BBC banned by Beijing after telling the truth

The China Letter: February 16, 2021

China taking new steps to block journalism that challenged its spin is yet another reason why it’s worth keeping tabs on actual news there. The inability of investigators to dig into the origin of COVID-19 is another. Catch up on the latest stories—then share this newsletter with others who can subscribe too:

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The new media world war

BBC News (World) @BBCWorld

China bans BBC World News from broadcasting

bbc.inChina bans BBC World News from broadcastingChina has criticised the BBC for its reports on coronavirus and persecution of the Uighurs.

The announcement that BBC News was banned from China curiously followed its report featuring interviews with Uighur women, whose allegations of systemic rape drew condemnation from the U.S. and U.K. despite being denied by Beijing. It’s added to a circle of recent decisions that have also reduced the reach of Chinese state media:

DW News @dwnews

Germany bans Chinese state-owned broadcaster, after UK regulator determined the channel is "ultimately controlled by the Chinese Communist Party."

dw.comChina’s CGTN may no longer broadcast in Germany after UK row | DW | 12.02.2021The Chinese state-owned cable channel is losing its access to the German market after British regulators pulled its license.

CGTN had its licence revoked by the U.K. regulator due to evident control by the Communist party, rather than the licence holder. The network refuted the reasoning, before China banned the BBC in apparent retaliation. Cheng Lei, an Australian anchor for CGTN, was recently arrested on spying charges after six months of detainment.

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Big questions from WHO

Reuters @Reuters

China refused to give raw data on early COVID-19 cases to a World Health Organization-led team probing the origins of the pandemic, one of the team's investigators said reut.rs/3qnISoU

The investigative team from the World Health Organization isn’t getting the data they wanted from China about the earliest days of the COVID-19 outbreak. Instead, the U.S. calling for more transparency met with reprimand from the Chinese embassy, resulting in more of a diplomatic row that’s led leaders to demand answers from Beijing:

Face The Nation @FaceTheNation

UK PM @BorisJohnson on discovering the origins of the #Covid19 pandemic: “When you have a zoonotic plague like coronavirus, we need to know exactly how it happened. Was it in a wet market? Did it come from the bats? Were the bats associated with the pangolins?”

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Amazon is being watched

Washington Examiner @dcexaminer

.@JoeBiden officials and senior lawmakers plan to scrutinize US corporations like Amazon that do business with Chinese technology companies, as Beijing’s human rights abuses stoke controversy over partnerships in that sector.

washex.amAmazon link to Uighur crackdown could draw Bezos into clash with BidenBiden administration officials and senior lawmakers plan to scrutinize U.S. corporations like Amazon that do business with Chinese technology companies, as Beijing’s human rights abuses stoke controversy over partnerships in that sector.

Chinese security camera company Dahua previously made news for registering patents on technology that can detect, track and monitor Uighurs. Now, a report that Amazon signed a contract to purchase 1,500 of those thermal cameras is leading U.S. senators to question if previous government guidance against dealings with Dahua was ignored.

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The games could change

The Wall Street Journal @WSJ

American companies like Airbnb are sponsoring the 2022 Winter Olympics and eager for the exposure it brings. But their backing of the Beijing Games has already drawn the attention of human-rights activists.

on.wsj.com2022 Beijing Olympic Games Loom as Test for Corporate SponsorsSilence on human-rights issues risks alienating U.S. consumers; speaking up could earn the host nation’s ire

Since the International Olympic Committee intends to hold the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing despite protests, corporate sponsors face a possible dilemma of individual athletes speaking out, or face boycotts.

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The last words, for now

The largest Lunar New Year broadcast made international headlines for featuring performers in African-style costumes and dark face makeup, as noted by a group advocating for Chinese residents of African descent. The gala also featured sketches taking shots at unmarried millennials and blaming divorce on the vanity of women:

SupChina @supchinanews

Once again, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV’s annual Spring Festival Gala is in for withering criticism for poor taste, sexism, and other issues:

supchina.comOnce again, blackface and single-shaming jokes are featured at the CCTV Spring Festival Gala - SupChinaChinese state broadcaster CCTV’s annual Spring Festival Gala (春晚 chūnwǎn) comes in for withering criticism nearly every year for poor taste, sexism, and other issues. This year is no different.

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The China Letter is produced by the Canadian Freedom Institute, a think tank based in Canada. We produce the China Letter every week to keep you informed and to press the ideas of free markets and free people not only in China but around the world. Please consider donating to keep this newsletter running!