Two Fires, One Extinguisher

On November 26, 2025, a five-alarm fire tore through Hong Kong’s Tai Po estate, MacPherson Court (Hung Fuk Estate), engulfing seven residential blocks. At least 160 people died, dozens were injured, and the city was left in shock. The physical fire burned for more than 43 hours. Another fire — political and institutional — was extinguished far more quickly.

As residents mourned and volunteers mobilized aid, some asked uncomfortable but reasonable questions: Why were flammable materials used? Why did the fire spread so fast? Could this tragedy have been prevented? The official response focused less on answers than on control. Calls for independent investigation, leaflets, and online criticism were treated as security risks.

This is where the second fire appeared. Shared grief, if allowed to gather, can become shared accountability. For the authorities, that possibility was more dangerous than the blaze itself. One extinguisher was deployed for both fires: a national security mindset designed to smother not only unrest, but also collective mourning.

Click Here for detailed reports.

Wave of Performance Cancellations Sweeps Across China Amid Tightened Censorship

In recent days, China has witnessed a wave of performance cancellations across the country. A Japanese monk singer called off his tour, several cities halted stand-up comedy shows, and Beijing bars canceled jazz performances. Over a span of just a few days, more than a dozen shows were abruptly canceled, some mere minutes before they were scheduled to start, with little to no explanation provided.

These cancellations followed a significant fine imposed on a Chinese comedy studio in Beijing. The studio was fined 13.35 million yuan after the government accused one of its comedians of insulting soldiers in a joke. In a northern city, police also detained a woman for defending the comedian online. These actions highlight the increasing scrutiny faced by China’s creative industries.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has intensified the control over art and culture as part of an ideological campaign, urging artists to align their work with the Communist Party’s goals. Performers must submit scripts for review, and publications are closely monitored. In a letter to the National Art Museum of China on its 60th anniversary, Xi emphasized the need to “maintain the correct political direction.”

This heightened emphasis on controlling art and culture aligns with Xi’s broader focus on national security and eliminating foreign influences. Recently, authorities have raided Western consulting firms and expanded anti-espionage laws.

The crackdown also extended to live performances involving foreign artists, resulting in canceled shows for rock bands, jazz musicians, and rappers across major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Cancellations were often attributed to “force majeure,” a term commonly used to imply government pressure.

Many observers see this as part of a larger strategy to tighten control over cultural expression amid deteriorating relations with the West. As Xi’s China becomes increasingly paranoid, cultural activities, including comedy and music, are becoming battlegrounds for ideological control.

Chinese Student Detained for Wearing Kimono in Suzhou

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.

Battle for Freedom: University Students’ Rainbow Protest

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.