You can’t avoid reading stories about China

The China Letter: December 12, 2020

This week, a scan of big news surrounding China’s relationship to the United States, Canada, Australia, and the moon. Share this email however you like by clicking the button below, and help your friends catch up on the most relevant stories of 2020 before it ends.

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China’s seductive spy

Axios @axios

EXCLUSIVE: A suspected Chinese spy developed extensive ties with local and national US politicians in what officials believe was an operation run by China’s main civilian spy agency from 2011-2015, Axios found in a yearlong investigation.

axios.comExclusive: How a suspected Chinese spy gained access to California politicsChristine Fang built connections with up-and-coming California politicians including Eric Swalwell and Ro Khanna.

By targeting local politicians who had the potential to make it big on the national stage, and having romantic relationships with at least two mayors, the story of Christine Fang provides a window into how Beijing spies attempt to gain access in America. She left the U.S. in 2015, but retained friends on Facebook like congressman Eric Swalwell.

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Complications in Canada

Globalnews.ca @globalnews

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the two Michaels had been “arrested, indicted and tried,” in what appeared to be the first public mention that they had been brought to court.

trib.alCanadian officials say two Michaels not tried by China, citing translation errorMichael Kovrig and Michael Spavor are being held on suspicion of national security crimes but neither it nor Canada has released specifics about their cases.

Two years of detainment for Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor was accompanied by a report saying they were tried and indicted, but Canadian officials later said it was a translation error. The milestone coincided with the leak of documents about military exercises with China that were cancelled to initial pushback by Global Affairs Canada.

Maclean's Magazine @macleans

A homecoming for the Michaels seems possible. But offers like the reported one to Meng are standard U.S. practice, and China does not look kindly on co-operating with American prosecutors.

macleans.caTalk of a deal for Meng Wanzhou raises hope—and a lot of wishful thinking - Macleans.caA homecoming for the Michaels seems possible. But offers like the reported one to Meng are standard U.S. practice, and China does not look kindly on co-operating with American prosecutors.

Amidst all this, a report in the Wall Street Journal raised the possibility of the two Michaels being freed by China in exchange for Canada releasing Meng Wanzhou, whose hearing about prospective extradition to the U.S. continues in Vancouver. Meanwhile, her company Huawei was making different news:

New York Post @nypost

Huawei reportedly tested 'Uighur alarms' to help China track Muslims trib.al/L9XGLKU

American research company IVPM discovered a document confirming Huawei’s involvement in attempting to develop a specific kind of facial recognition system. The concept of “Uighur alarms” was evidently explored as a way of detecting Muslims to possibly send to forced labour camps, though it didn’t appear to be used.

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The tensions Down Under

ABC News @abcnews

Barley bans, lobster check and beef blocks: How China's trade war with Australia is playing out

abc.net.auThese are the industries buckling under tariffs and sanctions amid China’s escalating trade warChina is targeting a raft of Australian industries, including barley, wine, cotton, coal and beef. Here’s a look at how Beijing has disrupted our export markets since the start of this year.

China’s style of firing back at Australia for raising questions about the origins of COVID-19 has resulted in a trade war with an increasing set of complications. And then there’s the Belt and Road agreement that Victoria signed with Beijing, which may be ended by Canberra soon if the state can’t make a good enough case for keeping it:

The Age @theage

Dan Andrews says any federal government move to tear up the state's trade deal with China will only escalate tensions with Beijing. #Springst #auspol #china

theage.com.au‘That’s not leadership’: Andrews warns cutting Belt and Road will hurt Australian businessThe Victorian Premier says any federal government move to tear up the state’s trade deal with China will only escalate tensions with Beijing.

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The last words, for now

Zhou Chengyu has become a Chinese social media star thanks to her role as a robot commander in the Chang’e-5 mission to the moon, which culminated in a deliberate crash of its ascender vehicle. The postings are highlighting the achievements of Zhou, portraying her as a face of China’s future:

National Post @nationalpost

What were you doing at 24? Meet Zhou Chengyu, China's star space commander

nationalpost.comWhat were you doing at 24? Meet Zhou Chengyu, China’s star space commanderWhat were you doing at her age?

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