Explaining the security threat posed by China
The China Letter: December 4, 2020
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Intelligence speaks out
American director of national intelligence John Ratcliffe didn’t mince words about the threat that China will continue to pose even with a different resident of the White House. And yet, companies like Nike and Coca-Cola are lobbying against a bill that would ban imports to the U.S. from the Xinjiang region where China is still detaining Muslims.
Tighter visa rules imposed by the U.S. on members of the Chinese Communist party were explained as being due to “propaganda, economic coercion, and other nefarious activities.” Beijing’s response that America is engaging in a “deep-rooted Cold War mentality” has become its repeated reaction to policies like these.
Spreading a violent lie
China won’t apologize for a fake image of a grinning Australian soldier slitting a child’s throat, which was posted on Twitter and drew condemnation around the world. It’s made social media more of a battleground between the countries. But even though tension grew through tariffs imposed by China, consumers sustain a different view:
A study of Chinese shoppers showed they continued to hold favourable opinions about Australian imports, even as the trade war escalated, which provides hope that Beijing will ease up on hostilities. In the meantime, the 200 per cent tariffs recently placed on its popular bottled wine has inspired other nations to show solidarity with Australia.
The faces of democracy
Reuters published profiles of four Hong Kong pro-democracy activists, ranging in age from 23 to 82, who emerged in the news since protests flared up last year. Meanwhile, the more familiar mask-covered face of Joshua Wong got more attention upon being sentenced to 13 1/2 months, a slightly longer prison term than two fellow protesters.
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and media tycoon Jimmy Lai was also denied bail on on fraud charges related to the lease of a building that houses Apple Daily, his tabloid which continued publishing after police raided its office in August.
The last words, for now
China agreed to loan two giant pandas to Canada in 2013, as part of what was seen as a symbol of improved relations between the countries, although they ultimately got more tense. Perhaps fittingly, the end of the residence by Er Shun and Da Mao ended abruptly due to the pandemic, and the Calgary Zoo gave them a friendly goodbye:
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