Daily Briefs


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17 March 2022 | Thursday | China Reader Evening Brief | Vol.1, No. 142

The US and Australia and the threat of sanctions against China

Foreign Ministry spokesperson warns against sanctioning China and the futility of unilateral sanctions.

IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok and Dincy Adlakha

INTERNATIONAL
The US and Australia and the threat of sanctions against China 
On 16 March, Global Times reported that Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijiang has warned the US against sanctioning China in a regular press briefing. He aid that the US cannot continue displaying the stick of sanctions against China while seeking Chinese support and cooperation. He also maintained that sanctions can never resolve a problem effectively as unilateral sanctions do not represent justice. He said: “It is irresponsible and immoral to erase China's efforts and distort China's intentions and fabricate disinformation to smear China.”

On 14 March, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also held a phone conversation with the Spanish Foreign Minister where he reiterated China's stance against unilateral sanctions and said that the sanctions have no basis in international law. He added: "China is not a party directly involved in the Ukraine crisis, and it doesn't want to be affected by sanctions even more." (“China to take strong countermeasures if US enforces sanctions against China while seeking support: Chinese FM,” Global Times, 16 March 2022)

On 16 March, the Guardian reported that the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison would initiate a move to sanction China if the country decided to supply military equipment to Russia. Morrison confirmed the country’s decision to support its allies and partners as a reaction to China’s indifference to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Defense Minister Peter Dutton also raised alarm against the silence of countries on the issue and warned that the international system will be facing a darker future if Russia was allowed to continue in its plans. He said: “It is becoming clear that Putin’s Ukrainian gamble has been a miscalculation that may very well destroy the man himself.”(“‘An abomination’: Morrison signals sanctions against China if it helps arm Russia | Australia news,” The Guardian, 16 March 2022)

The US: Justice Department accuses China of intimidating dissidents 
On 16 March, the officials from the US Justice Department claimed that the Chinese government agents were trying to spy and intimidate dissidents living in the US. The department revealed that three cases had been registered relating to “transnational repression” by an authoritarian government. Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen said: “These cases expose attempts by the government of the People's Republic of China to suppress dissenting voices within the United States and demonstrate how the PRC attempts to stalk, intimidate and silence those who oppose them.” The report also informed that the Chinese agents had attempted to prevent a Chinese-born candidate from running in the elections. The second case accused a Long-Island resident of conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government. The third case accused the Chinese government of spying on a California-based artists by planting surveillance equipment in his workplace and his car. (“Justice Department accuses China of spying on, intimidating dissidents living in U.S.,” Reuters, 16 March 2022)

INTERNAL
CCP ceremony: Senior Party officials take oath of allegiance to the constitution
On 16 March, 32 officials from senior cadres of the Party under China’s State Council took an oath of allegiance to the constitution of China. The oath-taking ceremony was held to officially initiate the recently appointed officials to the system. The ceremony was headed by Premier Li Keqiang who urged the officials to always remain loyal to the constitution and fulfill their duties diligently. Other senior officials including Vice Premier Hang Zheng also attended the ceremony. (“Senior officials pledge allegiance to Constitution,” Xinhua Net, 16 March 2022)

COVID-19: Shenzhen to reopen workplaces in phased manner
On 17 March, a local official from Shenzhen Hung Qiang said that the city will reopen workplaces in a phased manner. The announcement was made at a press conference. The resumption of services will take place based on area and industry type. Shenzhen city had been locked down due to a high surge in COVID-19 cases throughout the city. All schools, colleges and workplaces had been shut to curb the growing cases in key technology and manufacturing hub. (“China's Shenzhen city says will allow firms to resume work in an orderly manner,” Reuters, 17 March 2022)

REGIONAL
Indonesia: President Xi holds a telephonic conversation with President Widodo
On 16 March, Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Indonesian President Joko Widodo held a telephonic conversation and discussed the upcoming and current challenges for the major developing and emerging economies of the Southeast Asian region. President Xi appreciated the bilateral cooperation between the two countries and expressed gratitude to Indonesia for assisting the development and jointly dealing with economic challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said: “the two countries have moved forward hand in hand and risen to challenges, established a new pattern of bilateral cooperation on the "four-wheel drive" of political, economic, cultural and maritime affairs, and carried forward the main theme of solidarity against the pandemic and common development.” Widodo also appreciated China’s support in building the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway and expressed support for the China-led Global Development Initiative. He said: “Indonesia fully supports the Global Development Initiative proposed by Xi, which is conducive to the realization of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Indonesia is ready to maintain close communication with China to push forward the implementation of the initiative and contribute to the common development of the world.” (“Chinese, Indonesian presidents hold phone talks,” Xinhua Net, 16 March 2022)

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