Every Thursday, an in-depth look at "Greater China": the transformations and contradictions of Beijing, Shanghai, and China’s provinces, the stifled freedoms in Hong Kong, and the challenges and future of Taiwan and Macau
Fr. Mella begins a three-day protest in front of Shek Pik prison. He urged the imprisoned activists not to lose hope. In January, he had demonstrated calling for the release of Catholic tycoon Jimmy Lai. Since the imposition of the security law, police have arrested nearly 200 people; 113 have ended up on trial.
China’s president is promoting allies from one of his political fiefdoms to the highest offices of the state. Wang Xiaohong is now national security czar and can control Xi's rivals. The Fujian faction also has a foothold in the Central Military Commission. Their rise is however threatened by Xi's protégés in Zhejiang and those of Premier Li Keqiang.
Xi Jinping arrived in the former British colony to show that normalization has become a top priority. On July 1, 1997, Martin Lee and Margaret Ng from the balcony of Parliament were calling for freedom and democracy, while today they are reckoning with the consequences of the National Security Act. And Hong Kong is increasingly becoming a sad, depressed and fearful city.
Lu Ke used children in Malawi to make videos for profit. Chinese social media carry videos of Africans sending messages of good wishes, but some have racist content. The case sparked protests in Malawi. Racism is a new area that could wreck relations between China and Africa.
Under the zero-Covid policy, without a health code it is impossible to travel or access public places. Current account holders at four banks in Henan have filed complaints after discovering they cannot withdraw their money. Many uarantined after their Qr code turned red. However, antigen tests show they are negative for the virus.
The Chinese call for "restraint" and a diplomatic solution, ignores the fact that the situation is already out of control. United States accused of fomenting the crisis. Chinese business giants worried. Taiwanese microchip exports to Russia may be blocked. Japan ready for new sanctions.
The video of her being chained has sparked online outrage across the country. Not even the Winter Olympics can distract the public's attention. The authorities' incoherent statements fail to convince. Two activists arrested. The story has been censored online.
In five years’ time the People's Liberation Army will be 100 years in operation. Prominent academic Jin Canrong: Beijing can take the island in a week, and the US can't avoid it. Pentagon prepares response with mobilising of troops and military machinery in the region. Nationalist professor reprimands Japan.
Beijing officially supports Russian security demands. However, Beijing needs a stable Europe for its own economy. Kiev is a Chinese partner in the Belt and Road Initiative. A Russian-Ukrainian conflict would test the strategic partnership between the Chinese giant and the Kremlin.
Agreement to reduce fuel prices by freeing up some of their strategic oil reserves is set to come into force. Beijing the first buyer of US natural gas liquids. US businesses go where they make money, a logic that appeals to Chinese companies. Biden blocked by Congress for greater openness to Xi Jinping.
The island is the world's largest producer of the precious components used for key civil and military technologies. Both China and the USA depend on Taiwanese production. A Chinese invasion would endanger the global tech supply chain. But experts warn "microchip policy" cannot exclude the outbreak of a conflict.
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