New reasons to escape from Hong Kong
The China Letter: March 1, 2021
March finds the news from China coming in like a lion, as pro-democracy activists are facing reprisals from Beijing, at the same time the president boasts of unprecedented communist economic success. As the rest of the world commemorates a year of living with the pandemic, it’s even more relevant to keep watching what happens where it began.
Hong Kong cracking down
Charges of “subversion” laid upon 47 activists is a signal that Beijing has barely begun enforcing the Hong Kong security law, as they face potential life sentences. The arrests will also grow demand for the U.K.’s immigration offer to qualifying residents: an app for visas is increasingly popular, even if sanctuary can come at great expense.
The economic equation
President Xi Jinping says lifting 100 million people out of poverty will “go down in history” for China, as he presented data which its state media pointedly issued press releases about to global media. Meanwhile, data shows that Chinese investment in Australia decreased 61 per cent last year, in just one hot spot for international tension:
A new study shows how Chinese malware was flowing into the control systems that manage electric supply across India last summer, when battles between the countries raged in the Himalayas. It’s yet another revelation related to the bloody border clash, but also an indication of how the future of military conflict could play out elsewhere.
The back-ended truth
Complaints were lodged by U.S. diplomats over anal swab tests they were forced to take for COVID-19, which became more commonplace in cities with new outbreaks. But reports of this testing was followed by China denying they were required, whereas Washington said Beijing admitted that the tests were actually administered in error.
No hunger for Hollywood
China’s domestic film production is driving a box-office boom validated over the Lunar New Year festival at cinemas still running at half capacity. It’s also provided more indication of a market less reliant upon American imports. But a documentary reaching the U.S. provides a carefully edited window into the life of Uyghur Muslims:
The last words, for now
Chang’e 5 was the probe launched in December to collect moon samples, which also reflected expectations of an increased Chinese pursuit of dominating outer space. With preparations underway for two more missions, Xi Jinping unveiled a preview of what was gathered in advance of it being put on public display this month in Beijing:
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!