Welcome to Observing China
A newsletter on British-Chinese relations, released every Tuesday and Thursday
Welcome to Observing China, the China Observatory’s new newsletter. We will offer a selection of news and views related to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and relations between London and Beijing. The newsletter aims to promote knowledge of the PRC’s evolving international posture and enhance the leverage of British legislators and policymakers in relation to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
‘News with Chinese characteristics’ will provide a selection of PRC-related news in the headlines, and a brief explanation of their significance to the UK.
In ‘What the experts think’, we will curate a selection of recent PRC-related reports, articles, and events from leading international think tanks and experts. These insights will provide recommendations and analyses on various aspects of the CCP’s domestic and international policies, and aim to shape informed perspectives on the PRC’s global impact.
Please note: the ‘From London to Beijing’ section will take a slightly different format until the State Opening of Parliament on 17th July 2024.Â
On Tuesdays, ‘This week in Parliament’ will provide a rundown of scheduled discussions, questions, and debates related to the PRC, Taiwan, and Hong Kong for the upcoming week.
On Thursdays, a ‘Key recap’ section will look back at Westminster and Whitehall’s PRC-related discussions and policy, providing a summary and implications for relations between London and Beijing.
In ‘Eyes on Zhongnanhai’, we analyse recent statements and articles from Chinese state media and CCP officials concerning the UK. Named after the central headquarters of the CCP in Beijing, ‘Zhongnanhai’ represents the seat of political power in the PRC. This section aims to provide a concise summary of Chinese rhetoric towards the UK, identifying both emerging trends and shifts in Beijing’s stance.Â
By keeping an eye on these trends, policymakers and analysts can better understand the evolving dynamics of UK-PRC relations and anticipate future diplomatic, economic and security developments.
‘The Taiwan Take’ delivers a weekly update on cross-strait relations with expert analysis. Taiwan is a self-governed islands democracy of 24 million people, which - although it has never ruled over Taiwan - the PRC claims as its own territory and threatens to ‘reclaim’ by force. Peace in the Taiwan Strait is pivotal to global economic health and stability. This section will highlight political, military, and economic developments between the PRC and Taiwan, and enhance UK policy in the Indo-Pacific.
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