China News - 31 March 2022
International
Russia pledges to create 'just, democratic world order' with China. Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday pledged to work towards a "multipolar, just and democratic world order", as he embarked on a trip to China in the hope of securing Beijing’s backing in the ongoing war against Ukraine. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said the two countries are "more determined" to develop bilateral ties and boost cooperation. The Telegraph, Reuters, FT, 30 March
GCHQ spy chief in warning to China over Ukraine invasion. Sir Jeremy Fleming said that China’s long-term interests are not well served by an alliance with a country that “wilfully and illegally” ignores international rules. He said the Kremlin regards China as a supplier of weapons, technology, and a potential market for its oil and gas but suggested President Xi has a "more nuanced" view of the relationship. Evening Standard, 30 March
Hong Kong: Top UK judges resign from highest court. The UK has announced that two of its Supreme Court judges - President Lord Robert Reed and Lord Patrick Hodge - will no longer be sitting on Hong Kong's top court after the Foreign Secretary said that it is no longer tenable for serving UK judges to sit on Hong Kong’s top court. BBC, Sky News, 30 March
Cheng Lei: Australian journalist on trial in China for spy charge. A Beijing court is holding a closed-door trial for Australian journalist and former TV anchor; Australia's ambassador to China Graham Fletcher said he and other Australian officials had been denied entry into the hearing. BBC, The Guardian, 31 March
Brussels treads fine line with China on Russia. Ahead of tomorrow’s EU-China summit, EU concerns over economic disentanglement from China are greater than elsewhere. FT, 31 March
Britain to maintain anti-dumping provisions on some Chinese, Russian steel. SCMP, 31 March
China tightens restrictions and bars scholars from international conferences. NPR, 30 March
Pacific leader urges Solomon Islands to rethink China security deal. The Guardian, 31 March
Economy & tech
China PMI contracts as Covid outbreaks spark lockdowns. China’s manufacturing and services activity contracted in March for the first time in almost two years as state media reported that Premier Li Keqiang, head of China’s State Council, was preparing efforts to support economic growth. FT, Bloomberg, 31 March
Arm plans transfer of shares in renegade China unit to speed up IPO. The British chip designer has struggled to regain control of its China business for almost two years. Its inability to audit the financials of the unit, which contributed about one-fifth of revenue last year, is a big sticking point for a blockbuster public offering. FT, 30 March
China's CNOOC plans North Sea oil exit in strategic shift. China's biggest offshore producer is preparing to exit one of the North Sea's largest field in a strategic shift of focus to newer oil and gas developments and away from Western assets, banking and industry sources said. Reuters, 30 March
BP courts Chinese and Indian energy majors in bid to offload Russia assets. Energy Voice, 31 March
Huawei faces dilemma over Russia links that risk further US sanctions. FT, 31 March
China focus
China defends zero-Covid crackdown as cases surge. China’s zero-Covid policy was personally ordered by President Xi, state media have said, suggesting that Beijing will forge ahead with tight restrictions and lockdowns as cases surge to record levels. The Times, 30 March
New provincial party chiefs appointed ahead of National Congress. Eurasia Group analyst Neil Thomas offers a rundown of the incoming CCP provincial-level leaders:
China schools its teachers with classroom guide to Beijing’s messaging on Ukraine. SCMP, 30 March
Opinion & long reads
Liz Truss: China’s repression of Hong Kong makes British judges’ position untenable. The Times, 30 March
Russia crisis gives EU a grim sense of what’s to come with China. Beijing’s close ties to Russia despite the invasion of Ukraine has raised fears in Western capitals. Stuart Lau. Politico, 31 March
Is China helping the Kremlin stash away billions in offshore accounts? Anomalous transactions linking the countries could all be a coincidence – but it would be quite a big one. Ben Wright. The Telegraph, 31 March
Taiwan, Cross-strait Stability and European Security: Implications and Response Options. IISS, 30 March