By
Anthony Zurcher
EDF Energy, one of the United Kingdom’s larger energy
companies,
reached an agreement with China General Nuclear Power Group
(CGN) to build a new nuclear power plant in Somerset. With a final cost of
18-24 billion pounds, the Hinkley Point plant is estimated to generate more
than 25,000 jobs and enough energy to provide for 6 million homes. However, it
will also be the most expensive plant in the world, leading many to criticize
the decision to pursue the project. Chinese President Xi Jinping is
expected to formally seal the deal after having met with British Prime Minister
David Cameron throughout the week.
By Clifford Hwang
On his first visit to the United States, President Xi
Jinping of China broached a variety of topics including cybercrime,
U.S.-China
relations, and NGOs.
At his first stop in Seattle, the Chinese President noted that foreign
organizations must comply with the law when carrying out activities. This comes
amidst the background of fears of crackdown on foreign non-governmental
organizations. Recently, more than 130 lawyers have been hauled in for
questioning, and there is an expectation that a law covering operation of
foreign charities and business associations will be passed this year. Drafts of
this law have elicited concern that references to “security” will give broad
discretion to the government. For more information see the full article here.
By Ena Cefo
The 2014 report
by the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), an independent U.S.
agency tasked to monitor human rights and legal development in China, showed a
deterioration in China’s human rights and rule of law. During his tenure, president
Xi Jinping strengthened the authoritarian model of his predecessors, especially
over the pertinent issues of Hong Kong’s autonomy, Internet and media freedom,
ethnic minority rights, religious freedom and civic engagement. Among numerous
other concerns, the Chinese government has been accused of implementing harsh
security measures in the ethnic minority regions following incidents of
violence, continuing the imprisonment of human rights activists and minority
religion practitioners, allowing violence against women – including forced
sterilizations and abortions, and discriminating against Uyghur Muslims. According
to the CECC, such practices add insecurities to the U.S.-China relationship, as
well as China’s own development.
