Top News 头条
The Chinese government continues its crackdown on Great Firewall circumvention technology such as VPNs, with a number of recent reports of police stopping individuals in public to search their phones and using a so-called “anti-fraud app” to detect circumvention software. In February, Technopedia reported that searches for VPNs in China had nearly doubled in the past year, despite the fact that downloading a VPN from an online search is impossible—indicating that the actual usage is probably much higher.
In Hong Kong, activist Ma Chun-man was the first person to be denied early release after the Article 23 national security law made national security cases ineligible—including those who were already approved for release—unless the Commissioner of the Correctional Services Department finds that their early release “will not be contrary to the interests of national security.” However, at a press conference, city leader John Lee said that the policy will be to deny early release for all national security related cases. Six UN Special Rapporteurs published a letter emphasizing their concerns regarding Article 23’s impact on human rights, and arguing that the new law is incompatible with Hong Kong’s international law obligations. Hong Kongers themselves describe self-censorship and increased paranoia: “I won't be inviting people to my home for dinner any more, or going to theirs, because I don't know if I can trust everyone I meet up with.” Radio Free Asia announced that it will be withdrawing from Hong Kong after the new Article 23 national security law created new safety risks for its journalists.
Law & Policy 法律与政策
The high cost of being a whistleblower in China: Gao Yaojie’s story highlights the extent to which “whistleblowing is an officially controlled process” in China, where even though the right to report wrongdoing is protected by the constitution, maintaining appearances for the CCP is tantamount.
NPC Calendar: April 2024: The National People’s Congress Standing Committee plans to meet in late April, where they will review at least ten pieces of legislation, including the Emergency Response and Management Law, the Anti-Money Laundering Law, and more.
Cyber Security & Digital Rights 网络安全与数字权利
China’s Advancing Efforts to Influence the U.S. Election Raise Alarms: New research has uncovered accounts on Twitter/X that primarily pose as Trump-supporting Americans, mimicking the behavior seen on other social media platforms as part of the so-called “Spamouflage” disinformation campaign run by the Chinese government.
Cyber-attacks linked to Chinese spy agencies are increasing, say analysts: A new UK report indicates that Chinese-linked cyber-attacks have increased in quantity and severity over the last several years, indicating a “more muscular stance” and a possible aim to create instability and test their capabilities.
Related: APT31: the Chinese hacking group behind global cyberespionage campaign.
China's WuXi AppTec shared US client's data with Beijing, US intelligence officials told senators: According to Reuters, U.S. intelligence officials believe that Chinese pharmaceutical company WuXi AppTec, a company that has assisted the CCP in carrying out genetic testing on Uyghurs, transferred intellectual property and data from at least one U.S. client to the Chinese government.
Related: Lawmakers urge Biden to call out more Chinese biotech firms.
China turns to AI in propaganda mocking the ‘American Dream’: Chinese state broadcaster CGTN has launched a new AI-animated series, “A Fractured America,” arguing that the United States is a dystopian society in decline. It is one example of new, mass produced videos that are the new forefront of China’s propaganda machine.
China's Temu drops ad campaign over personal data use fears: Online shopping platform Temu has walked back an advertising campaign it had launched in the UK and France, in which it offered customers “vouchers in exchange for surrendering their personal data for an indefinite period.”
Weibo Essay Comparing Party-State's Economic Policy to Gangsterism Censored: The deletion of an essay criticizing the CCP’s approach to economic management is the latest example of economy-related content removed by Chinese censors.
Hong Kong mulls compulsory surveillance and dash cameras in taxis: Hong Kong lawmakers are considering requiring a “central cloud-based camera system” to be installed in all taxis.
Diaspora Community & Transnational Repression 海外社群和跨国镇压
HRIC Co-Organizes Screening of Chow Hang-tung Documentary: Last week, HRIC co-organized a screening of “She’s in Jail,” a documentary on currently imprisoned Hong Kong barrister and pro-democracy activist Chow Hang-tung, at New York University.
Human Rights Defenders & Civil Society 人权捍卫者与公民社会
China court jails 'tortured' rights activist Xu Qin for four years: Xu Qin, human rights defender and co-founder of the human rights organization “China Human Rights Observer,” was sentenced to four years in prison. Her sentencing had been delayed twelve times in retribution for refusing to plead guilty, and she was tortured while in prison to extract a confession.
Pro-gov’t lawmaker Paul Tse deactivates own Facebook page to review ‘sensitive’ posts: In a move showing the extent of censorship in Hong Kong, “patriot” legislator Paul Tse temporarily deactivated his Facebook page to review it for “sensitive” remarks after he was censored for mentioning concerns over law enforcement and political influence from Mainland netizens.
Hong Kong’s pro-democracy Civic Party officially folds after 18 years: After voting to dissolve itself in May 2023, Hong Kong’s former second largest opposition party, the Civic Party, has completed its dissolution process and was removed from the companies registry last week.
Young activists recall abuse at Hong Kong juvenile correctional facility: Young Hong Kong activists describe serious abuse, including sexual abuse, in Pik Uk Correctional Institution for juvenile offenders.
Chinese University of Hong Kong removes copies of ‘unauthorised’ student publication from campus: The Chinese University of Hong Kong has removed copies of the University Community Press, formerly the CUHK Student Press, from campus. The Student Press was a publication of the CUHK student union until it was forced to disband in 2021 for political reasons.
Hongkonger shot by police during 2019 demos withdraws appeal against conviction and 6-year jail term: Hong Konger Chow Pak-kwan, who was shot by police while attempting to grab an officer’s gun during the 2019 protests, has decided to withdraw his appeal for his six-year prison sentence.
China’s Reach & Internal Control 中国: 内控与外扩
Chinese cities ban burning of 'ghost money' ahead of grave festival: Cracking down on traditional religious activity, some areas of China have banned burning paper “ghost money” for loved ones who have passed away.
Invest in Tibet and give your child a leg up on college exams: A program by the Tibetan government incentivizes wealthy Han Chinese to move there and invest in the region in order to give their children an advantage on college exams, a move that raises concerns over access to education for Tibetan children, as well as assimilationist motives.
International Responses 国际反应
US to impose new visa curbs on Hong Kong officials over rights crackdown: In response to the Article 23 national security law, the U.S. government has announced that it will be imposing new sanctions on officials who are “responsible,” although it did not specify which officials would be targeted.