Beijing keeps getting angry about everything

The China Letter: November 23, 2020

Welcome to another weekly recap of news about China. Feel free to share it on social media, because it’s easy for your friends to get it in their own inbox, and never miss the most relevant developments in today’s world.

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Looking for another fight

Daily Mail Online @MailOnline

China warns the UK and its 'Five Eyes' allies to 'be careful not to get their eyes jabbed and blinded'

trib.alChina warns the UK and allies after they stood up for Hong KongAuthorities from Chinese Foreign Ministry defended criticism of Hong Kong’s security law stating it is the job of elected officials to defend laws despite their personal views.

A joint statement on from the foreign ministers of the U.S., Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the U.K. generated a warning that played off the name of their collective intelligence partnership: the Five Eyes. The threat to poke the eyes blind followed a condemnation of Beijing’s new rules that disqualify elected legislators in Hong Kong.

AFP News Agency @AFP

Hong Kong ex-lawmakers arrested for legislature protests u.afp.com/3ygF 📸 Pro-democracy legislator Ted Hui is removed by security after throwing a jar containing a foul-smelling liquid onto the floor of the Legislative Council on June 4

Police in Hong Kong arrested three former lawmakers who threw a foul-smelling liquid in the legislature in May and June, in the weeks before the new security law. The media also continues to be intimidated in the Chinese-ruled city: the journalist who was recently arrested for investigating police handling of a mob attack appeared in court.

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The airing of grievances

Nine.com.au @Ninecomau

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has vowed Australia will not walk away from policies which anger our largest trading partner China, declaring "Australia can never compromise on our national interests".

9soci.alPM refuses to back down to China over leaked dossier of ‘grievances’<p>A dossier containing 14 grievances Beijing has with Canberra was handed to 9News by a Chinese Embassy official.</p>

China issued an official list of reasons for its anger with Australia, whose prime minister Scott Morrison responded to state that the country won’t bend to any of the 14 complaints. Among the Communist party accusations is that the Morrison government attempted to “torpedo” the Belt and Road deal with the Australian state of Victoria.

Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China @ipacglobal

'If you make China the enemy, China will be the enemy': Beijing's fresh threat to Australia | The Sydney Morning Herald The #IPAC mission to unite democratic countries in a common defence of our shared values is more important than ever.

smh.com.au‘If you make China the enemy, China will be the enemy’: Beijing’s fresh threat to AustraliaA deliberately leaked Chinese government document has laid out 14 disputes aimed at pressuring the Morrison government to reverse Australia’s position on key policies.

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China’s vaccination scene

The New Indian Express @NewIndianXpress

"In terms of emergency use, the #COVID19 vaccines were applied to nearly a million people and there has not been a single case of a serious adverse event," Liu Jingzhen, chairman of China National Pharmaceutical Group said.

newindianexpress.comChina’s COVID-19 vaccine administered to one million people: OfficialThe vaccine, CoronaVac, was developed by Chinese biopharmaceutical producer Sinovac Biotech.

The state-owned Sinopharm announced nearly one million people in China have taken its experimental vaccines with no serious side effects, in the wake of promising trials from Moderna and Pfizer. Right behind them are promising reports about the vaccine from Sinovac, which Brazil’s Sao Paulo state is about to import the first of those doses.

Reuters @Reuters

China's irritated trade partners push back on coronavirus food tests reut.rs/35CiFuF

Frustration has grown among countries whose imports to China continue to be aggressively tested for the coronavirus—as foreign officials have noted a lack of evidence was produced when they asked for details about certain claimed cases. Experts expressed skepticism that frozen food packaging has been carrying COVID-19.

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The insecurity continues

CBC British Columbia @cbcnewsbc

Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou is charged with fraud and conspiracy in the United States. CBSA officers insist they had legitimate concerns about her as a potential threat to national security

buff.lyCBSA officer insists Meng Wanzhou represented legitimate national security concern | CBC NewsA Canada Border Services Agency officer who questioned Meng Wanzhou at Vancouver’s airport nearly two years ago will face more tough questions Wednesday as the Huawei executive’s lawyers continue to grill him about his supposed concerns over national security.

The hearing about whether Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou should be extradited to the U.S. continued with lawyers for Canada’s attorney general revealing a concern for the safety of a key witness. Retired Canadian police officer Ben Chang communicated with the FBI in what Meng’s lawyers believe provides evidence of improper collusion.

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The last words, for now

The popularity of pigeon racing in China got more attention thanks to the auction for a Belgian-bred bird named New Kid. Two bidders using the pseudonyms “Super Duper” and “Hitman” competed in an auction to drive up the price for the three-year-old hen to US$1.9 million, reflective of how much gambling surrounds the sport:

The Associated Press @AP

A wealthy Chinese pigeon racing fan put down a world record price of 1.6 million euros ($1.9 million) for a Belgian-bred bird. Pigeon racing, an age-old hobby in Western Europe identified with working-class men, is gaining a new, foreign lease on life.

apne.wsBelgian racing pigeon fetches record price of $1.9 millionHALLE, Belgium (AP) — New Kim is worth her weight in gold and then some — actually much, much more. A wealthy Chinese pigeon racing fan put down a record price of 1.6 million euros ($1.9...

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