News Updates

26 November - 9 December, 2019

U.S. House Passes Xinjiang Bill, Prompting Threat From China
Bipartisan bill seeks to support Uighur minority in Xinjiang China vowed unspecified retaliation, complicating trade talks The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation that would impose sanctions on Chinese officials over human rights abuses against Muslim minorities, prompting Beijing to threaten possible retaliation just as the world’s two largest economies seek to close a trade deal. (Bloomberg, December 3, 2019)
China protests as US House passes Uygur bill demanding sanctions over human rights abuses in Xinjiang camps
Legislation urges US government to act to counter China’s crackdown on Muslims and other minority groups. It would prohibit the export of certain US technologies that could be used in state-sponsored suppression. (South China Morning Post, December 4, 2019)
Macao to firmly hold onto the great initiative of “one country, two systems” principle
“One country, two systems” is an important principle in the endeavor of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to lead Chinese people toward the peaceful reunification of China, and represents a great initiative of the country in its pursuit of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Time witnesses the extraordinary development of Macao during the past 20 years. Since its return to China, the special administrative region (SAR) has enjoyed long-term social harmony and stability guaranteed by the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the Basic Law of Macao SAR. (People’s Daily, China, December 9, 2019)
Donald Trump signs Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act into law, brushing off China’s warnings
Trump signs legislation that could sanction Hong Kong government for not maintaining its autonomy from mainland China under ‘one country, two systems’ framework. Beijing has blasted the act as ‘meddling’ and vowed ‘consequences’ if the US leader signed it. (South China Morning Post, November 28, 2019)
Macau dismisses suggestion high-profile Americans were barred in retaliation against Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act Security chief says entry decisions based on ‘safety risks and threats’, calls alternative theory ‘speculation’. Chairman and president of American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong denied access to Macau on Saturday. (South China Morning Post, December 9, 2019)
CHINA IMPOSES SANCTIONS ON U.S. NGOS OVER HONG KONG BILL
Last week, President Trump signed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which had earlier been passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The act would impose penalties on the Chinese government for various acts of repression in Hong Kong while also requiring an annual review of Hong Kong’s freedoms. The new law will require the US to annually confirm that Hong Kong’s special freedoms are being maintained by Beijing — failure to do so could result in Washington withdrawing the city’s special status, a massive blow to the Hong Kong economy. (China Digital Times, December 2, 2019)
China suspends US Navy visits and sanctions American NGOs over bill supporting Hong Kong protests
China has introduced sanctions against US pro-democracy NGOs and restrictions on US military presence in Hong Kong, after US President Donald Trump signed a bill supporting Hong Kong protesters last week. On Monday, China’s Foreign Ministry said that US military vessels and aircraft would not be able to visit Hong Kong. The move followed Beijing’s threat that it would take “firm counter measures” if Mr Trump signed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which could lead to US sanctions on human rights violators in Hong Kong. (The Telegraph, December 2, 2019)
Hong Kong elections: pro-democracy camp wins 17 out of 18 districts while city leader says she will reflect on the result
Tsunami of disaffection washes over city as pro-Beijing camp left reeling by record turnout and overwhelming defeat. Result set to give pan-democrats increase in seats on committee that chooses city’s chief executive. (South China Morning Post. November 25, 2019)

