China is ... a despotic state, whose principle is fear. Perhaps in the earliest dynasties, when the empire had not so large an extent, the government might have deviated a little from this spirit; but the case is otherwise at present. (Charles De Secondat Montesquieu, The Spirit of Laws) During the Manchu dynasty ... [t]he … Continue reading Freedom or despotism? – Autocratic governance and laissez-faire in Imperial China
Solomon Islands says decision to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China to be made within 100 days
Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Minister Jeremiah Manele said that the government will decide whether to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China within the next 100 days. "It is a sovereign decision, a matter for the Solomon Islands government to look at," Mr Manele was quoted by the Solomon Times as saying. Taiwanese President Ts'ai … Continue reading Solomon Islands says decision to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China to be made within 100 days
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Tiananmen Square veteran Feng Congde refused entry to Hong Kong ahead of 30th anniversary of the 1989 massacre
Feng Congde, one of the leaders of the 1989 Tiananmen Square student movement, was denied entry to Hong Kong ahead of the 30th anniversary of the crackdown. On June 2 Feng Conde travelled from Japan to Hong Kong in order to attend the candlelight vigil that will be held in Victoria Park on June 4 … Continue reading Tiananmen Square veteran Feng Congde refused entry to Hong Kong ahead of 30th anniversary of the 1989 massacre
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Six Chinese artists disappear in Nanjing before 30th Tiananmen anniversary
Six Chinese artists have disappeared a few days before the 30th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. According to a tweet put out by Cao Yaxue, founder and editor of ChinaChang.org, artist Zhui Hun (追魂), as well as five artists from Beijing Songzhuang art colony (宋庄艺术区), Yuan Guolei (原国镭), Jia Qiong (贾穹), Pang Yong … Continue reading Six Chinese artists disappear in Nanjing before 30th Tiananmen anniversary
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Chinese MMA Fighter Xu Xiaodong has social credit score lowered to “D”, is barred from buying plane tickets and real estate
Chinese Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Xu Xiaodong's social credit score has been lowered to "D" following a court order. Xu became an internet celebrity in 2017 when a video of him defeating a tai chi grandmaster in just 20 seconds went viral. Xu is a fierce critic of what he calls "fake kung fu." He … Continue reading Chinese MMA Fighter Xu Xiaodong has social credit score lowered to “D”, is barred from buying plane tickets and real estate
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The 1792-94 Macartney Embassy – The first clash between China and the West
During the 16th century and most of the 17th century, China enjoyed a generally positive image in Europe. The works of the Jesuits - Catholic missionaries who lived and proselytized in the Far East - depicted the Central Kingdom as a well-governed and ethical society. (Jones, 2001, p. 18) Chinese art became popular with European … Continue reading The 1792-94 Macartney Embassy – The first clash between China and the West
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Hong Kong and foreign citizens could be extradited to mainland China according to new legislation, authoritative source says
Both Hong Kong citizens and foreign nationals risk to be extradited to mainland China for "harming China's national security" if an extradition law between Hong Kong and the mainland is adopted. Hong Kong-based newspaper Apple Daily reports that according to an anonymous source , who is described as "authoritative" (權威人士), recently the Vice Premier of … Continue reading Hong Kong and foreign citizens could be extradited to mainland China according to new legislation, authoritative source says
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Chinese national anthem will be played every day at 7 a.m., according to new government circular promoting patriotism
On May 19 the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) issued a circular regarding the celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Communist State in 1949. The circular stresses the importance of "holding high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics," and of "vigorously promoting the great national spirit … Continue reading Chinese national anthem will be played every day at 7 a.m., according to new government circular promoting patriotism
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“If Taiwan is unified with China, you will be just like me,” escaped Hong Kong bookseller tells Taiwanese
On April 25 Lam Wing-kei, one of the five Hong Kong booksellers who had been kidnapped by the Chinese Communist authorities in 2015 on charges of selling prohibited books, moved to Taiwan over fears of persecution. Lam's decision came after the Hong Kong government pushed forward on an extradition deal with mainland China which would allow Beijing … Continue reading “If Taiwan is unified with China, you will be just like me,” escaped Hong Kong bookseller tells Taiwanese
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U.S. government’s One-China Policy not the same as Beijing’s One-China Principle, U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee says
On May 13 the Foreign Affairs Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives reiterated its support for Taiwan and rejected the idea that the U.S. government's "One-China Principle" is equivalent to the "One-China Principle" advocated by the People's Republic of China (PRC). United States House of Representatives (speaker.gov via Wikimedia Commons) In a series of … Continue reading U.S. government’s One-China Policy not the same as Beijing’s One-China Principle, U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee says
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Taiwanese government says some local media work with China, send content to Beijing for approval
Last year Taiwanese President Ts'ai Ing-wen warned of rampant Chinese interference in the country's elections through the dissemination of "fake news" (假消). Now Taiwan's National Security Bureau has revealed that Beijing is working together with Taiwanese media outlets to spread Beijing's propaganda. Legislative Yuan, Taiwan (image by Jiang via Wikimedia Commons) On May 2 the … Continue reading Taiwanese government says some local media work with China, send content to Beijing for approval
