Six storylines to watch about China this fall
The China Letter: September 15, 2021
China is impacting the world like never before. Just consider 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, growing revelations about the treatment of Uyghur Muslims, and the new security law in Hong Kong. Keep watching The China Letter for more observations about how these events are covered—and where the truth ultimately lies.
1. New taste for the Taliban
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told an Italian newspaper that Chinese funding will help rebuild Afghanistan and contribute to the Belt and Road Initiative. While the U.S. and India might try to live with this if it helps to curb terrorism, Uyghur Muslims who sought refuge there are worried about deportation to China.
2. A big tech crackdown
New rules for children in China stipulate one hour a day of video game play on weekends and holidays, to a maximum of three hours a week, as part of Beijing’s crackdown on technology. The new wave of regulation continues to hit companies like ride-hailing app Didi, which looks likely to join the companies placed under state control.
3. Winter Games are coming
The threat of coronavirus variants still looms over the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, but that’s on top of waiting to see if other countries will follow through on talk of boycotts. Canadian politicians have pondered if athletes will be safe given ongoing diplomatic tensions—but their pro hockey players were given the go-ahead.
4. Free press under fire
While media tycoon Jimmy Lai remains jailed under the new national security law, the remaining directors have resigned from the parent company of his now-defunct newspaper, Apple Daily. Next Digital filed for liquidation as Hong Kong prepares for its first election under a revamped system beneath Beijing’s heavy hand.
5. Shein gets new polish
The status of Shein shifted from enigmatic to established in what seems like record time, thanks to the fast-fashion brand riding the popularity of TikTok with younger consumers. It also means the name is attached to things like presumably false anti-Uyghur job ads. American celebrities are also being slammed for working with Shein.
6. Fame gets you erased
Zhao Wei has been completely erased from Chinese internet history for reasons that the government won’t explain, but it appears to be part of a trend by the Communist party to target celebrities who espouse beliefs that clash with Xi Jinping. Beijing’s broadcast regulator is also cracking down on “vulgar influences”.
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