16 - 25 November, 2019

Chinese diplomat rejects U.S. allegations against Pakistan project
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing on Friday rejected a U.S. diplomat's allegations against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), saying the facts illustrating the project's success speak for themselves. (People’s Daily, China, November 24, 2019)
Hong Kong investors pin hopes on US-China trade deal to boost Hang Seng Index next year, shrug off protest impact
42 per cent of investors surveyed by Bright Smart Securities expect the Hang Seng Index to rise 5 per cent next year, while only 6 per cent see it declining from the current level
JPMorgan Asset Management too upgraded its outlook on global equities from ‘slightly underweight’ to ‘slightly overweight’ to reflect its positive view of the US economy. (South China Morning Post, China, November 19, 2019)
US should stop its provocation over Taiwan and South China Sea, Beijing defence minister tells Mark Esper
Wei Fenghe calls on Washington to cease flexing its muscles, while Esper says his country seeks a free and open Indo-Pacific. But the two defence ministers discuss how military-to-military cooperation can be a ‘stabiliser’ in the broader relationship. (South China Morning Post, China, November 19, 2019)
China has the ‘resolution and power’ to end Hong Kong unrest amid protests, says ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming
Diplomat says central government will not ‘sit on its hands and watch’ if the situation deteriorates when asked if PLA could be deployed in city
Liu blames protesters for unleashing ‘black terror’ and restates government’s backing for city’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam. (South China Morning Post, China, November 19, 2019)
HK court's ruling draws criticism
A ruling by the High Court in Hong Kong related to the Emergency Regulations Ordinance and the anti-mask law has drawn severe criticism from central authorities and legal professionals who expressed concern that such a ruling challenge the authority of the country’s top legislature and will have a serious negative social and political impact. (People’s Daily, China, November 20, 2019)
BRICS will continue to play a decisive role in shaping the world economic order
Naina Lal Kidwai, member of BRICS Business Council of India, chairman of India financial services working group, and former president of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), receives an interview with People’s Daily recently. The following is an excerpt from the interview. (People’s Daily, China, November 21, 2019)
US Hong Kong bill nothing but a vain attempt to interfere in China's internal affairs
The US Senate passed the so-called Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 on Tuesday local time despite strong opposition from the Chinese government.
As a barefaced encouragement to the Hong Kong rioters, this act neglects facts and truth, applies double standards and blatantly interferes in China’s internal affairs. (People’s Daily, China, November 22, 2019)
Xi says Chinese dream by no means hegemonistic
Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday realizing the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation is by no means to seek hegemony. Saying he has full confidence in China's prospects for development, Xi noted China does not intend to replace any power, rather, its aim is to "regain the dignity and status it deserves." The president made the remarks when meeting with foreign delegates attending the 2019 New Economy Forum held in Beijing. (People’s Daily, China, November 23, 2019)
No force can stop China from growing stronger: Chinese state councilor
China's development and growth is an irreversible trend of history and no force can stop it, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Saturday. Wang made the remarks during a meeting with Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) Foreign Ministers' Meeting. The United States, engaging in unilateralism and protectionism while undermining multilateralism and the multilateral trading system, has become the biggest source of global instability, Wang said. (People’s Daily, China, November 24, 2019)

1 - 15 November, 2019

NATO naming China the enemy will lead to consequences
Some people in the US are designing NATO's top concern and have found a new enemy for the organization - China. According to VOA, US President Donald Trump will meet with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg later this week and the so-called security threat from China will be one of major topics on their agenda. However, NATO should know better on what it means to take on China as its enemy. (Global Times, China, November 13, 2019)
Chinese premier calls for intensified SCO cooperation
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Saturday called on member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to intensify cooperation in areas of security, openness and trade, connectivity, innovation and the sharing of development achievements in order to further promote the SCO cooperation. (People’s Daily, China, November 3, 2019)
Li urges China, ASEAN to uphold multilateralism, free trade
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Sunday called on China and ASEAN to uphold multilateralism and free trade, resist risks and realize common development at the 22nd China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting in Bangkok. (People’s Daily, China, November 4, 2019)
Interview: BRICS carries global weight as champion of multilateralism, says expert
The emerging-market bloc of BRICS carries global weight as a champion of multilateralism and against protectionism, Brazilian political analyst Mauricio Santoro has said. (People’s Daily, China, November 13, 2019)
Interview: China's poverty-alleviation campaign "a huge success": Nobel laureate
China's efforts in fighting poverty over the past decades has been "a huge success" amid the sustained growth in the country driven by reform and opening-up, a U.S. development economist and Nobel laureate has said. (People’s Daily, China, November 14, 2019)
Xi says ready to maintain close communication with Modi for better China-India ties
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Wednesday, saying he is willing to maintain close communication with Modi to guide a better and more stable development of China-India relations. (Global Times, China, November 14, 2019)
US provokes China with Taiwan Straits transit, pressures trade talks: expert
Warship movements kept under PLA surveillance The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command said the US guided-missile cruiser's transit through the Taiwan Straits was kept under surveillance and Chinese experts said that China should strengthen its military capability as the US increases its military provocations targeting China's sovereignty over Taiwan, which could increase potential risks of a military conflict. (Global Times, China, November 14, 2019)
China updates patriotic education push to forge stronger national identity – including in Hong Kong
Sweeping guidelines define patriotism as love of motherland, socialism and Communist Party They are an update to a similar set Beijing issued 25 years ago. Beijing has issued a new set of “patriotic education” guidelines, calling on the public to nurture an “open and tolerant, rational and peaceful” attitude to a fast-changing world and China’s place in it. (South China Morning Post, China, November 14, 2019)

News Updates

Archives