China News - 4 December

International

Concerns raised over Chinese health giant’s links to UK universities as the government refuses to investigate its “dangerous” influence. Many academics have warned against allowing BGI Group so much access to the UK’s DNA research given its close ties with Beijing and the PLA. Jim Norton. Daily Mail Online, 30 November

UK’s data regulator resists call to investigate China’s BGI over genomic concerns. Britain’s data regulator has resisted calls from lawmakers to investigate the prenatal tests of a Chinese gene company over how it handles the genomic data of consumers. Alistair Smout. Reuters, 1 December

Five senators ask Biden to impose China travel ban after respiratory illness cases. A letter signed by Marco Rubio and 4 others said “we should immediately restrict travel between the US and (China) until we know more about the dangers posed by this new illness”. David Shepardson. Reuters, 2 December

Belarus President Lukashenko heading to China second time this year. President Alexander Lukashenko is in Beijing for a “working visit” for the second time this year. Lidia Kelly. Reuters, 3 December

Bangkok's plan to buy high-cost warship from China raises alarm. Thailand’s new civilian-led administration is being criticised over its plan to go ahead with the purchase of a Chinese navy frigate. Wasamon Audjarint. Voanews, 1 December

Economy & Tech

Chinese developer Evergrande wins more time for restructuring deal. Linda Chan, a Hong Kong judge, has delayed a decision on Evergrande’s liquidation in an unexpected move that gives the property developer an extra month. Kaye Wiggins and Chan Ho-him. Financial Times, 4 December

China’s economic heft sinks for first time in three decade. This year the US’ economy will outperform China’s, as a result of the decline in the yuan and also the resilience of the American consumer. Chris Anstey. Bloomberg, 2 December

Chinese borrowers default in record numbers as economic crisis deepens. More than 8mn people have been blacklisted by the Chinese authorities after missed payments on mortgages and business loans. Sun Yu. Financial Times, 3 December

Greenhouse gas emissions soar - with China, US and India most at fault. Satellite tracking data shows many countries and firms do report their emissions correctly. Fiona Harvey, Oliver Milman and Damian Carrington. The Guardian, 3 December

Opinion & long-reads

EU must stand up for Taiwan at China summit. A mild line on Beijing’s continued threats to the island’s democracy would lead to far greater risks in the future. Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Financial Times, 4 December

The most dangerous conflict no one is talking about. The South China Sea is one of the least talked about but most potentially explosive of the world’s hot spots. Timothy McLaughlin. The Atlantic, 2 December