China: Country Garden avoids default after making interest payments on offshore bonds September 5, 2023 Property developer Country Garden has made interest payments on two US dollar bonds just before a grace period was coming to an end, ensuring it avoided default.
UK solar projects risk being ‘tainted’ by Uyghur forced labour, government told September 5, 2023 UK solar energy projects could be at risk of being “tainted” by forced Uyghur labour due to large-scale human rights abuses taking place in China, the government has been warned. Foreign Affairs Select Committee chair Alicia Kearns has tabled an amendment to the Energy Bill – which MPs are set to debate today – calling [...]
China: Country Garden share price soars after vote to restructure debt and avoid default September 4, 2023 Shares in Chinese property developer Country Garden soared after investors backed proposals to restructure its debt, easing pressure on the embattled company.
Cleverly will not ‘shy away from tough conversations’ while in Beijing August 30, 2023 James Cleverly has met senior officials in Beijing in a visit aimed at easing tensions with China but which risks deepening divisions in the Tory party. The Foreign Secretary insisted the visit would allow him to have “tough conversations” with the Chinese on issues including repression in Hong Kong, and human rights abuses in Xinjiang [...]
MPs criticise government’s unclear China strategy amid James Cleverly visit August 29, 2023 MPs have criticised the government for having an unclear strategy around its relationship with China, amid a high-profile visit by the foreign secretary James Cleverly. A parliamentary committee cited “confusion” and “failure to explain policy” on China, following a government announcement of the ‘Indo-Pacific Tilt’ as part of the integrated defence review. The report by [...]
China’s Country Garden asks for more time to pay off debts to dodge default August 29, 2023 Chinese property developer Country Garden has asked investors for more time to pay off its debts in a desperate bid to dodge default.
James Cleverly to make landmark China visit in bid to ‘protect UK national security’ August 29, 2023 Foreign secretary James Cleverly will make a landmark visit to China on Wednesday in a bid to reaffirm the UK’s protection of national security. Cleverly, who is currently in the Philippines, will fly to Beijing on August 30 for high-level talks with top officials including vice president Han Zheng and foreign affairs minister Wang Yi. [...]
Sunak’s China strategy set for first real test as Cleverly prepares for Beijing trip August 28, 2023 Cleverly is widely expected to fly to Beijing this week, marking the first visit to China by a UK foreign secretary in five years.
UK firms asked to disclose China investments as Sunak mulls trade curbs August 21, 2023 A host of British firms have been asked by the government to hand over information on their investments in China, as the UK looks to take stock of its business ties to the state amid increasing geopolitical tensions. The government confirmed today that a survey was sent to a number of UK firms last month [...]
Foreign Office staff told not to say ‘hostile state’ for fear of upsetting China August 21, 2023 Government officials have reportedly been told not to use the term “hostile state” by the Foreign Office in case it upsets China. The term cannot be used in documents and internal messages via email and WhatsApp between advisers, civil servants and ministers, The Times reported today. One official in another department was reportedly told by [...]