China just published its annual Report on Human Rights Violations in the United States.
The U.S. constantly tells China what to do and how to do it, so it's only fair China gives some advice back!
A short 🧵 of the human rights low-lights in the Land of the Free last year...
▶️Divide between rich and poor widened
Last year, economic and social inequalities in the U.S. worsened, with the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. Over 40 million Americans were living in poverty, and 700,000 were homeless.
On top of that, 13.5% of U.S. households face food insecurity, and 13.8 million kids lived in families that didn't have enough food on the table.
▶️Drugs, guns and cops continued to kill
More than 100,000 people in the U.S. died from drug overdose. More than 1,400 children died from gunshot, and 1,300 died at the hands of police.
African Americans were three times more likely to be shot dead by police.
▶️Racial inequality continued
The United Nations Human Rights Council said racism in the U.S. persists "from cradle to grave."
The Los Angeles Times reported that Native Americans have the highest mortality rates and the lowest life expectancy of any racial group in the U.S., and added that the disparity is not owing to genetic factors.
Asian Americans continue to face systemic discrimination in various aspects.
▶️Women and children helpless
The U.S. has not ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and is the only UN member state that has refused to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
About 40% of women said they have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.
The protection of children's right to life and health is inadequate. The U.S. sees 5 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, fare exceeding the rates of other high-income countries.
▶️American hegemony steps on human rights
The U.S. has long pursued hegemony and unilateralism. Washington, DC has repeatedly trampled on int'l law and the fundamental norms of global relations, violated human rights in other countries, and posed a grave threat to global peace, security and development.
The U.S. has been serving as an accomplice to the genocide in Gaza.
Their excessive use of unilateral sanctions is fueling humanitarian crises, negatively affecting the lives of billions across the globe.
I had a bit of an accident on my electric scooter here in Shanghai. 🏍️
The police suggested I go for a hospital checkup, but I was worried it would take forever.
30 minutes later and I was done, including an X-Ray!
What was the process and cost? A short 🧵
Firstly, I’m totally fine! They wanted to X-ray my ankle, since it was a bit battered under my bike. No problems! The rest was just fairly surface scratching.
A whole group of scooter riders went through a red light, and while trying to stop I ended up on the ground.
I think I hit my head pretty hard, so please wear your helmets folks! (I was.)
The police came and told me to go to the nearest hospital for a checkup.
Being from NZ, I had in my mind that it would take hours upon hours.
Anyone saying Speed was paid by the "CCP"* or worked with the "CCP"* for his recent live streams in China is just showing how little they understand this country.
A quick 🧵:
*CPC
QUICK BACKGROUND:
YouTuber iSpeedShow has over 37 million followers on the app, and recently streamed from Shanghai and Beijing.
His two streams gained around 10M views, and were heralded as a massive boon for China, showing his young fans a more fair and realistic view.
CRITICISM:
Some claimed Speed was paid by the "CCP" for his streams in China, especially after he was praised by China's embassy in the US for helping "bridge gaps."
This is an ill-informed criticism, since the CPC doesn't work directly with any foreign celebrities etc.
Canada has updated its travel advice for China, warning Canadians that they may be subject to the law in China if they try to smuggle in drugs etc. 🇨🇦💉💊
But why?
A short 🧵⬇️
Canada is mad that China didn’t listen to Justin Trudeau when he ordered Beijing not to execute four Chinese nationals for smuggling drugs into China, because they also hold Canadian passports.
But wait!
In China, it’s illegal for Chinese to hold dual citizenship — they need to renounce their Chinese citizenship in order to become Canadian. They didn’t.
They entered China using Chinese passports and carrying drugs.
I asked Grok, X's AI model, and famous Chinese AI model DeepSeek a simple question:
▶️ Who is Andy Boreham?
One had an amazing reply, the other was almost completely wrong.
Decide who you think won before scrolling down to read both replies. ⬇️
Before we move on, this is Yumi Ishikawa, a Japanese activist who one of the AI models thinks is my wife...
GROK’S REPLY:
Andy Boreham is a New Zealand-born journalist and media professional based in Shanghai, China. He works as a columnist, video producer, and journalist for Shanghai Daily, a Chinese state-affiliated English-language newspaper, and its associated platform, SHINE.cn.
Boreham has lived in China for several years, initially moving there as an exchange student to study Mandarin during his undergraduate years at Victoria University of Wellington.
He later pursued a master’s degree in Chinese Language and Culture at Fudan University in Shanghai, funded by a Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia awarded by former New Zealand Prime Minister John Key.
After completing his studies, he began working full-time for Shanghai Daily.
Boreham is known for his coverage of China-related topics, often presenting perspectives that align with or defend the Chinese government’s narrative.
His work includes writing columns, producing vlogs and short documentaries, and conducting interviews on topics such as Chinese culture, politics, and international relations.
He has gained attention for his criticism of Western media’s portrayal of China, arguing that it is often biased and unfair. Boreham hosts and created Reports on China, a platform where he discusses issues related to China and counters what he describes as anti-China propaganda.
He has been labeled as "China state-affiliated media" by Twitter (now X), a designation he has described as a "badge of honour," reflecting his belief that he is providing a counter-narrative to Western media.
This label has made him a controversial figure, with critics accusing him of acting as a propagandist for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), a claim he denies, asserting that his views are his own and based on his experiences and understanding of China.
Boreham’s background also includes a diverse range of experiences in New Zealand, where he worked in media, politics, and graphic design before moving to China. He holds a triple major undergraduate degree in Media Studies, Political Science, and Chinese, and has experience in film production, having graduated from film school.
He is also involved with the New Zealand China Friendship Society, aiming to foster understanding between the two nations.
His work has garnered both praise and criticism. Supporters commend his investigative efforts, such as exposing alleged inaccuracies in Western reporting about China, while detractors view him as a mouthpiece for the CCP, pointing to his employment with state media and his defense of Chinese policies as evidence of bias.
Regardless of perspective, Boreham remains a notable figure in discussions about China’s image in global media.