Domestic News
More than ever, what happens in China affects everyone, everywhere. Far from the monolith that China is often perceived as in the West — it is a vast country of 34 provinces & autonomous regions comprising 1.4 billion people. Politically, China may have a one-party system, but its domestic politics are more complicated than meet the eye. You can’t understand the world without understanding China.
Latest Posts
Hong Kong police arrest 90-year-old religious leader and 74-year-old barrister for threatening ‘national security’
Being a nonagenarian spiritual leader won’t stop Hong Kong’s cops from arresting you if they deem you a threat to government rule. Today the territory’s police nabbed a retired bishop, a former barrister and politician, a pop star, and a retired academic.
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Taiwanese activist released after serving five years in Chinese prison for “subversion”
Lee Ming-che, a rights activist in Taiwan, disappeared on a visit to China in 2017 and was later charged with “subversion of state power.” He is back in Taiwan and just gave his first public comments on his ordeal.
Hong Kong names ex-cop John Lee as its new leader
Under Hong Kong’s controversial new election process, John Lee has won the single-candidate election to become the city’s top leader. Lee received 1,416 of the 1,424 votes cast by a pro-Beijing election committee that has been chosen to represent Hong Kong’s 7.5 million people.
How scared are people in Beijing of a COVID lockdown? — Q&A with Anthony Tao
A chat with Anthony Tao, SupChina’s managing editor, who lives in Beijing, where some of his fellow residents are stockpiling food in fear of strict Shanghai-style lockdowns that could come to the city if COVID rates continue to rise.
China detains EU delegation employee on trumped up charges
An Dong, an employee for the EU delegation, has been detained for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” He was known for posting politically risky content to Chinese social media, but it is unclear what led the security services to detain and charge him.
The China cushion has deflated — Q&A with Stephen Roach
I spoke to the renowned economist and former Morgan Stanley executive and found him gloomier on China than he’s ever been, and that his upcoming book will cost him access in Beijing. He also told me to get new friends.
As economy sputters, Beijing promises to support unemployed migrant workers
Stimmie is coming to China, it seems: The government today pledged support for unemployed people, including allowances for migrant workers.
Xi bets on infrastructure to boost a limping, lockdown-battered economy
Beijing is betting that investing in infrastructure will boost the economy enough to reach its 5.5% growth target amid COVID lockdowns, tech gloom, and a property slump.
COVID-19 lockdown in the capital: Some Beijingers panic-buy as others remain phlegmatic
Life is not quite normal in China’s capital as fears of a lockdown rise alongside infection rates, but many people don’t fear the worst.
Parts of Beijing go into COVID-19 lockdown, as Shanghai fences residents in and Hong Kong eases restrictions slightly
Pandemic restrictions are affecting all of China’s major metropolises: This is a roundup of the latest lockdown news.