China Research Group
@ChinaResearchGp
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A group set up by UK MPs to promote fresh thinking about how Britain should respond to the rise of China.
Joined April 2020
CRG chair @aliciakearns raised an Urgent Question on the attack on a Hong Kong protester at the Chinese consulate in Manchester on Sunday. "We cannot allow the CCP to import their silencing of free speech to British soil."
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Almost 200 British academics are being investigated on suspicion of unwittingly helping the Chinese government build weapons of mass destruction and violating strict export laws. “We could be seeing dozens of academics in courts before long,” a source said.
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MPs from the China Research Group have written to the Foreign Secretary, calling for the U.K. to suspend its extradition agreement with Hong Kong.
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David Perry, a QC, was hired by HK authorities to prosecute nine activists for unlawful assembly. Dominic Raab, who was a human rights lawyer before becoming an MP, said he could not understand how anyone could take on such a case “in good conscience”.
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A new investigation by @thetimes finds British universities have accepted £240m from Chinese institutions, including £60 million from sources now sanctioned by the US government for supplying the Chinese military with fighter jets, communications technology and missiles.
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Today's statement by UK Foreign Secretary: "As three Hong Kong activists begin prison sentences, I urge the Hong Kong and Beijing authorities to bring an end to their campaign to stifle opposition.".
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"Worryingly, debate has flared up over how independent the judiciary should be. In August it emerged that new editions of school textbooks would not refer to a “separation of powers” between the judiciary, executive and legislature in Hong Kong.".
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“When I call for Taiwan to have greater international recongition it’s on account of their democracy, their expertise and as a free market friend - not as a tool in a wider struggle.” @aliciakearns speaking in today’s Taiwan debate
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UK Minister Nigel Adam's statement today on HK: "The latest arrests of activists and democratically elected lawmakers has all the hallmarks of being a politically driven, sustained attempt to stifle opposition by the Hong Kong government.".
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The Chinese government is funding British YouTube stars to produce pro-China propaganda videos, an investigation by The Times finds.
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News summary:. * President Xi still yet to congratulate Biden on victory.* New US congressional-executive report on human rights in Hong Kong.* China offers backing to Guinea president after disputed election.
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Ministers are expected to strengthen reporting obligations for companies under the Modern Slavery Act. This includes fines if companies fail to meet commitments to show due diligence in their supply chains. Magnitsky sanctions remain under consideration.
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The CRG publishes its first full report today, covered in the FT. Written by China expert Charles Parton, it highlights the values difference between the UK and China and the need for a UK watchdog to counter foreign interference.
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Britain’s rule of Hong Kong was an “occupation which violated international conventions” according to draft teaching materials for revamped liberal studies courses that a major publisher has sent to teachers throughout the city.
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Joshua Wong, one of Hong Kong's most high-profile pro-democracy campaigners, has been arrested over illegal assembly by Hong Kong police.
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CRG chair @aliciakearns on the Governor of Xinjiang's visit to the UK next week:. "There is no legitimate reason to allow Erkin Tuniyaz into our country - the only meetings with him should be in a courtroom."
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Thousands of people, particularly in their 20s, are planning to flee on Chinese-issued passports and claim asylum in the UK. Such people are likely to face a far more complex, time-consuming and stressful journey to permanent residency than BNOs.
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CRG chair @aliciakearns raised an Urgent Question with Minister for Security @TomTugendhat about the legal status of overseas Chinese police networks in the UK and whether the Home Office has launched a formal investigation.
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“We urge the Chinese central authorities to re-consider their actions against Hong Kong’s elected legislature and immediately reinstate the Legislative Council members,” foreign ministers from Australia, Britain, Canada, NZ and the US said in a statement.
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The UK and 38 other countries have issued a joint statement at the UN on the human rights situation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. They called for independent observers to be allowed immediate access to Xinjiang.
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The China Research Group has published an explainer on the CCP’s United Front strategy. 🧵 1/7.
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Pew Research: In the UK, around three-quarters now see China in a negative light – up 19 points this year. But a plurality of Europeans still rank China as the world’s top economic power.
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Today's news:. * Hong Kong: First person charged under national security law found guilty.* British state could buy stake in Sizewell nuclear plant to keep CGN out.* China, Hong Kong shares tumble on regulatory clampdowns.
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Hong Kong’s new national security education curriculum will force teachers to warn primary students as young as six years old against “subversion” and to throw out library books considered dangerous to the Chinese state.
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Our daily news summary is out, including:.* Sweden joins calls for COVID-19 origin inquiry.* UK backs inquiry after crisis .* State-run media threatens Netherlands over Taiwan.* Europe tightening controls on foreign investment.* White House trade debate .
