New podcast and some reading
This week you can actually read about modern China-Taiwan relations after hearing all about it on the podcast
Podcast
This week we’re back talking history with the first episode of two on the Sino-Soviet Split. The split saw a breakdown in political and economic relations between China and the USSR from 1958 to 1964 for a multitude of reasons, including US-Soviet dealings, Sino-Indian Conflict, a skirmish in the Taiwan Strait, ideological differences, and personal vendettas. Taiwan also features prominently in the news section this week - I feel like we’re talking about Taiwan a lot recently…
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News
China’s growing military confidence puts Taiwan at risk: There was some uproar over The Economist’s cover which labelled Taiwan ‘The Most Dangerous Place on Earth’ this week. And by uproar, I mean people on Twitter got upset that their home was being portrayed as dangerous, and pointed out that dramatic headlines may actually make things worse.
If you want the tl;dr version, check out Apple Daily’s summary article here.
China launches core module of new space station, to be completed by end of 2022: Having been banned from the international one, China’s plans to create its own space station are now fully underway.
Some reflections on the “anonymous Xinjiang paper”: An anonymous paper refuting the mainstream view that a genocide is currently being carried out in Xinjiang province against the Uyghur people has been hotly contested. One professor in particular, Jane Golley, was heavily criticised for citing the paper at a National Press Club Speech. This article, by Michael Clarke, argues that instead of attacking people, perhaps we should hear them out and engage with their arguments. Revolutionary.
Official Weibo Account Sends Out Controversial, Insensitive Post on India Covid Crisis: In a stunning move that even Chinese netizens did not agree with, the official account of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission posted a rather inconsiderate post seemingly mocking India’s handling of the new coronavirus variant sweeping through the population. What’s on Weibo details the affair, as well as the responses from the more feeling of China’s online community.
China adopts law against food waste; binge eating, excessive leftovers to face fines: As China seeks to improve food security and self-sufficiency in grain production, the government has formally introduced a ban on mukbang videos and food waste in restaurants. They have announced that there is no food shortage on the horizon, but they want to prepare for population growth and short up against external uncertainties.
Have a great week all,
Edi