The predominantly Muslim Uighur ethnic group are among the minorities targeted in what Beijing claims is a campaign to tackle unrest and separatism. The UN says a million Uighurs have been arbitrarily detained in extralegal “political reeducation camps,” whilst Human Rights Watch reports that surveillance and repression in Xinjiang has increased dramatically since 2016.
LATEST NEWS & VIEWS
How China seeks to redefine global norms and keep the West at bay
China was one of the major issues in the US presidential election. No matter what stance we take, we must acknowledge an objective reality: four decades of the US strategy of “peaceful evolution” and engagement with China has failed spectacularly. Drawing on the lessons of the Soviet Union, China has developed a series of ways […]
‘Poisoning bilateral relations’: China lists 14 grievances with Australia including Hong Kong ‘interference’ and ‘unfriendly’ media
Sino-Australian relations stooped to new low after a document from the Chinese Embassy expressed Beijing’s anger towards Canberra over a myriad of issues. The deliberately leaked document listed 14 disputes, including the Australian government’s “incessant wanton interference in China’s Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Taiwan affairs,” and their decision to ban Chinese telecom companies Huawei and […]
COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS
12 Hongkongers are now being subject to China’s murky criminal system – their compatriots should learn what’s at stake
By Leo Lan When the 12 Hong Kong activists decided to cross the strait from Hong Kong to Taiwan, they may have understood the potential risks, including being caught by mainland Chinese, Hong Kong or Taiwan marine police, or a possible accident at sea. Yet, the 12 and their family members might not have been […]
Why moviegoers with a conscience should boycott Mulan
A few years ago a friend of mine, the Chinese-born Canadian actor Anastasia Lin, winner of Miss World Canada, auditioned for the lead role in the new Disney production Mulan. She was unsuccessful, and now I fully understand why. The film is based on the legend of the young Chinese woman, Hua Mulan, who disguises […]
FEATURES
Interview: Historian Jeffrey Wasserstrom says world must keep paying attention to Hong Kong despite pandemic distractions
When historian Jeffrey Wasserstrom was contemplating Hong Kong’s future as he wrote his book on last year’s protests, he never imagined that freedoms would come under attack so soon after Beijing’s national security law was passed. “I’d say this was the picture that I feared,” he told HKFP, “but it’s happened faster than anybody expected, […]
Exclusive: ‘I am a Hongkonger’ – Artist Ai Weiwei on why he supports the city’s ‘brave, clever, beautiful’ protest movement
Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei made his name in visual arts, film and architecture, before his critical commentary against the Chinese government led to persecution and a trial on allegations of tax evasion. Ai moved to Berlin in 2015, and has become an outspoken advocate for migrants’ rights. During the height of the anti-extradition law […]
