Protesters in Beijing and Shanghai describe heightened digital surveillance, strip searches, threats against their families, and being forced into physical duress during interrogation. Since Xi came to power 10 years ago, China has undergone a revolution in the way it polices dissent, eroding anonymity online and in the real world by embracing widespread data collection and automated surveillance tools. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/01/04/china-surveillance-protests-security/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axioschina&stream=china
#China Covid Curated

Tracked, detained, vilified: How China throttled anti-covid protests

China Covid Curated

Protesters in Beijing and Shanghai describe heightened digital surveillance, strip searches, threats against their families, and being forced into physical duress during interrogation. Since Xi came to power 10 years ago, China has undergone a revolution in the way it polices dissent, eroding anonymity online and in the real world by embracing widespread data collection and automated surveillance tools. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/01/04/china-surveillance-protests-security/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axioschina&stream=china #China Covid Curated

Jerome Cody

A group of friends attended a vigil in Beijing. Then one by one, they disappeared (CNN)

- "The overall number of people detained in connection with the protests within China’s notoriously opaque security and judicial systems also remains uncertain."
- "What is known about these detentions, carried out quietly in the weeks after November 27, stands as a chilling marker of the lengths to which China’s ruling Communist Party will go to stamp out all forms of dissent and free speech — and the tactics used to counter perceived threats."

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/22/china/china-zero-covid-protesters-detained-beijing-intl-hnk/index.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axioschina&stream=china

A group of friends attended a vigil in Beijing. Then one by one, they disappeared (CNN)  - "The overall number of people detained in connection with the protests within China’s notoriously opaque security and judicial systems also remains uncertain." - "What is known about these detentions, carried out quietly in the weeks after November 27, stands as a chilling marker of the lengths to which China’s ruling Communist Party will go to stamp out all forms of dissent and free speech — and the tactics used to counter perceived threats."  https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/22/china/china-zero-covid-protesters-detained-beijing-intl-hnk/index.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axioschina&stream=china

When one by one, the friends of a young woman living in Beijing began disappearing — detained by the police after attending a vigil together weeks earlier — she felt sure that her time was nearing.

A group of friends attended a vigil in Beijing. Then one by one, they disappeared | CNN

"Among protesters and human rights lawyers, one leading theory — considered likely but difficult to prove — is that the police used cell signal towers to pull all phone numbers from locations where crowds gathered and then deployed officers en masse to work through the list."

Sam Mendoza

Even though China's political system is not often understood by outsiders, Xi's decision to secure his third term and quickly lift the lockdown was met with admiration. His ability to make difficult decisions in a timely manner is seen as a sign of true leadership. He is also praised for his ability to recognize the need for quick action during times of crisis. This has earned him respect from many countries around the world.

No-one outside China understands its politics. Xi secured his third term then lifted the lockdown getting the hard part out of the way as soon as he could. Smart politics.

Todd Smith

Derek

"If all else fails, blame foreign influence"

Haha, nailed it!

"If all else fails, blame foreign influence"  Haha, nailed it!