HRIC Weekly Brief
January 21, 2025
Top News 头条
A leaked Chinese official document has suggested that Chinese authorities are increasing measures to monitor and target Chinese citizens living overseas, increasing concerns about transnational repression. Zhou Fengsuo, Executive Director of Human Rights in China, pointed out that the CCP's control over overseas groups is becoming increasingly blatant through harassment and threats to family members: "The CCP continues to tighten control to consolidate its regime due to its lack of legitimacy, and technology makes cross-border surveillance more convenient."
Meanwhile, Veryreal, a “free WeChat” which supports group chats of 100,000 people and video conferences of 1,000 people in order to provide a digital space for independent discussion, was recently removed from the Apple App Store at the request of the Cyberspace Administration of China for having “social mobilization capabilities.” The move comes as the government considers using AI to increase controls on social media platforms. According to one proposal, artificial intelligence could be used to help monitor “information leaks” through public accounts and ensure a so-called “healthy ecology” online.
Law & Policy 法律与政策
Interpretation of Several Issues Concerning the Application of Law in Handling Criminal Cases of Attacks on Police Officers: This interpretation of a 2021 criminal law amendment defines a violent attack on a police offer to include “biting, slapping, kicking, tackling, or throwing objects,” and exclude minor scuffling to evade capture and “verbal attacks.”
Cyber Security & Digital Rights 网络安全与数字权利
US removes malware allegedly planted on computers by Chinese-backed hackers: Investigators said the malware "PlugX" affected thousands of computers around the globe and was used to infect and steal information, was installed via infected USB devices by a band of hackers known by the names "Mustang Panda" and "Twill Typhoon."
China_Chatbot_13: What happens when Chinese AI meets Chinese media: The latest AI developments include the Chinese government’s plans “to make AI monitor AI,” and why the global export of Large Language Models from China would infringe upon human rights.
Chinese hackers accessed Yellen's computer in US Treasury breach, Bloomberg News reports: According to Treasury officials, the “major incident” occurred in December, when Chinese state-sponsored hackers breached the department's computer security guardrails by compromising third-party cybersecurity service provider BeyondTrust.
Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban: On January 19, 2025, the Supreme Court upheld the legality of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which makes it unlawful for “companies in the United States to provide services to distribute, maintain, or update the social media platform TikTok.”
Related: Tiktok is Already Back Online. Less than 24 hours after TikTok pulled its U.S. services in response to the ban, it resumed service in the United States based on assurances from President-elect Trump.
Related: RedNote Recruited US Influencers to Promote App During TikTok Ban Uncertainty.
Related: Censorship Creeps Up on “TikTok Refugees” Fleeing to Chinese App Xiaohongshu. As American users seek a new home in another Chinese app, the platform’s censors are now adapting to the additional challenges brought about by American usage of the platform.
Diaspora Community & Transnational Repression 海外社群和跨国镇压
After Fleeing Abroad, Uyghurs Continue to Face Deportations to China: Last week, a group of Uyghur men held in Bangkok immigration detention made a public appeal to halt what they called an imminent threat of deportation. These events highlighted the Chinese government’s strong influence over international legal practices, and the vulnerable positions of Uyghurs in exile.
Human Rights Defenders & Civil Society 人权捍卫者与公民社会
Journal retracts Thermo Fisher Scientific study after ethical concerns: The study used a forensic DNA database that may be used by Chinese police to identify individuals who are not part of the database.
What is the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute and why was it raided by national security police?: Polls conducted by the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute are among the few remaining indicators of public sentiment in post-National Security Law Hong Kong.
Related: Wife and son of wanted ex-pollster questioned by Hong Kong national security police: Chung Kim-wah was formerly the deputy CEO of the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute who left Hong Kong in April 2022 to the UK citing fears of censorship.
Ten Years After Umbrella Protests: What has changed for Hongkongers?: With the changed political landscape of Hong Kong, many Hong Kongers decided to leave the city after the harsh crackdowns.
Hong Kong chief justice claims overseas judges have left due to ‘orchestrated harassment’: Only six of the original fifteen overseas judges still sit on the bench in Hong Kong, with many recent departures expressing strong concerns over the state of the rule of law.
China’s Reach & Internal Control 中国: 内控与外扩
China Deploys More Security to Try to Reassure a Country on Edge: In recent weeks, the Chinese authorities have deployed increased numbers of police in public spaces, including schools, karaoke bars, and rental homes, to “root out perceived malcontents.”
Mitigating national security risks: Retired Taiwanese military personnel have been recruited by the Chinese government to gather intelligence on key military installations and the American Institute in Taiwan, and were have even been involved in a plot to establish an armed assassination unit.
International Responses 国际反应
US extends and expands protections for Hong Kongers: The US government extended and expanded protections for Hong Kongers currently in the US, protecting them from deportation until February 5, 2027, and providing them with the opportunity to obtain work permits.
Current Events 热点新闻
Thousands of imports enter Australia from firms blacklisted by US over alleged Uyghur forced labour links: An investigation by the Guardian revealed that Australia’s imports from eight US-blacklisted companies actually increased after the United States introduced its ban, peaking in 2023.
China executes 2 men who committed deadly attacks known as ‘revenge on society crimes’: The executions come less than three months after both attacks, which killed 35 and 17 people respectively. According to the report, “China is believed to execute more prisoners each year than the rest of the world combined, though the precise total is classified a state secret.”