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A nod to the voting power of the city’s Chinese American community, that decision likely helped win him the election. But advocates say that even as the Chinese American vote reaches its peak in city ...

Australia’s defence department has defended the security at a naval base on Sydney’s Garden Island despite drone’s close flight above several warships
Australia’s defence department has defended the level of security at a key Sydney naval base after footage on Chinese social media appeared to show a public drone landing on a navy vessel.
The footage, understood to be several years old, was posted on social media site Weibo and appears to have been captured by a drone that flew above Australian warships – even landing on one – docked at Sydney’s Garden Island base.

Firm and parent company ByteDance file request for injunction to halt ban of app used by 170 million Americans
TikTok made a last-ditch effort on Monday to continue operating in the United States, asking the US supreme court to temporarily block a law intended to force ByteDance, its China-based parent company, to divest the short-video app by 19 January or face a ban.
TikTok and ByteDance filed an emergency request to the justices for an injunction to halt the looming ban on the social media app used by about 170 million Americans while they appeal a lower court’s ruling that upheld the law. A group of US users of the app filed a similar request on Monday as well.

Royal’s relationship with alleged spy, Yang Tengbo, should be seen as a blessing in disguise, says China analyst
Prince Andrew should be commended for doing Britain a great service according to longstanding China watcher, Charles Parton. The now marginalised royal has, the analyst observed, “almost single handedly” succeeded “in highlighting the threat to free and open countries” posed by the contemporary Chinese state.
The story of Sino-British has developed rapidly of late, turning 180 degrees in less than a decade.

Duke of York’s decades of playing everyone’s useful idiot – all for the good of the country – were off-limits in the Commons
At last. The full truth can be revealed. A story of self-sacrifice and public service. Of a man who has devoted his life to the nation. Heroism on a scale that was previously thought unimaginable.
For decades now, Prince Andrew has veered between being a national joke and a figure of shame. A byword for vanity, self-regard and abject stupidity. It’s quite the achievement to be thought the dimmest member of the royal family. That is a hotly contested accolade. His fall from grace has been on an epic scale. From Falklands war hero and Mummy’s favourite to total outsider. The pariah that even his brothers and sister keep at arm’s length.
Taking the Lead by John Crace is published by Little, Brown (£18.99). To support the Guardian and Observer, order your copy at . Delivery charges may apply.

Claims surrounding businessman Yang Tengbo put spotlight on whether to designate China as enhanced risk

An alleged spy who befriended Prince Andrew has been named as the businessman Yang Tengbo, amid a row at the heart of government over how to deal with influential Chinese nationals.
The allegations surrounding Yang have cast a spotlight on the government’s plans for a foreign interests register and whether to designate China as an enhanced risk in the middle of Labour’s new charm offensive towards Beijing.

Shadow home secretary calls for a rethink in relations with Beijing but Labour highlights events during Cameron’s premiership
Asked again about China, Starmer says:
Our approach is the approach I’ve just set out.
It’s important to engage. Of course, we have to challenge where we must, but it’s better to engage, to challenge, than to stay aside, as it were, important to cooperate where we can on issues like climate change, which need that cooperation.
Of course, we are concerned about the challenge that China poses.
As you know, I had a meeting with the [Chinese] president just a few weeks ago. Our approach is one of engagement, of cooperating where we need to cooperate, particularly for example on issues like climate change, to challenge where we must and where we should, particularly on issues like human rights, and to compete when it comes to trade.

Chinese businessman managed to penetrate the heart of the British establishment
How did a junior Chinese civil servant who arrived in Britain to do a master’s degree at York University end up as such a close confidant of the Duke of York that he was described as “the very top of the tree” by the prince’s adviser?
Yang Tengbo, 50, also known as Christopher Yang, was able to move in the highest circles of the British establishment. He was invited to Prince Andrew’s 60th birthday party at Royal Lodge, in Windsor, joined visits to St James’s Palace and Windsor Castle, attended a Chinese new year celebration at Downing Street with David Cameron and was pictured in black tie alongside Theresa May and her husband, Philip.

The Guardian’s Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the news that a Chinese businessman has been accused of spying. Just how widespread is state-backed espionage in Westminster, and what does it mean for the UK’s relationship with China? Plus, Angela Rayner reveals the government’s white paper on devolution. Could this be the end of the district council?

Authorities said USA Happy Baby helped several hundred women travel from China to give birth to U.S.-citizen babies between 2012 and 2015.

Prime minister ‘pleased with progress’ on ties with Beijing as Tory MPs warn of China’s attempts to infiltrate UK
Keir Starmer has defended his government’s greater openness towards Beijing following revelations about an alleged Chinese spy who forged a close relationship with Prince Andrew, saying it was “important to engage”.
Questioned for the first time about the case, amid to change his approach on China, the prime minister refused to comment directly on Andrew or the royals, but said he was pleased with what he called progress on ties with Beijing.