The images coming out of #Chongqing are apocalyptic. Mass #coronavirus PCR tests being carried out as bushfires rage following months of heatwave with a record drought threatening crops and severely limiting much needed hydroelectricity. #China
Some more info on the vast drought across southern #China…
Large queues with what appear to be hundreds of fire fighters lining up for #coronavirus PCR tests in #Chongqing. This shows the priority being placed on zero #Covid in #China. Even as fires rage through forests, emergency teams must participate in mass testing.
It's as if #Chongqing has become the epicentre of all these global crisis points: drought, heatwaves, climate change bringing on extreme weather which is threatening food supplies, the debate over renewable energy and the #coronavirus amidst #China's ongoing zero #Covid approach.
Southern #China could really do with some rain however, believe it or not, there are now warnings that heavy rain may hit next week and - with all that dry topsoil - bring on landslides. There's also talk of possible flooding to come in some parts of #Sichuan.
I hope the people in #Chongqing and and #Sichuan get a break with the drought/heatwave situation soon. Chongqing is a great city. If you ever want to watch a hilarious, cool movie made there, I suggest Crazy Stone or疯狂的石头。#China.
For more on #China’s widespread drought, here’s a story I did on it yesterday. Pt 1.
Unrest in #Yunnan south west #China over the weekend after reported moves by the government to demolish a mosque. Large numbers of riot police clashed with local Hui Muslims. Najiaying now said to be sealed off, with the internet cut there.
A key point of tension in recent years has come from the “de-Arabisation” of mosques in #China. Some mosques have been completely demolished and others refashioned to have a more Chinese design. I’m not sure what the plan is in this case.
A stand up comedy company in #China has been fined 14.7 million yuan (USD $2.13 million) after a comedian told a joke said to be making fun of the People's Liberation Army at a #Beijing show. The company Xiaoguo Culture says it has terminated its contract with comedian Li Haoshi.
The joke involved dogs chasing a squirrel which he said reminded him of the expression, "Adopt a good style of work; be able to fight and win battles", a phrase #XiJinping has used to praise the work ethic of #China's military.
Stand up comedians in #China really have to be careful what they say. Eg, When performances started after #Covid they were ordered not to make fun of the #Shanghai lockdown. Some have turned to using English but they also must tread lightly... bbc.com/news/av/world-…
In recent years, #China based correspondents are being increasingly blocked from attending large political gatherings. Instead, the Communist Party flies in “friendly journalists” from other counties who can be relied on for positive coverage of the rubber stamp Congresses.
It’s glaring at this Congress: very few #China-based correspondents being allowed in for anything, it’s mainly the agencies given access + those who’ve been flown in by #Beijing for “journalism training” and who deliver puff about how great the Congress is with questions like…
I am amazed by the naivety of those who think this is somehow comparable to the way things work in other countries. For whatever faults there are with the western media, leaders in the West are routinely grilled by reporters. "Press conferences" at the NPC are propaganda shows.
Strongly-worded attack on the #US from #China's leader #XiJinping who said "western countries led by the US have implemented all-round containment, encirclement and suppression" against China + that this this brought "severe challenges" for this country. Closed door speech.
#China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang also warned if #Washington doesn't "hit the breaks" soon instead of ramping up tensions that this would "surely lead to conflict and confrontation".
#China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang said that the #US speaks about guard rails to avoid conflict but that if the US continues to go down the wrong path, no amount of guard rails would prevent a de-railing.
Bad enough that foreign correspondents have to work in #China under appalling conditions with constant state-sponsored harassment but straight out lies from Party-controlled media about it: “freely do interviews”? At the Congress? Most can’t even get inside the Great Hall.
Only a handful of mostly agency reporters were allowed in for the NPC opening session. The vast majority of #China-based international correspondents are now denied entry to these events. Instead, people flown in for the Party’s China friendly media training get to go.
BTW, if you want to read the actual FCCC report regarding the ever deteriorating working conditions for correspondents in #China, here it is:
#China Foreign Ministry re Chinese balloon being shot down by #US fighter jet: “China strongly disapproves of & protests against the US attack on a civilian unmanned airship by force…” that #Beijing had asked US to “handle the matter in a calm, professional & restrained manner”
#China For Ministry[cont] “…the #US use of force is a clear overreaction & a serious violation of international practice. China will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the company concerned, and reserves the right to make further responses if necessary”.
Images of the balloon being shot down now being shared on social media in #China. #US