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Our news summary includes:. * Leaked Belgian intelligence reports reveal commercial and military spying by China in Brussels.* Hong Kong crackdown: 200 arrested, journalists pepper-sprayed.* Germany urged to confront Chinese government over human rights.
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Today's news:. * ‘A matter of time’: NZ's foreign minister warns China ‘storm’ could be coming.* Beijing to expand Hong Kong office with new departments for national security and propaganda.* China’s Tibet Party chief targets religion and separatism.
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BREAKING: an email from the Speaker has notified MPs of a warning from MI5 about solicitor Christine Lee, who has been engaged in interference activities targeting Parliamentarians on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party.
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China has passed legislation allowing for the immediate disqualification of lawmakers in Hong Kong deemed as dangerous to national security, in a move widely seen as heralding the end of political opposition in the city.
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EVENT: Next week, on Tuesday 27 October, the CRG is hosting a virtual panel discussion on UK-China relations in higher education with Steve Tsang, @CindyXiaodanYu and @Will_Tanner, chaired by @TomTugendhat. Register to attend here:
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New: China Research Group committee member, @DamianGreen has put forward an amendment to the Nationality and Borders Bill, supported by @TomTugendhat, to enable those from Hong Kong with at least one parent who is a British national (overseas) to apply for the BNO visa.
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The China Research Group launches our new report tomorrow with a panel discussion featuring @AlexanderDowner, @TomTugendhat, @nathanlawkc, @MahmutRahima and @NeilDotObrien. Details:
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Reminder: Don't miss this panel discussion on universities, academic freedom and influence in an hour⬇️.
EVENT: Next week, on Tuesday 27 October, the CRG is hosting a virtual panel discussion on UK-China relations in higher education with Steve Tsang, @CindyXiaodanYu and @Will_Tanner, chaired by @TomTugendhat. Register to attend here:
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"The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, or another independent fact-finding expert, must – and I repeat must – be given urgent and unfettered access to Xinjiang.".
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The number of research collaborations between scientists in the UK and Chinese institutes with deep connections to the country’s defence forces has tripled to more than 1,000 in six years.
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Reporters from the BBC and other international outlets have been targeted while attempting to cover the devastating floods in Henan.
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The statistics point to the largest population decline in Hong Kong since the authorities began collating comparable records in 1961.
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UK government announces new policies on forced labour:. 1. New guidance for UK businesses on links to Xinjiang.2. Fines for businesses that do not comply with transparency obligations under MSA.3. MSA extended to public sector.4. Review of UK export controls on goods to China
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Ministers are close to publishing a long-awaited national security and investment bill, aiming to tighten the rules governing foreign investment across Britain’s critical infrastructure and parts of its defence industries.
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The British government is exploring ways to remove China’s state-owned nuclear energy company from all future power projects in the UK, including the consortium planning to build the new £20bn Sizewell nuclear power station in Suffolk, via @FT.
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Raab will use an address to the UN human rights council on Monday to urge fellow members to address rights violations in China, Myanmar, Belarus and Russia, with particular emphasis on an independent investigation into forced labour camps run by Beijing.
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The first China Research Group news summary is up on our website - you can also sign up for the daily email there.
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Our daily news summary includes:. * 15 years in jail for critical journalist.* Beijing’s rebuffs WHO request to take part in investigation.* Entire UK order of 250 Chinese ventilators ditched over danger.* Why Japan is reshoring production .* HK protests .
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Nexperia, a Chinese-owned technology company, seized control of Britain’s biggest semiconductor fab after forcing its owners to sell the facility when they failed to deliver on a contract. Executives at the facility had urged ministers to prevent the sale.
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Global Britain: International Trade Secretary Liz Truss confirms that the UK will apply to join the CPTPP "this year".
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British universities have become increasingly dependent on China for a steady stream of students, research partnerships and funding. But there is reasonable cause for concern where the relationship tips into one of over-reliance - @TomTugendhat in @ft.
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Although the techniques were not new, the intensity of the campaigns, and combination of actors involved is increasing, ASPI found.
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During today's Taiwan debate, CRG co-chair @TomTugendhat hailed the achievements of chip manufacturer TSMC - "a keystone of the global economy" - as MPs discussed the case for deeper cooperation between the UK and Taiwan.
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News summary:. * AP report on mass sterilisation programme for Uighurs.* Lords rebellion over Huawei.* Amnesty: National security law for Hong Kong risks turning city into police state.* UK universities given tools to defend freedoms amid fears over China.
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Starting in 1 hour: With the WTO in need of reform and Australia hit by PRC trade coercion, do we need a new alliance for protecting free trade in the 21st century?. Join @bueti, @RobAtkinsonITIF, @AgathaKratz and @TomTugendhat in an hour. Sign up:
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The Chinese state-backed news channel CGTN says it resumed broadcasting in the UK on Friday, after its licence was revoked in February.
