From January 28 to February 4, 2023, a Chinese-operated high-altitude balloon was seen in North American airspace. On Feb 4, it was shot down by U.S. Air Force.
The U. S. government said that balloon carried antennas and other equipment clearly for intelligence surveillance, yet Chinese government insisted it was a civilian meteorological research airship that had blown off course.
Over the past weekend, four more unidentified objects were spotted U.S. and Canadian airspace and were shot down as well. Whether they’re also operated by China is unclear so far.
In an abrupt policy shift on December 7, 2022, China announced it would no longer pursue its stringent “dynamic zero-COVID” strategy. The new guidelines, known as the “Ten New Measures,” marked a sudden relaxation of pandemic controls, signaling an end to three years of strict lockdowns. This hasty transition towards living with the virus, however, proved disastrous.
China’s unprepared and ill-conceived abandonment of its strict COVID measures has led to a surge in infections. Hospitals have become overwhelmed, unable to cope with the sudden influx of patients. Instead of carefully planning for a phased reopening, the government’s reckless decision left the population vulnerable and unprotected.
The aftermath of this thoughtless policy change was predictable and preventable. The lack of adequate preparation for such a significant shift revealed a gross negligence on the part of the authorities, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the lives and well-being of its citizens. The government’s dismissive response to the resulting chaos, including the flippant notion of “getting over the peak,” underscores a shocking level of irresponsibility.
China’s handling of this transition from zero-COVID is a stark example of bureaucratic incompetence and indifference. The government’s failure to anticipate and mitigate the repercussions of their decision has inflicted needless suffering on millions. It is a sobering reminder that public health should never be sacrificed at the altar of political expediency.
In November 2022, anti-lockdown protests erupted across China, triggered by stringent COVID-19 measures. Notable incidents included clashes at a Foxconn iPhone factory in Zhengzhou, where workers protested delayed bonuses and poor quarantine conditions. In Guangzhou, residents defied lockdowns, leading to confrontations with authorities.
Public anger intensified after a 4-month-old baby’s death due to delayed medical care under COVID restrictions. The baby’s father recounted how emergency services were delayed due to COVID protocols, which significantly hindered timely medical response. Despite eventually arriving, the emergency personnel initially refused to transport the baby to the hospital. The delay resulted in the baby waiting 12 hours for medical assistance, leading to her tragic death.
This incident sparked widespread public outrage and criticism of the “zero-COVID” policy’s severe impact on people’s lives, and posed a significant challenge to Xi Jinping’s leadership.
During the spring and summer lockdowns in Shanghai, a young couple refused to go to a quarantine center. When a health worker threatened that it would affect their family for three generations, the young man replied, “We are the last generation.” This statement was seen as an expression of despair. Now, Shanghai’s youth are chanting “We want freedom, we want human rights,” and “Xi Jinping step down, Communist Party step down.” This transformation of grievances into political demands is rare since the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. The harsh zero-COVID policy of Xi Jinping’s regime has accelerated public resistance.
On November 24, a deadly fire in Urumqi trapped and killed over ten people in their homes. Fire trucks couldn’t get close to the building to extinguish the fire, fueling anger over the zero-COVID policy. The tragedy in Urumqi sparked nationwide protests, led by the youth. In Lanzhou, people overturned COVID testing vehicles, and Nanjing Communication University students gathered to support Xinjiang. The most prominent scene occurred in Shanghai, the economic hub devastated by the lockdown. Videos show that on the night of November 26, predominantly young people gathered on Urumqi Street, laying flowers and candles to mourn the victims. The police confronted them, leading to a standoff. When the police tried to disperse the crowd, the protesters sang “The March of the Volunteers,” China’s national anthem, and chanted “Communist Party, step down! Xi Jinping, step down!”
This scene was unprecedented in China, where anti-government street protests are extremely rare. Despite Xi Jinping reaching the peak of his power at the recent 20th Party Congress, where he eliminated all internal opposition and secured a third term, the Shanghai people demanded his resignation.
The police eventually cleared the area, and videos show people protecting each other and rescuing fellow protesters. Photos shared by the Associated Press show a bus taking away a group of protesters. Although dispersed, their calls for “human rights, freedom” were echoed by students at Peking University and Tsinghua University. In Beijing, protesters at Liangmaqiao chanted slogans in support of Shanghai, and on Sunday, Shanghai residents returned to protest again.
Many wonder why, in such a large country with so many people, there has been compliance with a scientifically unfounded policy solely to satisfy the leader’s will. The answer is fear. Numerous tragedies have occurred this year alone: a nurse in Shanghai was denied emergency treatment at her own hospital, a three-year-old child in Lanzhou died of gas poisoning because his family couldn’t take him to the hospital, and two young women in Guangdong were publicly humiliated for not wearing masks. However, more and more people are refusing to be slaves. The “Superman” hero of Chongqing famously declared, “We have neither freedom nor wealth. We are still struggling with a mild illness.”
