Eight things to know about China today
The China Letter: November 3, 2021
In a big week for news from China, we’re giving you a scan of the biggest stories, the news that relates to those stories, and sometimes how Chinese state media spins a different story. It’s easy to share this newsletter—and easier for somebody seeing it for the first time to subscribe for free:
1. A cop-out of COP26
Beijing claims that Xi Jinping not being provided with a video link was the reason that the president of the most polluting country sent only a written statement to the COP26 summit in Glasgow. Xi’s demanding money from the U.S. was deemed a dud.
2. The unhappiest place
The estimated 34,000 people locked down at the Shanghai Disney Resort due to one coronavirus case provided some global fascination at this point in the pandemic. And now Beijing is urging families to stock up on essential supplies in case of emergency.
3. A general speaks out
While the nuclear-capable hypersonic missile test was denied by China, top U.S. military officer Mark Milley described it as akin to that which triggered a Cold War with Russia. Beijing responded to reports by claiming it was a space experiment.
4. Beijing’s old optimism
China is doing fine according to a commentary from the Xinhua news agency, in response to fears due to a slowing GDP, new COVID-19 outbreaks, the state of the property sector and a power crunch. Here’s a translation of reassuring explanations.
5. Wars with Wikipedia
Wikipedia has been officially banned in Beijing, but now have several users who were caught editing items to incorporate a hard-line nationalist view into what are meant to be objective entries. And those editors were all ones accessing it from the mainland.
6. The big digital log off
Fortnite was being tested for possible launch in China, but the company behind won’t proceed further, due to the government crackdown on video games. Meanwhile, it’s the end of Yahoo operating in China—but most of its services were already blocked.
7. State watches HBO
“John Oliver’s show dodges facts about Taiwan, misleads public,” read the report from Global Times on the Last Week Tonight segment of October 24. Why is a British comic on American television of concern to state media? Because of what he said.
8. Buildings being lowered
The 128 floors of Shanghai Towers will unlikely be replicated anytime soon as China tries to keep its architecture in check, having previously lowered the hammer on ugly buildings. State media says it’s for safety reasons rather than ending vanity projects.
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!