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We have new poll out today on Hong Kong and China. Finds that people in the U.K. support the rights of BNO passport holders, and would favour targeted sanctions on those responsible for the security law.
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News summary:. * Beijing ends “one country, two systems” - plans to bypass legislature to impose national security law in Hong Kong. * “Project Defend”: UK government seeks to end strategic dependencies. * “The U.S. and its allies need a NATO for trade”.
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In 2009, China Development Bank (CDB) poured $1 billion into the Venezuelan Economic and Social Development Bank (Bandes). The deal committed to sending almost half of Venezuela's iron ore production to Chinese partners by 2012.
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A new report by the Commons defence committee calls on Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, to draw up a list of hostile countries that should be banned from investing in the UK’s defence supply chain and name China and Russia as the main threats.
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News summary:. * Chinese Foreign Ministry warns of “consequences” for UK over Hong Kong support - says joint declaration not an international agreement. * HSBC supports China’s national security law for Hong Kong. * Hunt warns on threat of Taiwan conflict.
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BNOs: New figures show more than 65,000 Hongkongers have applied for Britain’s bespoke five-year visa scheme since it opened on 31 January.
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"How odd that this matter should cause such an international fury when all sides essentially see eye to eye.". @cnmediaproject on how CGTN sought to argue to Ofcom that it had 'independent editorial control' - despite its well-documented links to the CCP.
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News summary:. * China's military ready to take action in Hong Kong.* Lam says people have free speech “for the time being”.* Beijing says pro-democracy protesters are terrorists.* Former NATO Secretary General says UK should move faster on Huawei ban.
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The @FT reports that the state department will flag concerns about threats including China’s ability to obtain data that foreign companies store in Hong Kong. It would be the first time the US has issued a business advisory in relation to Hong Kong.
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News summary:. * India drops Huawei & ZTE, scraps rail contract following border clashes.* Australia targeted by state-sponsored cyber attack.* EU procurement law to counter Chinese subsidies .* Wang Jisi on why US-China relations are worse than cold war.
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Our daily news summary includes:. * Australian PM writes to UK and G20 leaders, seeking support for international inquiry.* EU allowed Chinese government to censor coronavirus comments.* China borrowing from World Bank at 1%, lending at 6%.
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Today, we publish a major new paper laying out what has changed in the last 18 months with the UK's relationship with China and what the UK should do now.
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News summary. * Zoom disables accounts of former Tiananmen Square student leader “to comply with local law”. * Arm losing control over Chinese joint venture.“No such thing as police brutality in Hong Kong” says pro-Beijing party leader, as 50 arrested.
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New: @NeilDotObrien has written to the Chinese Embassy in the UK seeking clarity over the scope of sanctions against the China Research Group. In today's Telegraph:
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News summary:.* Pompeo says Hong Kong no longer autonomous.* Security law passed: 2,878 for, and 1 against.* Spectator on UK's new approach to China.* Xi says China must step up combat readiness .* German opposition call on Merkel to cancel Leipzig summit.
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Chinese officials have officially acknowledged birth rates in Xinjiang dropped by almost a third in 2018, compared to the previous year. The Xinjiang government claims the drop was due to "the comprehensive implementation of the family planning policy.".
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News summary:.* UK will control Chinese takeovers and monitor university projects.* Pressure grows on HSBC to withdraw security law support.* China threatens to pull plug on new British nuclear plants, as National Security Committee changes China stance .
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Following a campaign led by @aliciakearns, Higher Education Minister @michelledonelan confirms that the UK's Confucius Institutes will be required to declare their funding. Universities may be required to offer alternative provision or to terminate the partnership.
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Our news summary:. * Boris Johnson promises measures to protect UK technology base.* White House publishes new Strategic Approach to China.* China's $1.4 Trillion Plan to Overtake the US in Tech.* Tensions escalate over Taiwan & in Hong Kong .
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Our daily news summary includes.* US spy planes could be pulled from UK as US conducts Huawei review.* Axel Springer CEO says EU& US must "decouple" from China.* US and EU look to reshore production.* Internal report: Beijing faces Tiananmen-like backlash.
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More than 40 lower- and middle-income countries (LMIC) now have levels of debt exposure to China higher than 10 per cent of their national gross domestic product, according to a new @AidData report.
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The foreign ministers of Australia, the United States, Britain and Canada have issued a joint statement expressing “serious concern” about the arrest of 55 democracy activists and supporters in Hong Kong last week.
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In a Liaison Committee meeting, China Research Group chair @TomTugendhat asked Prime Minister Boris Johnson why the takeover of British semiconductor producer Newport Wafer Fab by a Chinese-owned company failed to trigger a review under the National Security and Investment Act.
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The UK government is alerting people in Britain who were named in a Hong Kong national security case to avoid travelling to countries that have extradition treaties with the Chinese territory (via @business).