In September, a quarantine bus accident in Guizhou killed 27 people, prompting the cry, “We are all on that bus.” The Urumqi fire, which killed ten people, made many realize they could no longer “sit on the train of enslavement.” Three years of violent zero-COVID policies have led to economic decline and hardship. Many migrant workers are homeless, small businesses bankrupt, and youths have wasted their prime years, suffering humiliation and abuse from health workers.
Observers believe the Chinese people are aware of who is behind the cruel zero-COVID policies. By calling for the Communist Party and Xi Jinping to step down, Shanghai residents have shown their intolerable anger towards tyranny. Protests for human rights and freedom are common in most countries, even in autocratic ones like Russia and Iran. However, in China, these actions come with severe consequences, as evidenced by the continuous arrests by the police.
Shanghai’s protests were not isolated, as videos showed solidarity demonstrations in dozens of cities across China on Sunday. In Chengdu, people gathered on Wangping Street and chanted slogans against dictatorship and lifelong rule. Across many places in China, protesters held up blank sheets of paper in silent protest. Some said, “This is our generation’s revolution. We insist on saying what they forbid, insisting on freedom, dignity, and a China that belongs to us!” The blank paper has thus become a symbol of resistance against tyranny.
On November 24th, at least 10 people died in a high-rise fire in Urumqi, the regional capital of Xinjiang. It was widely believed that Covid restrictions prevented the victims from escaping.
As China’s harsh Covid rules extend into the third year, frustration and desperation with lockdowns, quarantines and mass testings that have upended everyday life, have caused anger and defiance across china. This fire in Urumqi has pushed people’s anger even deeper. For the past a few days, demonstrators appeared in cities and on college campuses, most of them holding a blank sheet of A4 paper, a symbol of protest against Covid policies or even denouncing the Communist Party and its leader, Xi Jinping.
There is definitely nothing on the paper, but we know what’s on there. Leaving things unsaid, a sheet of blank paper expresses even more than words can do. It represents everything we want to say but cannot say.
A bus transporting 47 people from the city of Guiyang to a quarantine facility rolled over around 2:40 am on September 18th, killing at least 27 of them. While the rest of the world moves toward living with the virus, China still have mass quarantines lockdowns under its “Zero Covid” policy which ordinary Chinese people are powerless to resist. Angry comments and large outpourings of public grief were censored.
While the rest of the world breathes the sweet air of freedom, in China, face masks stay as the latest fashion statement with no expiration date. It’s as if the government is channeling its inner trendsetter, adamant that face masks are here to stay forever. Who needs facial expressions anyway?
On September 7th, Enshi City in Hubei Province recorded a modest four new COVID-19 cases, the local government swiftly declared “temporary control measures.”
In a video that went viral on September 9th, Enshi’s youngest citizens—yes, the little ones from a local kindergarten—made their grand debut in full protective gear. Picture it: tiny humans swathed in oversized hazmat suits, resembling mini astronauts ready for a space mission, but alas, their destination was far less glamorous. They were being whisked away to isolation because three of their peers tested positive. Naturally, the entire kindergarten was escorted to quarantine, because why not?
Instead of nap time and story sessions, these kids get to experience the joys of quarantine—an opportunity to develop resilience, perhaps? Or maybe it’s just another chapter in their prematurely stressful lives.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its proxies have adopted various strategies to influence media, including propaganda promotion, rumor engineering, censorship and intimidation, control of content distribution agencies, training of media workers and officials, and co-opting media serving the local Chinese diaspora.
In August 2022, a seemingly innocuous fashion choice sparked widespread debate and controversy in China. A Chinese student, studying abroad in Japan, was detained by police in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, for wearing a kimono while taking photos on the street. The incident has since become a focal point for discussions on cultural sensitivity, personal freedom, and the complexities of Sino-Japanese relations.
The student, dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono, was participating in a photoshoot on a busy street in Suzhou. According to her account, she was approached by local police officers and accused of “disturbing public order.” Despite her explanations, she was taken to the police station for questioning. She later released a video recounting her experience, which quickly went viral and attracted significant media attention.
The incident has provoked strong reactions both within China and internationally. Many people expressed outrage over what they perceived as an infringement on individual rights and personal expression. Critics argued that clothing should not be a basis for detention and highlighted the importance of cultural exchange and understanding.
On the other hand, some supported the authorities’ actions, citing historical tensions between China and Japan. They argued that wearing a kimono, a symbol of Japanese culture, could be seen as insensitive given the historical context.
The detention of a Chinese student for wearing a kimono in Suzhou is more than just a local incident; it reflects broader issues of cultural identity, historical memory, and the limits of personal freedom. This event has underscored the delicate balance between cultural sensitivity and freedom of expression. In an increasingly globalized world, cross-cultural interactions and exchanges are inevitable and often beneficial. However, they can also lead to misunderstandings, conflicts or even persecutions, particularly in regions with complex historical and political backgrounds like China.
China’s national women’s volleyball team were wearing N95 masks in the opening set of their match against Iran at the Asian Volleyball Confederation Cup, being held in the Philippines. They lost the first set. After taking masks off for the second set, they went on to win. Sacrificing the health of players for the sake of the country’s “Zero Covid” policy, this ridiculous scene has caused a stir on Chinese social media. People couldn’t help asking: Who lost his mind and made the decision? Don’t you have any common sense?
