- Anti-corruption show captivates millions
- Hype for hypersonics
- Genting faces bankruptcy
- Criticism of Slovenia’s Taiwan plans
- Airbus recycling in Chengdu
- Still no purchase tax for EVs
- Hong Kong activist released from prison
- Renegade nationals forced to return to China
- Amnesty warns over ‘sports washing’
- Profile: Paul Harris – Human rights lawyer in Hong Kong
A few months before the Communist Party’s big congress starts in the fall, domestic issues are once again pushing into the spotlight. For example, Xi Jinping’s campaign against corruption had been quiet for a while. But now the party is revving up the fight against corruption in its own ranks with great fanfare. For the first time, it is turning to new formats such as reality TV. A miniseries presents real and up-to-date criminal investigations of corrupt cadres: true crime with Chinese characteristics. Finn Mayer-Kuckuk has seen the show and explains why it captivates its audience and how it benefits the party.
For several months now, China’s weapon tests of hypersonic missiles have been causing concern, especially in the USA. One advantage of these missiles, apart from their incredible velocity, is their flexible guidance system. Both Russia and the US have shown interest in the technology. Michael Radunski analyzes what the current hypersonic hype is all about and to what extent this new missile type could change the global security structure.
We hope you enjoy today’s issue!
Christiane Kühl
Feature
An anti-corruption TV show captivates the nation
The anti-corruption campaign as reality television: In a five-part series, state broadcaster CCTV is currently airing particularly spectacular examples of corrupt government officials. The show’s title is “Zero Tolerance” 零容忍, its presentation exciting and modern, the music moving. Emotionally, it is pulling all the stops.
The series presents real cases showing the work of the CCP’s feared Commission for Discipline Inspection. For instance, it shows huge estates illegally financed by high party cadres and collections of luxury watches or jade jewelry. Thick bundles of cash – and the inconspicuous food boxes in which a cadre had the money handed to him – are also prominently featured.
Sun Lijun 孫力軍, that is the name of the party bigwig with the lunch boxes. His story clearly shows the political messages that party leader Xi Jinping wants to convey with this media project. After all, it was Sun who was featured in the first episode. He used to be Vice-Minister of Public Security and thus in direct control of the police apparatus. Sun was also Head of Security in Hong Kong when the democracy movement took to the streets. That goes to show that even henchmen loyal to the system are not safe from prosecution. And: Xi’s purge shows no sign of stopping, even in its tenth year. On the contrary. It is gaining new momentum.
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