China’s National Day protests put on mute

The China Letter: October 2, 2020

Oct 02, 2020

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Golden Week resistance

VIDEO: Four Hong Kong pro-democracy activists march towards the venue of an official ceremony to celebrate China's National Day, chanting slogans such as "End one party rule" while surrounded by some 40 police officers

The annual celebration of National Day in China brings hope of boosting tourism, but warnings of punishment for those who climb the “wild Great Wall” during this Golden Week. Hong Kong police cited coronavirus distancing rules in their decision to ban demonstrations against China: 6,000 deployed officers arrested at least 60 people.

PEN America @PENamerica

Oxford University students are being asked to submit China-related work anonymously for fear of political retaliation under a draconian national security law that was imposed on Hong Kong and applies anywhere in the world.

bit.lyOxford University Moves to Protect Students From Hong Kong Security LawUnder the law, anyone in the world can be prosecuted for criticizing the Chinese or Hong Kong authorities.

Students at Oxford University in London have been told not to put their names on work that risks being relayed to Chinese authorities by informants in their midst. The move reflects how the new national security law has affected freedoms, as reflected in recent arrests of activists—including those who were urging protests for National Day.

American leaves Beijing

CTV News @CTVNews

AP Interview: U.S. ambassador defends tough approach to China ctvnews.ca/world/ap-inter…

“The unfortunate thing is we’re trying to rebalance the relationship so we have fairness and reciprocity, but every time we do something, they keep it unbalanced,” said departing U.S. ambassador Terry Branstad in this exit interview. Meanwhile, a clue of what could be coming next was spotted during a recent simulated island assault exercise:

SCMP News @SCMPNews

Does this US military uniform suggest it is preparing for war with China?

scmp.comDoes this US military uniform suggest it is preparing for war with China?The

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A view seems out of synch

CNN @CNN

Chinese President Xi Jinping believes his policies in the far-western region of Xinjiang are "completely correct," despite growing international criticism of alleged human rights abuses and mass internment.

cnn.itChina’s President Xi says Xinjiang policies ‘completely correct’ amid growing international criticismNewly leaked Chinese records have revealed for the first time the system by which hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs have been monitored and detained in heavily fortified internment centers across Xinjiang. According to the leak, Chinese citizens can be sent to the camps for reasons such as growing be…

Chinese state media’s report from a Communist party conference featured Xi Jinping defending the treatment of Uighur Muslims on the grounds that it’s supplied them with “gain, happiness and security.” But others have seen the stories about alleged labour camps and sterilization in Xinjiang.

Guardian World @guardianworld

Chinese Uighurs could be allowed to seek genocide ruling in UK

theguardian.comUighurs could be allowed to seek genocide ruling against China in UKExclusive: MPs and peers aim to grant minorities in China the right to petition British courts

Proposals currently being sought by British MPs would allow persecuted minorities to petition a U.K. high court judge that genocide is taking place in China. Currently, it’s left to the United Nations to rule on such designations, which has resulted in clashes.

The state of China critics

BBC Asia @BBCNewsAsia

Chen Qiushi: Chinese journalist missing since February 'under state supervision'

bbc.inMissing Chinese journalist ‘under state supervision’Chen Qiushi disappeared in February after reporting on the outbreak of the coronavirus in Wuhan.

Human rights lawyer turned video journalist Chen Qiushi was recently found under state supervision after being “quarantined by force” at the height of the COVID-19 outbreak. Chinese TV anchor Cheng Lei remains detained due to social media posts on the pandemic, but she was recently visited by officials from her native Australia.

The last words, for now

“Ode to Joy” became an anthem of sorts during the peak of the coronavirus crisis, as the musical piece best known for its use in the final movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony rang out in multiple countries during the lockdown—whether performed outside or online. Teachers in China are now being told it’s off-limits in the classroom:

Apple Daily HK 蘋果日報 @appledaily_hk

#China has banned the fourth movement of #Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, also known as the Ode to Joy, by defining it as "religious music.", according to posts circulated on Chinese social media sites Douban and Weibo. Read more: bit.ly/2G6fFx0 #AppleDailyENG

bit.lyChina bans Beethoven’s Ode to Joy in teaching materialsChina has banned the fourth movement of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, also known as the Ode to Joy, by defining it as “religious music.” The...