China News - 9 November
International
China makes “opening play” on methane policy ahead of UN climate summit. 3 weeks before COP28, China has set out a plan to take more “forceful” action to tackle methane. It fails to specify definitive targets for emissions cuts and is vague about timelines. Attracta Mooney. Financial Times, 7 November
Eying further deals, Taiwan signs new trade partnership with Britain. Taiwan and Britain signed an Enhanced Trade Partnership on Wednesday that Taipei hopes will further boost its case to join a major pan-Pacific free trade pact and bolster the island’s ties with the West. Ben Blanchard. Reuters, 8 November
China and Australia agree to new multi-entry visa as Albanese touts improved relationship after thaw. A joint statement was released welcoming “the contribution of people-to-people exchanges to the bilateral relationship, including the increasing exchanges of students, tourists and business people”. The countries have also agreed to resume annual leaders meetings. Katharine Murphy. The Guardian, 7 November
Biden briefed on Chinese effort to put military base in Oman. Biden was told that Chinese military officers discussed the possibility with Omani counterparts. China has recently been deepening ties with the Middle East, and an Oman base would compliment the Chinese facility in Djibouti. Michelle Jamrisko and Jennifer Jacobs. Bloomberg, 7 November
A new law supercharged electric car manufacturing, but not sales. Biden’s climate law has stimulated a surge of investment in EV production across the country. Jim Tankersley, Ana Swanson, Jack Ewing and Coral Davenport. The New York Times, 8 November
Putin lauds Russia’s “high-tech” military cooperation with China. Putin lauded the important “high-tech” Russia-China military cooperation during a meeting with a top Chinese general. Guy Faulconbridge. Reuters, 8 November
Economy & Tech
Western businesses flock back to Shanghai trade fair despite tensions. Nicholas Burns, the US ambassador to China, said “we have the largest number of businesses and exhibitors this year- that’s more than any other country” at the China International Import Expo. Thomas Hale and Wang Xueqiao. Financial Times, 7 November
China authorities ask Ping An to take controlling stake in Country Garden. Chinese authorities have reportedly asked Ping An Insurance Group to take a controlling stake in China’s biggest private property developer. Reuters, 8 November
Opinion & long-reads
A weakened China badly needs detente with the West. Amin Maalouf, the president of L’Academie Francaise, said “I think that we are not far away from a form of detente between China and the US”, adding that he believes both countries have tactical reasons for rapprochement, but China is the “demandeur”. Ambrose Evans-Pritchard. Telegraph, 7 November
China “world’s biggest debt collector” as poorer nations struggle with its loans. It is estimated that China is owed up to $1.5tn, it has started to increase penalties for late payments and cut back on infrastructure projects. Amy Hawkins. The Guardian, 6 November
The global network behind the fentanyl crisis. The “precursor” chemicals used to make fentanyl are produced in nondescript factories in China and sold openly online. Financial Times, 8 November
More people living longer with HIV/Aids in China. Reported cases have risen more than 7000% in the last 20 years with increased testing and better treatment. Although the mortality rate has also gone up. Amy Hawkins. The Guardian, 7 November
Mahjong: a game more fascinating than bridge. On this day 100 years ago. Thetimes, 8 November