearing these communities apart. Sam Judah. BBC News, 31 July
Joining China's Belt and Road was an “atrocious” decision, says Italian minister. According to Italian Defence Minister, Guido Crosetto, Italy made an “improvised and atrocious” decision to join the BRI, becoming the only major Western country to take such a step. Now Italy must consider how to get out of the agreement while retaining a good trading relationship with Beijing. Alvise Armellini. Reuters, 30 July
Le Maire says France wants better China access, not decoupling. The French Finance Minister insists that France wants better access to the Chinese market and a more “balanced” trade relationship, not a complete “decoupling”. This follows “constructive” trade talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. Martin Quin Pollard. Reuters, 30 July
US and Australia insist political tussle will not damage submarine deal. Blinken confirmed that there was “robust bipartisan support” for AUKUS, a trilateral agreement between the UK, US and Australia, designed to counter China in the Indo-Pacific. US and Australian officials have rejected concerns that a political fight in Washington could damage efforts to procure nuclear-powered submarines in the region. Nic Fildes and Demetri Sevastopulo. Financial Times, 29 July
US to provide Taiwan with weapons from its stockpiles for the first time. Biden has agreed to send $343mn in weapons to Taiwan, this will be the first time the Pentagon will send arms directly to Taiwan to boost its defences amid rising concern about assertive Chinese military activity. Previous US governments have approved the sale of weapons to Taiwan, but this is the first time the arms have been provided under the PDA. Demetri Sevastopulo. Financial Times, 29 July
North Korea’s Kim vows to boost cooperation with China to “new high”. The meeting took place after Chinese and Russian officials stood shoulder to shoulder with Kim during the 70th anniversary military parades in Pyongyang. Soo-hyang Choi. Reuters, 29 July
Vladimir Putin says African and Chinese initiatives could be basis for peace in Ukraine. A 10-point African Peace Initiative was presented to Moscow last month calling for peace through negotiations. Beijing sent top envoys to Kyiv and Moscow in May to encourage peace talks alongside a 12-point Peace Initiative. Olive Enokido-Lineham. Sky News, 30 July
Economy & Tech
France’s Eramet blames lack of EU funds for deeper partnership with Chinese. The French company says mining groups need more EU support to develop critical resources for electric car batteries. Mining group Eramet has partnered with a controversial Chinese group in Indonesia on a vast nickel project. Harry Dempsey and Alice Hancock. Financial Times, 30 July
Bosch boss urges Europe to be more competitive and worry less about China. Stefan Hartung’s call follows Germany’s warning that companies should reduce their dependence on Beijing. He says that governments should instead target improvements to the single market to become competitive. Patricia Nilsson. Financial Times, 29 July
Battery power: how China could take charge of the electric vehicle market. China’s manufacturers are starting to dominate sales charts and supply chains for crucial materials. The Guardian, 29 July
Opinion & long-reads
Warning that Chinese electric car “invasion” could paralyse Britain. People in the UK face “major security issues” from Chinese cars, according to Professor Jim Saker, president of the Institute of the Motor Industry. While regulators test car samples for spyware or other security vulnerabilities, testing thousands of vehicles is not feasible. Howard Mustoe. Telegraph, 30 July
Why a more confident US is less likely to go to war with China. July has been filled with diplomatic meetings between China and America, many are hoping this signals the start of a “new normal” for the relationship between the two countries. Terry Su. South China Morning Post, 29 July
Lee Meng-chu: Taiwan businessman accused of spying in China is freed. Lee was arrested in 2019 after he took photos of police officers in Shenzhen, and was accused of espionage and stealing state secrets. He says during much of his time in jail he was “deprived of political rights”. BBC News, 29 July
Why it’s getting easier to be a single mum in China. Until recently it was not really possible for unmarried women to become mothers, but now social change is underway and driving shifts in policy. It was not possible to get birth certificates or paid maternity leave without proof of marriage, now the rules are changing. Stephen McDonell. BBC News, 29 July
Northern China prepares for Doksuri floods, Beijing residents told to stay indoors. Doksuri has already caused hundreds of thousands to evacuate their homes in southern areas, now Beijing is bracing for record rains. Ningwei Qin, Kevin Yao and Ryan Woo. Reuters, 30 July