Top News 头条
Last week marked the fourth anniversary of the passing of Dr. Li Wenliang, COVID-19 whistleblower and ophthalmologist known for his selfless efforts to warn the world about COVID before succumbing to the virus himself. Online, Chinese internet users posted commemorations for Dr. Li, many including his most well-known statement: “There should be more than one voice in a healthy society.” Outside the Chinese consulate in Los Angeles, a group of overseas Chinese activists brought flowers and chanted slogans such as “truth belongs to the people” in honor of Dr. Li’s memory.
A society with many voices, such as Taiwan, is seen by Beijing as a direct threat to the power of the CCP. HRIC has translated into English a recent interview with our Executive Director Zhou Fengsuo and two young democracy activists who spoke to Radio Taiwan International about their experiences viewing the elections in Taiwan last month, particularly their admiration for Taiwan’s vibrant democratic process.
Finally, following U.S. statements about China’s “persistent” access to American infrastructure through the hacking group Volt Typhoon, the Dutch government disclosed that Chinese hackers used malware to gain access to an unclassified armed forces network in 2023. This is the first time that the Netherlands has publicly acknowledged Chinese cyberattacks against its government. In response to serious concerns over cybersecurity, the Biden administration is considering new regulations that would enforce higher standards for critical infrastructure operators.
Law & Policy 法律与政策
NPCSC Session Watch: NPC Preparations and State Secrets Law Revisions: In two weeks, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee is set to review the draft revision to the Law on Guarding State Secrets, which is set to increase the coverage of the law by creating a “work secrets” category.
Cyber Security & Digital Rights 网络安全与数字权利
New Reports on Digital Surveillance and DNA Collection in Tibet; Repression Against Tibetan Diaspora: A new report from Turquoise Roof and Tibet Watch examines digital surveillance in Tibet, focusing on the “National Anti-Fraud Centre” app and the “Tibet Underworld Criminal Integrated Intelligence Application Platform,” a big data policing platform that uses American software from Oracle.
Chinese firm helps websites push pro-Beijing content: CitizenLab, a research lab at the University of Toronto, has uncovered a Shenzhen company that has pushed CCP propaganda through at least 123 websites posing as local media companies.
Diaspora Community & Transnational Repression 海外社群和跨国镇压
中国学生在英国大学毕业典礼上挥舞自由香港旗帜 [Chinese student waves free Hong Kong flag at British university graduation ceremony]: During his graduation ceremony at the University of York, UK, Chinese student activist Ma Youwei raised a flag reading “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Times.” However, the moment was removed from the university’s Youtube video of the ceremony, and Ma described being treated as a “troublemaker.” In 2019, the University of York forced students to take down pro-democracy protest displays after members of a Chinese embassy-funded student group reported them as offensive.
Taiwan detects 8 Chinese balloons for second straight day: Numbers of Chinese balloons flying around and over Taiwan increased significantly over the Lunar New Year, with eight spotted on Friday and eight on Saturday. Five of the balloons on Saturday flew directly over the island. While Beijing’s use of military intimidation has increased over the past year, the exact purpose of the balloons is unclear.
Beijing accused of using spying, threats and blackmail against Tibetan exiles: A new report from the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy investigates the extent of transnational repression against Tibetans in diaspora, finding that more than half of interviewees had experienced threats to their families back home in order to ensure compliance. The report points out that repression is comparatively worse in Europe, as the United States is “more active in responding to Chinese transnational repression.”
Pro-Beijing groups protest US official’s meeting with Hong Kong activists wanted under security law: Last week, Daniel Kritenbrink, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, met with four “wanted” overseas Hong Kong activists: Elmer Yuen, Anna Kwok, Frances Hui and Joey Siu. In response, some pro-Beijing groups protested at the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong.
Human Rights Defenders & Civil Society 人权捍卫者与公民社会
Signs of rare unrest among North Korean workers in China, researchers say: Reportedly, more than 3,000 North Korean workers in China participated in protests last month, among poor conditions, unpaid wages, and a tug of war between China, who wants to send them home, and North Korea, who benefits financially by taking 90% of workers’ wages.
Tibetan monk who criticized China’s policies released from prison: Rinchen Tsultrim, a Tibetan monk sentenced to “inciting separatism” for his writing in support of Tibetan language rights, has been released from prison after four and a half years. However, he remains under surveillance.
Hong Kong police vow to hunt exiled activist Agnes Chow ‘for life’: Agnes Chow, Hong Kong activist who violated her bail conditions to flee to Canada, has officially been added to the Hong Kong authorities’ “wanted” list.
14-year-old among 3 found guilty of unlawful assembly in 2019, as Hong Kong judge says testimonies unreliable: Three Hong Kong residents, including one underage defendant who was 14 at the time of an October 2019 protest over a “foul odor” suspected to be tear gas at a Tuen Mun police base, have been found guilty of “unlawful assembly.”
Ex-student leader convicted of rioting in Hong Kong legislature interrupted by judge for giving ‘political opinions’: Althea Suen, former student leader and Hong Kong children's rights activist who was convicted of "rioting" in the HK legislature in 2019, was repeatedly interrupted by the judge for "expressing political opinions" during her mitigation plea on Tuesday.
Hong Kong man convicted of carrying unlicensed walkie-talkie after prosecutors secure review of acquittal: 22-year-old Hung Ka-wing has been charged with unlicensed possession of a walkie-talkie, after a judge ruled that he was “responsible for understanding the rules on licensing and control of telecommunications in Hong Kong.”
Hong Kong man jailed for 5 months over Facebook comments about stabbing police chief: In Hong Kong, Chau Kin-kwok has been sentenced to five months for making angry Facebook comments calling the CCP “tyrants” and saying to “charge the police headquarters,” which the court ruled fell under “inciting others to wound the city’s police chief.”
China’s Reach & Internal Control 中国: 内控与外扩
美国会报告：中国公民在国际组织担任要职 试图拓展全球影响 [US Congress report: Chinese citizens hold important positions in international organizations in an attempt to expand global influence]: A U.S. Congress-affiliated research group published a list of Chinese nationals who hold senior positions in major international organizations, which has been characterized as one strategy for China to expand its international influence.
International Responses 国际反应
German firm BASF to pull out of Xinjiang after Uyghur abuse claims: Chemical manufacturer BASF has announced that it will pull out of Xinjiang “within the next few months,” following a media investigation that showed BASF’s partner company was involved in home visits and other repressive actions against Uyghurs.