News that caught our eye / The week ending December 2
NOTE: The news reports below are not in chronological order. There is often a time lag in their reaching the US and in gaining our attention. These reports reflect the opinions of a variety of news sources.
Russian, Chinese bombers fly joint patrols over Pacific / November 30, 2022
Russia and China demonstrated their military cooperation by conducting a “joint patrol” with bombers over the western Pacific on Wednesday. While the countries’ cooperative drills are not new, this was the first time that China landed its jets at a Russian air base, and Russia did the same at a Chinese base (Associated Press).
China signals ease in Covid policy after mass protests / December 1, 2022
After protests nationwide over China’s strict Covid policies, and the death of 10 people was popularly blamed on a Covid lockdown, some Covid restrictions were suddenly eased in Beijing and Guangzhou, due, according to a high-ranking pandemic official, to the weakening ability of the Covid virus to “cause disease” (BBC News).
Uyghur Women Forced to Marry Han Chinese Men / December 1, 2022
Interracial marriage is in China’s campaign for “social stability” but it really has assimilation in mind, and sees interracial marriage as a way to spread Chinese culture. Uyghur culture traditionally has rejected such unions, but with financial incentives and threats of punishment for refusing to comply, Uyghur women can’t refuse (Bitter Winter).
Protestors urge China's President Xi to resign over Covid restrictions / November 28, 2022 Protests erupted throughout China over the weekend, initially in response to ongoing zero-Covid policies and their potential role in a fire that killed 40 people who were locked in their flats. However, the protests turned political as university students and citizens called for democratic reforms and the resignation of President Xi Jinping (BBC).
Protests; Covid; Xi's diplomacy; National security; A summary / November 28, 2022
While the protests in China may potentially continue, it is more likely the Chinese government will suppress the protests. Meanwhile, Covid cases increase and President Xi Jinping meets with Cuban, Mongolian, and European Council Presidents (Sinocism).
Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin Dies / November 30, 2022
Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin passed away on Wednesday at 96. He initiated China’s transformation into an economic powerhouse by adapting capitalism into the Chinese economy. His death potentially threatens Xi Jinping as citizens may view Jiang’s presidency as a time of greater freedom (Washington Post).
China's protests: Blank paper—the symbol of rare demonstrations / November 28, 2022
Citizens used plain white paper as a sign of protest in recent demonstrations in China, following a tradition of unusual items to represent an issue. The paper symbol began in Hong Kong in 2020 to protest new draconian laws there. In China, the papers suggest authorities might arrest protestors for “saying nothing” (BBC News).
Locked in their building because of Covid, 40 burn to death / November 29, 2022
Forty people burned to death in their apartment building on November 24th in Urumqi, the capital of the Uyghur region. They were unable to escape because the exits were wired shut from the outside to prevent people from leaving because of the Covid lockdown (Bitter Winter).
China’s space station gets a new crew / November 29, 2022
China has installed a new crew on its Shenzhou space station. The crew of three will complete the building of the space station. The crew takes over from the previous team of astronauts and marks the first in-orbit crew rotation in Chinese space history (Reuters).
US Space Force: China a threat in space / November 27, 2022
Nina Armagno, director of staff of the U.S. Space Force, has described China’s space efforts as a threat to the West. “I think it's entirely possible they could catch up and surpass us, absolutely. The progress they've made has been stunning, stunningly fast” (Reuters).
Protests in China over Covid / November 28, 2022
The weekend brought protests in several Chinese cities, including Shanghai and Beijing. Crowds were in the streets to criticize the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward Covid. Some protesters called for Chairman Xi to step down (AP News).
China reacts to protests /November 28, 2022 (Reuters)
N. Korea invited by China to work for peace / November 26, 2022
Chinese President Xi Jinping has told North Korea’s Kim Jong Un that Beijing is willing to work with Pyongyang for global peace and stability (Aljazeera).