International
Taiwan
China-Taiwan military tensions 'worst in 40 years'. Defence minister Chiu Kuo-cheng also warned China would be capable of mounting a full-scale invasion of the island by 2025 after China sent a "record numbers" of military jets into Taiwan's air defence zone for four consecutive days. The remarks follow appeals by Taipei to the international community to support the country against Chinese aggression. BBC, FT, The Guardian, The Times, 6 October
Biden says he and China's Xi have agreed to abide by Taiwan agreement. President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that he had spoken to Xi Jinping about abiding by the Taiwan agreement. Biden appeared to be referring to Washington's long-standing 'One China policy' under which it officially recognises Beijing rather than Taipei, and the Taiwan Relations Act, which makes clear that the US decision to establish diplomatic ties with Beijing rests upon the expectation that the future of Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means. Reuters, Al Jazeera, 6 October
Tony Abbott arrives in Taiwan to address regional forum amid rising tensions with China. The Guardian, 5 October
French delegation heads to Taiwan to meet senior officials. SCMP, 5 October
White House confirms US national security adviser and China’s top diplomat will meet this week in Switzerland. The White House confirmed on Tuesday that US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will meet with China’s top diplomat, Yang Jiechi, in Europe this week, as the two sides seek to cover how to ‘responsibly manage tensions’. SCMP, FT, Reuters, Sina, CGTN, 5 October
EU leaders discuss need to ‘rebalance’ relations with China, at first talks about Beijing in a year. China had slipped down the agenda of Tuesday’s talks after Afghanistan and the Aukus defence pact were added as discussion points at a late stage. SCMP, Independent, Politico, 5 October
Huawei hopes US decision on Meng Wanzhou heralds new era in relations. According to The Guardian, sources closely involved in Huawei’s three-year court battle to block Meng’s extradition regard her release as removing a roadblock in relations between the company and the US authorities, and even between China and the US. The Guardian, 6 October
Between China and Africa, a ‘Digital Silk Road’. The COVID-19 pandemic has deepened cooperation between China and governments across the continent. Sixth Tone, 6 October
NZ frigate sails with UK Carrier Strike Group through South China Sea. Stuff.nz, October 6
China-India border: New Delhi redirects Pakistan-facing troops, tanks before 13th round of LAC talks. SCMP, 5 October
Economy & tech
Beijing crackdown threatens to crush China’s love of London property. With thousands of high-end flats bankrolled by Chinese developers lie unfinished and unsold, Chinese developers have come under pressure from the so-called “three red lines” — new rules from Beijing that seek to curb excessive leverage across the property sector by limiting the amount companies can borrow. FT, 6 October
New US China trade plan leaves industry hungry for specifics. Having waited eight months for U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai's promised "top-to-bottom" policy review of trade with China, some U.S. industries were complaining over the plan's lack of specifics on negotiations or timing. Reuters, 5 October
The economic threats from China’s real estate bubble. Property’s great investment boom has reached its limit — the economy needs new drivers of demand. FT, 5 October
Evergrande/China property: suspension of disbelief is first of many. FT, 5 October
Apple suppliers warn that China energy disruption threatens supply chain. Nikkei Asia, 5 October
Huawei, ZTE win China Mobile contract for converged 5G and 4G network, leaving out foreign suppliers. SCMP, 5 October
China focus
Hong Kong’s top court adjourns verdict over whether ‘joint enterprise’ applies to rioting cases. The Court of Final Appeal will decide whether citizens could be charged with illegal assembly or rioting, even if not physically present. HKFP, 5 October
China is now the last major country still pursuing a 'zero COVID' strategy. Time, 6 October
Across China: Solar energy lights lives of herders on plateau in Northwest China. Sina, 5 October
Chinese football in doldrums as clubs struggle and World Cup dream fades. The Guardian, 5 October
Longer reads & opinion
Britain needs to move faster on China. Julia Pamilih. The Telegraph, 5 October
UK government must convince China on climate. Stanley Johnson. The Times, 5 October
The end of a ‘Gilded Age’: China is bringing business to heel. Paul Mozur. NYT, 5 October
How China’s incursions are designed to intimidate Taiwan and test the west’s resolve. Ahmed Aboudouh. Independent, 5 October
The US must avoid war with China over Taiwan at all costs. Lt Col Daniel L Davis (ret). The Guardian, 5 October
Japan, a sleeping giant of global affairs, is waking up. Hal Brands. Bloomberg, 5 October
CSIS First Takes: Our Initial Reactions to USTR Tai’s CSIS Speech on China Policy. CSIS, 5 October
Joe Biden’s China trade policy lacks ambition. FT, 5 October
Murky Waters: What next for the AUKUS nations and their allies? Martin Thorley. 9DashLine, 5 October
The west sees China as a “threat”, not as a real place, with real people. Yangyang Cheng. The Guardian, 5 October