China News - 7 September 2021
International
UK orders national security review of graphene firm’s takeover by Chinese scientist. Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has ordered a national security review of a takeover by a Chinese academic of a small Welsh manufacturer of graphene. Perpetuus, which has three sites in south Wales, makes graphene and carbon nanotubes, materials that are hoped to have useful applications in an array of industries ranging from electronics and defence to medicine. The Guardian, The Times, Gov statement, 7 September
Britain shows off Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier to Japan. Japan's defence minister, Nobuo Kishi, and senior Japanese military commanders were shown round the carrier on its visit to a naval base near Tokyo. Reuters, 6 Sepember
Chinese students on edge amid lengthy delays for UK visa applications. Caixin has learned of delays experienced by students who have submitted their applications to visa centres. The British Embassy in Beijing has issued a statement saying the Home Office is experiencing delays after a high number of applications. Caixin, 6 September
The City must hug China close in order to thrive, City lobbyists say. TheCityUK, which represents financial and professional service companies across London, said ministers should help firms work with China on developing its capital markets. The Telegraph, 7 September
Jimmy Lai’s Hong Kong media group files for liquidation. Next Digital said the Hong Kong government had never indicated which Apple Daily articles had allegedly violated the national security law. The Guardian, 6 September
Genetics journal that carried articles helpful to Chinese state surveillance hit by editorial board resignations. Nine members of the editorial board of the journal Molecular Genetics and Genomic Medicine have resigned after the journal’s editor failed to tackle concerns that it had published articles from China potentially useful in the genetic surveillance of oppressed minorities. BMJ, 6 September
University of Stirling launches new partnership with Chengdu University. The partnership enables students to study degrees in Sports Studies, Data Science and Digital Media, awarded from both universities. Stirling press release, 6 September
Prominent campaigner for Uyghur rights in Xinjiang barred from Kazakhstan. The Guardian, 7 September
China’s top universities told to stop slacking off on Communist Party ideology. SCMP, 7 September
China focus
China’s Xi Jinping, Liu He move to reassure private sector as Beijing’s Big Tech crackdown rattles entrepreneurs. Liu He said private firms must be offered “vigorous” support so they can play a more significant part in growing China’s economy, creating jobs and deepening technological innovation. SCMP, 6 September
China warns of ‘malicious’ capital outflows as financial markets brace for US tapering. At Saturday’s China International Finance Annual Forum, Fang Xinghai, deputy chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), called for enhanced monitoring of cross-border money flows to maintain the stability of capital markets. SCMP, 6 September
China issues plan for further developing Shenzhen-HK cooperation zone. Xinhua, 7 September
Alibaba sexual assault case dropped as China police say ‘forcible indecency’ not a crime. The Guardian, 7 September
China’s Sinopharm seeks to develop its own mRNA Covid vaccine. FT, 6 September
China Evergrande bonds suspended as prices plunge. Reuters, 6 September
China's Weibo bans BTS fan account for illegal fundraising. The Independent, 6 September
Economy & tech
TikTok overtakes YouTube for average watch time in US and UK. Data from app monitoring firm App Annie indicates that average time per user spent on the apps is higher for TikTok, indicating high levels of engagement. BBC, 6 September
Chinese government funds invest in ride-hailing rival to Didi. Cao Cao Mobility announced that it has raised Rmb3.8bn ($588m) from state-owned funds. FT, 6 September
Beijing city denies it is advising companies to invest in Didi. Bloomberg News had reported that Beijing was considering taking Didi under state control and proposed that government-run companies invest in Didi. Reuters, 6 September
BMW confident sales in China will increase next year - finance chief. Reuters, 6 September
Longer reads & opinion
Long read - China and Big Tech: Xi’s blueprint for a digital dictatorship. By controlling a huge volume of data, Beijing is conducting a grand experiment in 21st century authoritarian governance. FT, 7 September
How many of the Chinese Communist Party elite were educated at a UK university? Yang Jiechi, Chen Jining and Liu Jianchao were educated in the UK. HEPI, 3 September
Podcast: Ancestors and demons: a brief history of Chinese religion. The Spectator, 7 September
Weekend Long Read: How Manners Matter to Chinese Diplomat Fu Ying. An excerpt from Former Chinese Ambassador to the UK Fu Ying offers a rare glimpse into the Chinese diplomatic world. Caixin, 5 September
Opinion: Finally, a Chinese car brand to take seriously in Europe. Great Wall’s Wey Coffee receives strong reviews. Autocar, 6 September