In May 2022, two Tsinghua University students faced disciplinary action for distributing rainbow flags on campus. To mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOT), They left ten flags in a supermarket on campus with a note encouraging others to take them to support LGBTQ+ rights.
The university identified the students through security cameras and harassed them by phone calls and uninvited visits to their dorm. On July 15th, one student received a disciplinary decision, which was a “serious warning,” and two days later, the other student also received a disciplinary decision, which was a “warning.” The disciplinary results will be kept in the students’ permanent record and will affect their participation in various honor selections, receipt of scholarships, future graduate studies, and political reviews for civil service examinations, among other things.
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, various discriminatory practices have emerged worldwide, but few are as stark as the “No COVID History” policies seen in China. In a bid to control the spread of COVID-19, some institutions in China have implemented a policy requiring individuals to have no history of COVID-19 infection. This means that even those who have recovered from the virus are denied entry to certain public spaces or employment opportunities. For instance, a museum in Hangzhou explicitly stated that visitors must not have been previously diagnosed with COVID-19.
The discrimination goes beyond policy. COVID-19 survivors have been labeled with dehumanizing terms such as “Yang Ren” (阳人), “Little Sheep” (小羊人), and simply “Sheep” (羊). These labels strip individuals of their dignity and reinforce negative stereotypes. Moreover, the personal details of COVID-19 patients have been publicly disclosed, leading to online harassment and further stigmatization.
Afen’s story is a poignant example of the impact of these discriminatory policies. After recovering from COVID-19, Afen struggled to find employment due to the “No COVID History” requirement. Despite numerous attempts to secure a job, she faced repeated rejections solely based on her past infection. Her situation became so dire that she ended up living in Hongqiao Railway Station, reflecting the harsh reality faced by many in similar circumstances.
The widespread implementation of the “No COVID History” policy has resulted in mass discrimination within industries such as the service sector in Shanghai. Many recovered patients, like Afen, find themselves in a precarious position, unable to secure basic employment despite being otherwise qualified.
One of the underlying reasons for this discrimination is the fear of “re-positive” cases—instances where recovered patients test positive for COVID-19 again. However, scientific evidence suggests that these cases are typically due to the presence of non-infectious viral fragments. Despite this, the fear persists, fueled by sensational media reports and public misunderstanding.
Educational efforts are crucial in combating the stigma associated with COVID-19 recovery. Clear communication about the nature of “re-positive” cases and the actual risks involved can help alleviate public fear. Additionally, policies must be revised to align with scientific understanding and to protect the rights of those who have recovered from COVID-19.
In conclusion, the “No COVID History” policy in China is a glaring example of how fear and misinformation can lead to widespread discrimination. It is a call to action for policymakers, educators, and the public to stand against such practices and support the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their health history.
“Exam adjustment, job adjustment, even children can be reassigned under the name of ‘social adjustment’ by the authorities. In 1990, a couple from Quanzhou, Guangxi, had their 1-year-old son taken away. Thirty-two years later, a notice from the local Health Commission responded by saying that the child had been taken away for ‘social adjustment,’ causing an uproar on the internet.
Tang Yueying, now 69, and her husband Deng Zhensheng had four sons and three daughters. Their youngest child, born in 1989, would be 33 years old if still alive. Tang Yueying told Huashang News that she was staying in a hotel in Quanzhou County with her 15-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son when three women and two men suddenly took her son from her. The couple searched for 32 years but found no results. They went to the local government’s petition department to request an investigation into the abduction. On July 5 this year, a notice from the Quanzhou County Health Commission titled ‘Notice of Non-Acceptance of Petition Matters’ circulated online. It stated that the couple’s child, being the seventh child which violated the population control policy, was taken away for ‘social adjustment’ by the county, and that there was no child trafficking involved. The notice also mentioned that no records were kept regarding the whereabouts of the children taken for social adjustment and that the petition matter would not be processed.
Moreover, the notice mentioned that given the severe population control situation in the 1990s, the policy of ‘controlling population quantity and improving population quality’ was strictly enforced. The decision to reassign one of the children was made by the county committee and government based on the severe family planning work situation at the time.
Treating children as commodities, is openly illegal under the guise of a county committee and government decision, legitimizing human trafficking behavior.
During the lockdown in Shanghai, thousands of families were cruelly separated, with parents and children forcibly isolated from each other.
These policies are not only cold and heartless but also a blatant violation of basic human rights. Under the guise of “public health safety,” the government implemented inhumane quarantine measures, completely disregarding family bonds and the psychological well-being of children. Countless children endured fear and loneliness without their parents, crying out every night: who is this “safety” really for?
This disaster laid bare the government’s incompetence and cruelty. The so-called “scientific control” became a grotesque mockery of humanity. Pandemic control is necessary, but not at the cost of destroying families. The Chinese government must take responsibility for these innocent children and families and immediately rectify these brutal policies.
The Truth Of China 