Government outlines plans to block ‘foreign influences’ from compromising UK universities June 13, 2022 The UK government is seeking to protect universities from “undue foreign influences that work against British values,” by forcing higher education institutions to report the financial links they have with individuals or organisations from overseas. The new rules, which could be introduced as part of an amendment to the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill, [...]
Remembering the legacy of Tiananmen is our duty as China censors history June 5, 2022 As Brits celebrated the Platinum Jubilee, a much more sombre event was taking place in the capital, as Hongkongers and the wider Chinese diaspora gathered on Saturday to commemorate the Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing. With vigils taking place throughout the city, people set out to remember the 33rd anniversary of the massacre on June [...]
‘Live by the sword, die by the sword’: Chinese plot to take control of Congolese lithium mine could crash Australian firm’s shares May 20, 2022 A plot by a coalition of powerful Chinese battery manufacturers, to take control of the world’s biggest lithium mine, threatens to crash the share price of Australian miner AVZ Minerals, a mysterious short seller has said. AVZ Minerals could lose control over the Manano lithium mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and be [...]
Markets bracing for tough week: China trade slows as zero-Covid policy has disastrous impact on economy May 9, 2022 With China continuing to pursue its zero-Covid policy the restrictions in Shanghai are having a chilling effect on economic output there, as well as port activity, or rather the lack of it, as container ships continue to sit off the Chinese coast waiting to be unloaded. This morning’s China trade data for April only serves to reinforce [...]
Chinese refineries reportedly snapping up Russian oil on the cheap May 4, 2022 Independent Chinese oil refiners are reportedly snapping up cheap Russian fuel, which could draw the ire of the United States and United Kingdom. Firms have reportedly continued making deals since the start of the war, while state-run energy companies publicly halted new contracts. The buying of discounted oil by independent refineries by China, according to [...]
China cuts coal import tariffs in supply security push April 28, 2022 China will cut import tariffs for all types of coal to zero next month, as the country prioritise energy security despite its climate pledges.
Newport Wafer Fab: Congressmen write to Biden with concerns about Welsh microchip plant bought by Chinese firm April 21, 2022 The Chinese takeover of a microchip plant in Wales has become subject to major protest by American Congressmen, who have written to President Biden. Nine politicians urged the president to demand security vetting on British investments, writing a letter calling for “urgent action” to overturn the sale of Newport Wafer Fab. The letter, signed by [...]
Tesla: Workers in Shanghai must sleep on factory floor as China restarts production in 600 companies amid draconian Covid measures April 19, 2022 Shanghai’s Tesla factory workers have to sleep on the floor of the factory, as Elon Musk’s company restarts production and China continues a draconian covid policy. With hundreds of firms restarting operations across China, workers have to abide by a strict policy of living on site, in line with the country’s ‘closed loop’ restrictions, according [...]
Shares in Asia focused companies dip as Chinese inflation soars April 11, 2022 Shares in London listed companies with Asia focused businesses dropped today after Chinese government data showed outbreaks of Covid and the war in Ukraine had caused inflation in China to soar. The dips come after figures from China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed factory gate prices are up 8.3 per cent compared to [...]
Panic in China’s richest city as 25m residents of Covid-ridden Shanghai run out of food in world’s strictest lockdown April 8, 2022 Frustration, panic and anger is growing in Shanghai as millions of residents are struggling to get their hands on meat, rice and other food supplies while the government tries to contain a spreading Covid outbreak with anti-coronavirus controls that confine most of its 25m people to their homes, People in China’s business capital have complained [...]