Hong Kong and China purge politicians and websites that run counter to their governments
News briefing for May 2, 2023
Here’s what else you need to know about China today:
Top story: China broadened the scope of its anti-espionage law last week, as Beijing cracks down on national security risks. Some fear that it will create a more hostile environment for individuals and organizations operating in China. Click through for the whole thing.
The Hong Kong government plans to reduce the number of directly elected seats on local district councils from about 90% to about 20%. This would remove some of the last major publicly-chosen political representatives, as part of Chief Executive John Lee’s (李家超 Lǐ Jiāchāo) campaign to stymie any democratically-led challenges to the pro-establishment government. “I do not agree that pure counting (of) election votes mean democracy,” Lee said. “Different places have their own systems that must take into consideration all the characteristics and all the elements of that place.”
More than 4,200 websites and 55 apps have been shut down or removed from public access by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the country’s internet watchdog, in the first quarter of this year. CAC also summoned people in charge of more than 2,200 websites and told them to rectify their content, as part of Beijing’s efforts to clean up the internet and “safeguard” the security of online opinions.
China’s revisions on wartime conscription rules to build a “high-quality” military came into effect yesterday, after the country’s State Council and the Central Military Commission approved revisions last month that allow retired military personnel to reenlist in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The updated law also aims to recruit “highly educated” college students in strategic areas, such as space and cyber sectors.
China helped evacuate foreign nationals “of Pakistan and other countries that are friendly to China” from Sudan by sea and by land, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, as the ongoing violence between two local factions continues to block most escape routes out of the North African country.
An explosion at a Sinochem chemical plant has killed five people and left one missing in China’s eastern Shandong province, according to local authorities. The incident, which occurred at the hydrogen peroxide production area of Luxi Chemical Group, also left one other person injured. An investigation into the cause is ongoing.
China’s economy is recovering, with consumers spending big on luxury products and on tourism over the May 1 long weekend. Meanwhile, the bank HSBC posted profits of more than $10 billion for the first quarter of 2023, nearly four times greater than last year.
State media: Party paper the People’s Daily highlights the responsibilities of the youth, in advance of May 4 Youth Day, with a front-page piece exhorting young people to “adhere to the leadership of the Communist Party of China.” Xinhua News Agency’s top story is about General Secretary Xí Jìnpíng’s 习近平 views on “the scientific nature and practicality of Marxism.”