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News summary:. * Hong Kong security laws will apply to foreigners.* HK Book Fair exhibitors urged not to sell banned books.* Poll shows Europeans’ views on China have become more sceptical during the crisis. * Signs of stress in local banks in China.
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A hidden Chinese tracking device was found in a UK Government car after intelligence officials stripped back vehicles. CRG chair @aliciakearns called on the Government to improve data resilience and accused the CCP of building a “tech totalitarian state.".
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News summary. * Trudeau Rejects China Prisoner Swap.* HK national security law only to be made public after it is passed by China’s legislative body.* British embassy censored in China.* How China’s Mercantilist Policies Have Undermined Global Innovation.
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New: Twenty leading UK universities have collectively accepted more than £40 million in funding from Huawei and state-owned Chinese companies in recent years. Details of the funding were obtained by the China Research Group.
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Our daily news summary includes:.* China sending Muslims from re-education camps to work in other parts of country.* Report lists western firms using Uygur forced labour.* EU chief backs investigation into virus origin.* Beijing’s unfair economic policies.
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News summary:. * Hong Kong: 7 former Foreign Secretaries write to PM.* US says it will end special treatment for HK.* UK university projects with Chinese military criticised .* Huawei to meet with No.10 as PM plans to phase it out over security fears.
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The UK parliamentary pro-Uyghur alliance is proposing that no trade bill regulations be allowed to come into effect if a high court judge makes a preliminary determination that a party to the relevant trade agreement is committing genocide.
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Our daily press summary includes. * China blocks Australian beef after calls for inquiry.* Macron: Xi is “rebuilding an empire, and he is prepared to be very aggressive".* Zhang Xuezhong arrested .* Lighthizer: “The Era of Offshoring U.S. Jobs Is Over.”.
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Our news summary:. * Over 120 nations support inquiry into Covid-19.* Le Monde on UE-China spy concerns.* US moves to cut Huawei off from global chip suppliers, China eyes retaliation.* China Amb: "China does not arrest journalists for being journalists".
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In a new interview with @Telegraph, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss also named cyber security, artificial intelligence, quantum technology and 5G technology as areas that involvement of Chinese companies should be treated with caution.
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News summary:. * Tony Blair says UK must ultimately side with US on Huawei .* Permission given for £1bn Huawei Cambridge facility.* Concerns over opaque China lobbying in Germany.* Senate Passes Sanctions Bill on China Over Hong Kong Law.
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As our new report is launched today, @TomTugendhat writes in The Times: Britain has an important role to play in countering China’s threat to the rules-based international order.
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Today's round-up:. * China and Russia dominate G7 meeting in Liverpool.* UK spy chief raises fears over China’s digital renminbi.* Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai sentenced to 13 months in jail over Tiananmen vigil.
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In @thetimes: "Amid increasing concern about the reliance of leading academic institutions on Chinese money, the new report calls for a review of all research partnerships and funding arrangements and a register of all connections.".
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Today's news:. * Chinese ambassador Zheng Zeguang banned from UK parliament.* Hong Kong: Activists jailed for joining banned Tiananmen vigil.* China’s economy weakens on Delta outbreak and consumer spending slowdown.
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Individual universities will be picked off unless there is a common agreement to resist Chinese state interference in academic research and teaching on China, a group of 100 academics including scholars in the US, UK, Australia and Germany say.
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News summary:. * Hong Kong: Police make arrests and pepper spray people at Tiananmen Square vigils.* Cross-party backlash over HSBC support for repressive law. * Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China launched. * Chinese Hackers Target Biden Campaign .
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Our news summary:.* China says UK Huawei move is “stab in the back” and “UK will pay price” .* Hong Kong: Riot police flood city, 240 new arrests, Hong Kong judges to be sidelined.* YouTube deleting comments with phrases insulting China’s Communist Party.
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Today's news:. * US sanctions Chinese officials over Hong Kong democracy crackdown.* Dutch company ASML blocks Chinese acquisition of semiconductor tech under US pressure.* Tencent snaps up British video game developer Sumo in £919 million deal.
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News Summary:. * UK Parliament debates Hong Kong.* Tiananmen vigil banned.* State media warns UK not to back US over Huawei or face same fate as “foolish” Australia.* WHO officials' frustrations about lack of information from China.
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News summary: . * UK universities urged to adopt risk management strategy with China.* Australia suspends Hong Kong extradition deal.* China's Great Firewall descends on Hong Kong internet users.* Is Taiwan the next Hong Kong? .
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Our news summary:. * Thousands of Hong Kong protesters tear-gassed.* Over 200 parliamentarians & former PMs around the world condemn end of “one country two systems” .* UK planning to drop Huawei over new security concerns & reviewing investment rules .
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