Monday - New set of reserve astronauts selected
China has announced the selection of 12-14 new astronauts for a follow-up mission for its manned space campaign. Astronauts are required to have a STEM degree, “speak fluent Putonghua, love the country, support “one country, two systems” principle, and support the manned space program.” We’ve discussed the political importance of China’s space adventures in a previous post.
However, there is another political aspect to this announcement: some of the participants will be chosen from Hong Kong and Macau. “Legislators from Hong Kong and Macao believe that the selection program would encourage more young people in the two regions to participate more actively in the national construction and contribute to the overall development of the country.”
Tuesday - Billionaire rape case ends in settlement
One of the biggest #MeToo cases in China has ended with fizzle in the US. 49 year-old billionaire, Liu Qiangdong, founder of Chinese shopping site JD.com, was accused of raping Liu Jingyao after a networking dinner in 2018. Though the criminal case was thrown out, the civil case caused a stir in China, with support swaying between both parties.
The Chinese press just seems to relay the facts, and some focus more on the (dis)functional nature of the American court system. However, apparently many Chinese netizens were disappointed at the result, as they hoped that the more transparent US justice system would give the young woman a fairer chance.
Wednesday - Xinjiang covid outbreak worsens
Trains out of Xinjiang have been suspended as cases in the region reach 354. Covid had been under control in the region by August, but for the past two months the outbreak has worsened apparently due to “strong infectiousness, fast transmission and short incubation period of the Omicron BA.5.2 variant, but also because of some loopholes in the anti-epidemic work.”
The way the story is written seems to direct criticism at local government: “the governance system and capacity at the grass-roots level were seriously insufficient, and local officials implemented a one-size-fits-all management, making it difficult to effectively implement scientific and accurate epidemic prevention policies.” This may be the beginning of the deflection tactics the central government will no doubt deploy when the true fallout from its covid policies are finally realised.
Thursday - Hong Kong court jails 2 women for unlawful assembly
In another episode of 'Hong Kong definitely isn’t becoming a dystopian extension of the mainland’, two women have been jailed for unlawful assembly in Tsuen Wan during the anti-extradition protests. That’s right, they’re only now being sentenced for something they did on August 25, 2019.
The prosecution accused the pair of assaulting police officers with spray paint, petrol bombs, bricks and laser pens, though in the 3-years since the offences didn’t manage to produce any evidence to support these claims. Of course, the evidence didn’t really matter here. After all, one of them was already serving time for a different crime. Once a criminal, am I right?
Friday - UN human rights council blocks Xinjiang debate
And to round the week off on a high note, the UN Human Rights Council has voted against holding a debate on China’s conduct in the north-eastern Xinjiang region, blocking discussion of a UN report that found Beijing’s abuses against the Muslim Uyghur minority could constitute “crimes against humanity”. With 17 for, 19 against, and 11 abstentions, it was a close call to be sure. People have been particularly surprised at the ‘nos’ and ‘abstentions’ of majority Muslim countries.
The decision is an indisputable victory for China. In response to the decision, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said: “The United States and some Western countries have repeatedly used Xinjiang-related issues to spread rumors and engage in political manipulation…in an attempt to smear China's image and curb China's development. he draft decision was still strongly opposed by most members of the Human Rights Council, especially the developing members… The international community is well aware of the sinister plans of the United States and other Western countries to "use Xinjiang to control China", and detest their despicable tactics to interfere in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights.”
They also suggested the HRC turn its attention to “serious human rights violations in the United States, the United Kingdom and other Western countries.” Honestly, I know it’s all fluff, but my energy bill agrees.
Have a lovely weekend everyone
Edi x