Taoism is quintessentially Chinese. The campaign confirms that “Sinicizing” religion does not mean making it more Chinese, but more subservient to the CCP.
China
The New Chinese Measures for Religious Activity Venues Come into Force on September 1: The Full Text
Even worse than the draft version, the Measures will convert places of worship into branches of the CCP propaganda system. “Bitter Winter” offers a full English translation.
Manhua and Lianhuanhua: The Best Book on Chinese Comics Is in Italian
“Il fumetto cinese” by Martina Caschera tells a fascinating and largely unknown story.
Chinese Buy Winnie the Pooh Merchandise—Abroad
An evening in Laos with Chinese tourists and the forbidden teddy bear.
Incorrigible Hikvision: Despite Denials, It Continues to Supply Uyghur Recognition Software
To avoid being banned in the West, Hikvision, the CCP-owned giant video surveillance company, claimed in 2022 it had stopped offering its racist video analytics systems. It was a lie.
New Xi Jinping Book Emphasizes Its Internet Obsessions
Xi’s two aims are making China a dominating Internet power and preventing use of social media in China by dissidents. Can they be achieved?
Xi Jinping Deadly Serious On Creating “Second Capital” in Hebei
New guidelines for Xiong’an are being issued, while dissidents consider the political significance of the move.
“Calling a Rat a Duck”: The Chinese Story That Would Not Go Away
In June, rat was served as duck to students who were told they should call it a duck if the authorities say so. Now, toys alluding to the incident are seized by the police.
A Leaked Indictment: Heavy Punishments for Uyghurs Who Tell the Truth on the Web
23-year-old Mirap Muhammet used a VPN to access Twitter. He was accused of “transferring intelligence abroad,” a very serious crime.
Sinicizing Buddhism: Buddhists Dressed in Red Army Uniforms Sing the “New Internationale”
The Beijing branch of the Fahua Dojo, led by Venerable Yin Guang, took “Sinicization” to new extremes. It was too much for Chinese netizens.