There has been surprise and awe as protestors in China chant “Xi Jinping, stand down” (习近平下台). Yet from our knowledge of power and resistance in authoritarian states, these demands should be expected to emerge sooner or later. 🧵
#ZeroCovidChina #UrumqiFire #ChinaProtests
#ZeroCovidChina #UrumqiFire #ChinaProtests
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The late, great Stephen White who taught Post-Communist Politics 101 emphasised that the more personalised an authoritarian system, the more that social discontent will focus on that leader as the sole actor responsible for policy and with power to change course.
The late, great Stephen White who taught Post-Communist Politics 101 emphasised that the more personalised an authoritarian system, the more that social discontent will focus on that leader as the sole actor responsible for policy and with power to change course.
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The more violent the leader, the more violence expected in state transformation. For example, no analyst wonders why Nicolae Ceaușescu’s end was so violent. It is explained in relation to the intensity of levels of state violence and personalisation of the political system.
The more violent the leader, the more violence expected in state transformation. For example, no analyst wonders why Nicolae Ceaușescu’s end was so violent. It is explained in relation to the intensity of levels of state violence and personalisation of the political system.
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Xi Jinping has personalised China's system. He is in command of policymaking and monitoring, his thought is a guide to action.
rusi.org/explore-our-re…
Xi Jinping has personalised China's system. He is in command of policymaking and monitoring, his thought is a guide to action.
rusi.org/explore-our-re…
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Xi Jinping threatens & imprisons cadres using examples of “violations of discipline”. We see this viscerally in #Xinjiang. Scholars & journalists must engage w/ research on region and its peoples to understand what Xi is doing across China and why.
sheffield.ac.uk/seas/news/xinj…
Xi Jinping threatens & imprisons cadres using examples of “violations of discipline”. We see this viscerally in #Xinjiang. Scholars & journalists must engage w/ research on region and its peoples to understand what Xi is doing across China and why.
sheffield.ac.uk/seas/news/xinj…
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Now we see public calls for Xi’s removal, not in Xinjiang, but far away in Shanghai and cities with high concentrations of educated young people who want to be allowed outside and to be able to express themselves.
Now we see public calls for Xi’s removal, not in Xinjiang, but far away in Shanghai and cities with high concentrations of educated young people who want to be allowed outside and to be able to express themselves.
https://twitter.com/wangnanfu/status/1596615129822527491?t=1jlkzxDSfwnaaCt0JYgmtw&s=19
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...and state anxiety that Han Chinese understand that genocide against #Uyghurs will eventually directly affect them.
“doing #Xinjiang work well is related to the overall situation of the whole nation…and is the business of all the party and the nation” Xi Jinping
...and state anxiety that Han Chinese understand that genocide against #Uyghurs will eventually directly affect them.
“doing #Xinjiang work well is related to the overall situation of the whole nation…and is the business of all the party and the nation” Xi Jinping
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Xi Jinping explains that Xinjiang's affairs affect security of entire nation. Scholars & journalists have access to primary sources and analysis, with important work by @adrianzenz but also myself, @dtbyler, and Kelly Hammond.
uyghurtribunal.com/wp-content/upl…
interpret.csis.org/imposing-the-p…
Xi Jinping explains that Xinjiang's affairs affect security of entire nation. Scholars & journalists have access to primary sources and analysis, with important work by @adrianzenz but also myself, @dtbyler, and Kelly Hammond.
uyghurtribunal.com/wp-content/upl…
interpret.csis.org/imposing-the-p…
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The protests in Urumchi focused on covid restrictions and survival, refusing to be victims of another #UrumqiFire.
The protests in Urumchi focused on covid restrictions and survival, refusing to be victims of another #UrumqiFire.
https://twitter.com/dakekang/status/1596515638935453696?t=sfgEJ4luBmMBa_gdC9MPsQ&s=19
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Protests in Shanghai could spiral into something more as they chant for freedom and political change, and these are taken up by Chinese diaspora around the world.
Protests in Shanghai could spiral into something more as they chant for freedom and political change, and these are taken up by Chinese diaspora around the world.
https://twitter.com/maksphotograph5/status/1597026935967997952?t=MSmgsjgG-7xr2iGM855IZQ&s=19
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Some Uyghur diaspora intellectuals are reasoning with Han protestors to include Uyghurs in their calls for freedom.
Some Uyghur diaspora intellectuals are reasoning with Han protestors to include Uyghurs in their calls for freedom.
https://twitter.com/RayhanAsat/status/1597101317620895744?t=ucIYc4b1B0S4cCe4VWuL2A&s=19
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There is also much hurt in the Uyghur diaspora community as they are not asking to be released from covid controls but from arbitrary detention, forced labour, and racial targeting.
There is also much hurt in the Uyghur diaspora community as they are not asking to be released from covid controls but from arbitrary detention, forced labour, and racial targeting.
https://twitter.com/AbduwelA/status/1596059746905329664?t=-bowRyNUrp9DHJmR7bh0Mw&s=19
https://twitter.com/nyrola/status/1596592174233452544?t=-bowRyNUrp9DHJmR7bh0Mw&s=19
https://twitter.com/rzhongnotes/status/1596963407982645248?t=FhmfCftrac176PFYJN-XQQ&s=19
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Journalists, activists, & analysts, please consider how China’s political system shapes protest and how the spark was caused by death of Uyghurs under racially targeted, excessive covid controls in a region considered under occupation by those people.
Journalists, activists, & analysts, please consider how China’s political system shapes protest and how the spark was caused by death of Uyghurs under racially targeted, excessive covid controls in a region considered under occupation by those people.
https://twitter.com/dtbyler/status/1596217968618536960?t=agsoiDlnyEE5XCH5pPlFlg&s=19
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Note that ordinary police are deployed in Shanghai to deal with what are interpreted as student protestors. In Urumchi, where Han are far more accustomed to conflict, military police were stationed immediately.
Note that ordinary police are deployed in Shanghai to deal with what are interpreted as student protestors. In Urumchi, where Han are far more accustomed to conflict, military police were stationed immediately.
https://twitter.com/uytimes/status/1596192102555082752?t=OFo6dUuhrN-JAp-zgif38g&s=19
https://twitter.com/eefjerammeloo/status/1596808052833128448?t=OFo6dUuhrN-JAp-zgif38g&s=19
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And in Kashgar, a Uyghur majority city, the security services were visibly more equipped and ready for violence in ways not seen in Shanghai.
And in Kashgar, a Uyghur majority city, the security services were visibly more equipped and ready for violence in ways not seen in Shanghai.
https://twitter.com/whyyoutouzhele/status/1596815452654960640?t=OFo6dUuhrN-JAp-zgif38g&s=19
https://twitter.com/whyyoutouzhele/status/1596816085818695680?t=OFo6dUuhrN-JAp-zgif38g&s=19
END
If Xi remains in control of military and nothing suggests he will not, protests will be crushed or they will dissipate. It is unclear if Chinese protestors in Shanghai are prepared for this. But their bravery should be documented alongside the tragic death of Uyghurs.
If Xi remains in control of military and nothing suggests he will not, protests will be crushed or they will dissipate. It is unclear if Chinese protestors in Shanghai are prepared for this. But their bravery should be documented alongside the tragic death of Uyghurs.
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