China News 8 September 2020
International
Australia evacuates journalists from China amid ‘national security’ probe. The last two reporters working in China for Australian media have flown home after a five-day diplomatic standoff. Reuters, BBC, AFR, 8 September
China and India accuse each other of opening fire as border tensions rise. It would be the first time in 45 years that shots were fired on the disputed Himalayan border. BBC, The Guardian, Bloomberg, 8 September
Disney criticised for filming Mulan in China's Xinjiang. The film’s final credits thank the government security agency in Xinjiang province. BBC, The Guardian, 8 September
Holiday to Turkey led to concentration camp for Uighurs. The Times reports that a Uighur woman’s trip to visit her brother in Turkey was used as the basis for her detention in a Xinjiang camp. The Times, 7 September
Trump raises prospect of ‘decoupling’ US economy from China. FT, 7 September
US may ban cotton from Xinjiang over human rights concerns. NYT, 7 September
US border agents turn up the heat on Chinese students. FT, 8 September
Eyeing China, Taiwan calls for an alliance of democracies against ‘aggressive actions’. Reuters, 8 September
South China Sea: Beijing sends defence minister to Malaysia, Indonesia ahead of Asean meetings. SCMP, 8 September
Zimbabwe government grants Chinese companies permission to begin mining in protected Hwange National Park. The Times, 8 September
China offers Taliban road network in exchange for peace after US military withdrawal. FT, 8 September
Economy & tech
China takes aim at US 'bullying' of its tech firms. China’s State Councillor Wang Yi spoke at the launch of a new Chinese initiative seeking global standards on data security. BBC, WSJ, 8 September
China has reached about 96 per cent of its target to build 500,000 5G base stations this year. SMCP, 7 September
Xi’s post-virus economic strategy for China looks inward. NYT, 7 September
New Chinese owner of Thomas Cook looks to relaunch business. Plans drawn up by the Chinese conglomerate Fosun could see Thomas Cook return as an online travel agent. The Guardian, 7 September
Longer reads & opinion
Australian journalists' flight from China is a blow for a relationship near breaking point. The Guardian, 8 September
Forget TikTok. China’s powerhouse app is WeChat, and its power is sweeping. NYT, 4 September
Erosion of nuclear deterrence makes India-China relations critical. FT, 7 September
Joe Biden, if president, will push China to do more on climate, adviser says. Biden’s adviser also puts China “at or near the top of the list of big global challenges”. The Guardian, 7 September
Events
British Foreign Policy Group: The Future of UK-China Relations. Today, 5pm - 6pm with Tom Tugendhat MP, Cindy Yu, Professor Rana Mitter and Sophia Gaston. Sign up here.