Tag: democracy

Cartoon: I don’t see any evidence of lab-leak

I don’t see any evidence of lab-leak

The debate over the origin of COVID-19 is now burning hot, with increasing demand for an international investigation into the possibility of a lab leak. However, a top scientist at the Wuhan Institute of Virology denied and told the New York Times there is no evidence, “I don’t know how the world has come to this, constantly pouring filth on an innocent scientist”.

Problem solved: How to boost birth rate in China

Problem solved

Shih Wing-ching, Chairman of Centaline Property Agency, recently wrote an article “How to solve the declining birth rate”. He said “I don’t support birth control. To take the basic birth responsibility as a human, I think people should be forbidden to use condoms unless they already have two children .”

Does that mean you may need to show your children’s birth certificates to buy condoms in China?

China gets older: 2020 census worries Beijing

I’m sorry I can’t

China’s birth rate was 1.3 children per woman, well below the replacement level-2.1— the rate needed to maintain a stable population. The data also showed a sharp rise in the percentage of Chinese aged 60 and above, to 18.7% of the population from 13.3% in 2010.

Experts say the slowdown birth rate is rooted in several trends, including the rise of women in the work force who are educated and don’t see marriage as necessary to achieving financial security, at least for themselves. For Chinese couples, many cannot afford to have children as living costs increase and their jobs demand more time and energy. Basically, it’s a society where nobody wants to get married and people can’t afford to have children.

Beijing’s Crackdown on Tech Giants: A Warning Against Unchecked Power

Under my thumb

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Monday for national financial regulatory authorities to strengthen control over the internet economy. Chinese tech giants, already heavily suppressed by the government for monopolistic behavior, are likely to face more trouble.

In November, Xu Lin, Deputy Minister of the Central Propaganda Department, publicly stated that China must “resolutely prevent the weakening of the Party’s leadership in the name of integrated development,” referring to media integration, and “resolutely guard against the risk of capital manipulating public opinion.”

The message is clear: only the Party can censor and manipulate public opinion.

Authorities establish cybersecurity police units directly within major internet companies. Countless users have been arrested and imprisoned for criticizing the government on Tencent’s WeChat. ByteDance, the parent company of the video-sharing app TikTok, closely cooperates with police to push official propaganda and cover up human rights abuses in Xinjiang.

Tech company CEOs in China have little room to negotiate or resist regulatory authorities because there is no rule of law and nowhere to appeal in China. No one understands the consequences of deviating from the Party line better than Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba and its affiliate Ant Financial. In November, the initial public offering of Ant Financial was abruptly halted by Chinese regulatory authorities just days before its scheduled listing because Ma had publicly criticized China’s financial regulatory system for stifling innovation in a speech.

After that speech, Ma disappeared from public view until he reappeared in an online video in late January, discussing how to support Xi Jinping’s vigorously promoted rural poverty alleviation economic strategy through philanthropic activities.

In this era of government versus tech giants, we already know which side will prevail in China. Big tech companies are simply no match.

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The Social Distancing Era: How It Has Changed Our Lives

Social Distancing

Social distancing has become a defining feature of our lives, significantly altering our daily routines and interactions. Designed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, social distancing has turned bustling cities into quiet zones, with empty streets and closed businesses. Parks and playgrounds, once full of life, now stand silent.

Social interactions have been drastically affected. Gatherings with friends and family are rare, often replaced by virtual meetups. Hugs and handshakes are distant memories, replaced by awkward waves and elbow bumps. Celebrations like birthdays and weddings have been postponed or downsized, leading to feelings of loss and isolation.

Education has also shifted dramatically. Schools and universities have moved online, creating challenges for students and teachers. The lack of face-to-face interaction has highlighted the digital divide, leaving many students struggling to keep up.

Remote work has become the norm for many, bringing both flexibility and challenges. The lack of separation between home and work, along with endless virtual meetings, has increased burnout and fatigue.

Mental health has suffered too. The constant uncertainty and isolation have led to higher levels of anxiety and depression, emphasizing the importance of human connection. Even funerals have been affected. Restrictions have prevented loved ones from gathering to grieve together.

One Country, One System

On June 30, 2020, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China passed and implemented the “Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,” commonly referred to as the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL). The introduction of this law in Hong Kong has sparked intense controversy, as it is widely seen as a severe breach of the “one country, two systems” principle that was meant to guarantee Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and its own legal system for 50 years following the 1997 handover.

The implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law marks a significant turning point in the city’s history, raising profound concerns about the future of its freedoms, autonomy, and the rule of law.

Wuhan Lockdown: An Unprepared Pause on an Entire City

Under the Dome

In late January 2020, the world watched in shock as Wuhan, a city in central China, was abruptly placed under lockdown. This drastic measure, taken in response to the outbreak of a new and rapidly spreading virus, revealed the inhumane and unprepared nature of the government’s response.

At 10 am on January 23, Wuhan announced a lockdown, halting public transportation and closing all outbound travel routes. By 2 pm, highways were also shut down, effectively sealing off a city of about 9 million residents. An additional 5 million people managed to flee before the lockdown took full effect, scattering the virus across the country and even beyond China’s borders.

The timing of this lockdown could not have been more critical. As the Lunar New Year approached, Wuhan’s hospitals were overwhelmed with patients, and social media platforms were flooded with desperate pleas from frontline healthcare workers for protective equipment. The shortage of medical supplies was dire, leaving many vulnerable to infection. In a tragic consequence, bodies of deceased patients remained in hospitals for extended periods due to the sheer number of deaths.

The situation only worsened as Wuhan announced stricter measures, implementing complete residential lockdowns. Residents were confined to their homes, unable to leave except under special circumstances. This led to a surge in distress and panic among the populace, who found themselves trapped without adequate resources or support.

Recent official figures showed a staggering rise in cases, with a peak of 13,436 new confirmed cases in a single day. The total number of infections reached 32,994, with over a thousand deaths, nearly three times the death toll in mainland China during the SARS epidemic.

The Wuhan lockdown highlighted the lack of preparedness and the harshness of the government’s approach. Without proper planning, millions of lives were thrown into chaos, facing shortages of essential supplies and inadequate medical care.