“The freedom, because you know it is hard for us to live in China, facing social pressure from family, from traditional culture. Maybe here we can have a life like in our imagination, which can not only fulfil our own needs, but also our children’s. And here we can tell our children that we are very normal, like other people.” BBC
But in the last decade the military balance across the Taiwan Strait has tipped dramatically in China’s favour. The old formula no longer works. Washington insists its policy has not changed but, in crucial ways, it has. The US State Department has been quick to deny FMF implies any recognition of Taiwan. But in Taipei it’s apparent that America is redefining its relationship with the island, especially so given the urgency with which Washington is pushing Taiwan to re-arm. And Taiwan, which is outmatched by China, needs the help. BBC
“To be blunt, China doesn’t have that many friends in the world. We used to be one, but not anymore,” Professor Golley said. “If you think about it, it makes sense to have a strong economic relationship with an ally of the United States. If you’re being cynical, it gives you an opportunity to drive a wedge between us and Washington.” BBC
“The public outpouring of grief for Li reflects the mourning of some Chinese people for a more open and optimistic time, before Mr Xi steered the country in a more authoritarian, statist, and nationalist direction,” said Neil Thomas, fellow for Chinese Politics at Asia Society Policy Institute. BBC
Officers in plain clothes keep gathering in greater numbers around those speaking to the BBC, listening in to what they say. Along Hongxing road, there are hundreds of them, and many more Communist Party volunteers. They are there to maintain order, and journalists are pushed out of the area, with interviews prevented. BBC
Dr Yang, who previously worked for China’s Ministry of State Security, was a scholar and novelist in Australia who blogged about Chinese affairs. He was nicknamed the “democracy peddler”, but his writings often avoided direct criticisms of the government. BBC
Commenting on the deal, Shein executive chairman Donald Tang, said: “Shein aims to reignite the Missguided brand, capitalising on its unique brand personality, and fuelling its global growth through Shein’s on-demand production model, unparalleled e-commerce expertise and global reach.” BBC
In May 2022, during a virtual meeting said to involve more than 100,000 government and business representatives, he first spoke highly of the “effective work” from officials facing “unexpected challenges” during the crisis but then he went on: “The difficulties, in some areas and to a certain degree, are even greater than the severe shock of the pandemic in 2020.” BBC
“Li’s death means the loss of a prominent moderating voice within the senior levels of the Chinese Communist Party, with no one apparently being able to take over the mantle,” Ian Chong, non resident scholar at the Carnegie China think tank told the BBC. BBC
“The banking system in China is still almost exclusively state-run,” says Dexter Roberts, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. “So if Beijing tells those banks to find a way to roll over the debt, then they’re going to do that. Ultimately, they answer to the state and they’re well aware of that.” BBC