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China’s role in the Russia-Ukraine war
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China’s role in the Russia-Ukraine war

The China Letter: March 4, 2022

Canadian Freedom Institute
Mar 8
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Share this post
China’s role in the Russia-Ukraine war
chinaletter.substack.com

The latest roundup of news you need to know about China touches on its connections with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a new looming lockdown in Hong Kong, evidence that Turkey is turning down Uyghurs, and suspicious real estate links in Toronto. Plus, the Beijing Winter Paralympics are now underway.

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Questions of timing

Twitter avatar for @nytimesThe New York Times @nytimes
Chinese officials told Russian officials in early February not to invade Ukraine before the end of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, according to senior Biden administration officials and a European official.
China Asked Russia to Delay Ukraine War Until After Olympics, U.S. Officials SayA Western intelligence report indicates that Chinese officials had some level of direct knowledge about President Vladimir V. Putin’s war plans or intentions.nyti.ms

March 2nd 2022

1,175 Retweets3,062 Likes

An inevitably denied report from the New York Times cited reliable sources saying that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was asked to wait until the end of the Beijing Winter Olympics. It was there that Vladimir Putin visited Xi Jinping for an ominous meeting. And while China has called for de-escalation, the crisis has complicated its relationship with Moscow.


A suspicious peacemaker

Twitter avatar for @guardianThe Guardian @guardian
China signals willingness to mediate in Ukraine-Russia war
China signals willingness to mediate in Ukraine-Russia warChinese foreign minister says Ukrainian counterpart asked for help to find diplomatic solutiontheguardian.com

March 1st 2022

103 Retweets355 Likes

State media reported Ukraine’s foreign minister asked China to diplomatically help end the conflict with Russia on its sixth day. In turn, Beijing is asking Kyiv to protect Chinese people stranded there, after reports of several being harassed due to their ethnicity. But there’s no sign of Xi wanting to break ties with Putin.


The coronavirus revival

Twitter avatar for @AFPphotoAFP Photo @AFPphoto
Lockdown fears spark panic buying in Hong Kong. #AFP 📸 @pparkspix
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March 2nd 2022

44 Retweets122 Likes

Panic buying is back in Hong Kong two years after a global wave brought on by COVID-19. This time, it relates to the government mulling new lockdowns due to a spike in coronavirus cases, although it also follows orders from Beijing to control it before a July visit by President Xi. The fight has been suspiciously increasing Hong Kong’s reliance on China.


Talking about Turkey

Twitter avatar for @axiosAxios @axios
The Turkish government has rejected the citizenship applications of some Uyghurs who have been outspoken about the detention of their families in China, citing risks they pose to "national security" and "public order."
Turkey rejected Uyghur citizenship applications over “national security” risksGrowing economic and security ties with Beijing have led to fears among some Uyghurs that they’re no longer safe in Turkey.trib.al

March 1st 2022

16 Retweets30 Likes

China’s growing ability to extend repression beyond its own borders was cited by the Uyghur Human Rights Project toward explaining why Turkey rejected citizenship applications. An elementary school for Uyghurs was also closed in Istanbul due to an alleged request from Beijing, out of fear students were receiving instruction critical of China.


Missing a meta-mystery

Twitter avatar for @scoopercooperSam Cooper @scoopercooper
EXCLUSIVE: Billionaire Chinese oligarch Xiao Jianhua dealt with CCP elite‘s fortunes before he vanished from Hong Kong. We have traced an estimated $1.5 BILLION in TORONTO real estate developments to Xiao’s family empire National |
Globalnews.ca Over $154M tied to detained Chinese-Canadian oligarch invested in GTA real estate | Globalnews.caXiao Jianhua, a Chinese-Canadian billionaire, was abducted in 2017. A Global News investigation has found his wife and family are quietly developing massive condos in Canada.globalnews.ca

February 28th 2022

1,620 Retweets3,188 Likes

A paper trail of real estate holdings tied to Xiao Jianhua was uncovered in Toronto, even though the oligarch hasn’t been seen in five years. Among the properties owned by his companies is a glamourous mansion, among a web of other investments of the kind that have stoked housing prices. But the whereabouts of Xiao remain a mystery despite thorough inquiries.


Paralympics are next

Twitter avatar for @NPRNPR @NPR
China has dominated the last 5 Paralympic Games — and is projected to sweep again this year. But that support for athletes is in stark contrast to the lack of accessibility that many Chinese people with disabiities face in daily life.
China is a Paralympics star, but its people with disabilities face high hurdlesChina has dominated the medal count at the last five Paralympic Games. That’s in stark contrast with the low level of disability access in Chinese society.n.pr

February 28th 2022

15 Retweets95 Likes

“Sports is one of the few ways a person with disabilities can receive resources from the state,” says Chen Bo, a Macau law professor who specializes in disability access. Read more about the scene in which Paralympic Winter Games are now underway. (Russia and Belarus have now been banned from competition.)


The China Letter is produced by the Canadian Freedom Institute, a think tank based in Canada. We produce the China Letter every week to keep you informed and to press the ideas of free markets and free people not only in China but around the world. Please consider donating to keep this newsletter running!

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