China News - 8 December 2021
International
UK rejects visa scheme expansion to HK youths. The Government on Tuesday turned down Damian Green’s amendment to the Nationality and Borders Bill, which called for the BN(O) visa scheme to be expanded to all Hongkongers 18 to 25 years of age, as long as one of their parents has BN(O) status. Immigration minister Kevin Foster claimed that the expansion would be too broad, and suggested the existing Youth Mobility Scheme would offer a pathway for young Hong Kongers to make the move to the UK. The Standard, 8 December
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss to outline UK’s foreign policy priorities. In her first major speech as the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Affairs at Chatham House, Truss is expected to call for deeper ties with British allies and warn that the democratic world has taken its eye off the ball in recent years. Chatham House (register here), 8 December
Beijing Winter Olympics
Britain urged to follow US with Beijing Olympics snub. China Research Group co-chair Alicia Kearns said she was "delighted" that US diplomats will boycott the Games next year and that she hopes the Government is actively considering a political and diplomatic boycott over the Chinese Communist Party’s human rights record in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. The Express, Reuters, 7 December
Australia joins US in diplomatic boycott of Beijing Olympics. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said a deterioration in the diplomatic relationship between Australia and China led to the decision, but that athletes will still attend. The Times, 8 December
IOC says it ‘respects’ US boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics. The Guardian, 7 December
On cusp of chancellery, Scholz warns Russia, goes softer on China. The incoming German leader wants to act ‘in the common interest of Europe’ and stresses ‘cooperation’ with Beijing. Politico, 7 December
China-Pakistan Belt and Road Initiative hits buffers. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $50bn flagship BRI component that includes power plants, industrial clusters and road and rail upgrades, has been stymied by disagreements, terrorism and Covid. Chinese FDI in Pakistan in the quarter that ended in September was just $76.9m, compared with $154.9m in the same quarter last year. FT, 7 December
US and Taiwan aim for new trade framework to tackle supply chain and semiconductor issues. Taiwan and the US have agreed during high-level talks to cooperate through a new Technology Trade and Investment Collaboration (TTIC) framework, according to the American Institute in Taiwan. SCMP, 7 December
Bhutan struggles to defend territory in India-China border spat. Bloomberg, 8 December
How Uruguay’s trade talks with China have big implications for Latin America. FT, 7 December
Economy & tech
Apple poised to become first $3 trillion company amid reports of China deal. A report by The Information website revealed that chief executive Tim Cook brokered a $275bn deal with Chinese officials to invest in Chinese companies, manufacturing and research partnerships with universities in 2016 to placate threats that would have hobbled its devices and services in the country. The Guardian, The Telegraph, 7 December
Beijing seeks to orchestrate slow-motion collapse for Evergrande. Officials face challenges untangling the heavily indebted group while minimising damage to the property sector. Kaisa Group, the biggest international borrower in China’s real estate sector after Evergrande, suspended trading of its shares on Wednesday after a $400m bond matured without any sign of payment to investors. FT, The Guardian, 7 December
Beijing leaves antitrust out of 2022 economic goals, focuses on technological development. A meeting of the Communist Party’s Politburo left out mentions of the ‘disorderly expansion of capital’ that last year signalled a widening tech crackdown. SCMP, 7 December
Beijing preparing blacklist for start-ups seeking foreign funding through variable interest entities. FT, 8 December
With mind set in self sufficiency, China announces new record grain production in 2021. MercoPress, 7 December
China focus
Allegiance to Xi Jinping now a requirement for China’s journalists. A new report from Reporters Without Borders noted that Chinese journalists are required to complete a minimum of 90 hours of training every year on “Xi Jinping Thought” and that at least 127 Chinese and foreign reporters are currently detained by the authorities. The Telegraph, The Guardian, 7 December
Xi Jinping calls for strengthening legislation in national security, sci-tech innovation. Noting that China is now at a critical stage toward achieving national rejuvenation, Xi called for efforts to strengthen legislation in key areas such as national security, scientific and technological innovation, biosecurity, ecological civilization and risk prevention. Xinhua, CGTN, 7 December
Chinese weddings fall to 13-year low as demographic crisis brews. FT, 8 December
China’s latest online debate: should the Government try to be funny? Sixth Tone, 7 December
Opinion & editorial
The Hong Kong visa scheme is an immigration policy done right. With little fanfare, Hong Kongers have settled across the United Kingdom. It is something of which we can be incredibly proud. Julia Pamilih. The Telegraph, 7 December
‘More cautious’ China shifts Africa approach from debt to vaccine diplomacy. After two decades of major financial aid, Beijing is rethinking its strategy on the continent amid Covid crisis and fierce competition for power. Vincent Ni and Helen Davidson. The Guardian, 8 December
China will soon lead in tech. Beijing pulls ahead in 5G and artificial intelligence, while catching up in semiconductors. Graham Allison and Eric Schmidt. WSJ, 7 December
Omicron is a horrible dilemma for zero-Covid China. Ambrose Evans-Pritchard. The Telegraph, 7 December
Long reads
Betting on democracy: Biden’s big idea for US foreign policy. Facing competition from China and Russia, the White House is emphasising liberal values. But will it push autocracies closer together? Edward Luce. FT, 8 December
How Nairobi’s ‘road for the rich’ resulted in thousands of homes reduced to rubble. About 40,000 people have been made homeless by demolition works for a major Chinese-backed toll road in Kenya’s capital. Ed Ram. The Guardian, 8 December
Forum: Chinese involvement in international technical standards. What's the big deal, and what isn't, with Chinese standards efforts. DigiChina, 7 December
Explaining China’s climate cop out. William Hurst. The Diplomat, 8 December