Russia’s war in Ukraine: China premier Xi in show of support for Putin with leaders to meet in Moscow March 17, 2023 China says President Xi Jinping will visit Russia from Monday to Wednesday in an apparent show of support for Vladimir Putin. No other details were given but China has declared a “no-limits” friendship with Russia and refused to condemn Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine — while declaring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries be [...]
TikTok denies Chinese state collusion after UK government bans social media app use on devices March 17, 2023 Chinese-owned company TikTok has said it is “disappointed” by the government’s decision to ban the social media app on MPs’ phones. The social media video app has been at the centre of security and data protection concerns in recent weeks – with Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden announcing the decision in parliament yesterday. Speaking yesterday [...]
Government bans TikTok on official devices over China security fears March 16, 2023 The government has banned the TikTok app on official devices, it has confirmed today. The Chinese-owned social media video app has been at the centre of security and data protection concerns in recent weeks. It follows moves by the European Commission (EC) and the United States to take action over the app’s use on secure [...]
British designed BAE nuclear subs will power up Australian navy as part of AUKUS defence deal March 14, 2023 Australia will operate a new generation of nuclear-powered submarines based on British designs as both countries modernise their armed forces as part of the AUKUS defence deal. The new boats will be in operation in the late 2030s as part of the AUKUS deal – involving Australia, the UK and US. It will follow a [...]
UK to respond with “swift and robust action” to any Chinese aggression March 13, 2023 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Chinese posturing over Taiwan risk creating a world “defined by danger, disorder and division”, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has warned today. Britain is committed to “swift and robust action” to counter any threat to UK national interests from China, according to an updated blueprint for the UK’s foreign and defence [...]
MI5 spies to help firms counter China tech threats, says Sunak March 13, 2023 China poses the biggest “state-based” threat to Britain’s economic security, prime minister Rishi Sunak has said, as MI5 spies are set to help firms counter tech threats. UK organisations and businesses will receive expert security advice from the new National Protective Security Authority within MI5 to help them counter risks from hackers. It comes as [...]
Formula 1 to target China expansion? McLaren commercial chiefs hope so March 2, 2023 Formula 1 team McLaren would back the sport venturing further into China and the surrounding Asian continent amid a growing feeling that the series is yet to cash in on the opportunities the Far East market provides. Nick Martin, the director of new business at the Woking-based F1 outfit, told City A.M. that McLaren acknowledges [...]
EY’s China staff asked to wear communist party badges to work February 27, 2023 Staff in EY’s Beijing offices have reportedly been asked to wear their communist party badges to work. A communist party committee in EY’s China business called on party members to wear their hammer and sickle pins in the office, the Financial Times reported. In an email to party members working in EY’s Beijing office, the [...]
British Steel confirms 260 jobs at risk amid coke oven closures February 22, 2023 British Steel announced 260 jobs are at risk amid proposals to close its coke ovens at its plant in Scunthorpe. The firm said the UK remains “uncompetitive” compared to rival markets with energy and carbon costs “some of the highest” globally. It said it had seen a £190m rise last year and the facilities were [...]
China tells state-owned companies to cut ties with the Big Four February 22, 2023 China has told its state-owned companies to stop working with the Big Four auditors – EY, KPMG, PwC, and Deloitte – and asked them to use local accounting firms instead. China’s Ministry of Finance (MoF) has called on the country’s state-controlled firms to let their audit contracts with the Big Four expire, Bloomberg reported today. [...]