A symposium promises for the coming year more “Sinicization” and surveillance of all religions.
Chinese Communist Party
A Micro-Totalitarian Maoist Group in France: Julie Pagis’ “Le Prophète Rouge”
A fascinating work of sociology raises questions on Maoism, Maoists in the West, charisma, and submission.
Sabah, Malaysia: A Textbook Example of How Chinese Influence Operates
A new report by Sinopsis shows the importance of China’s “soft power” campaigns to coopt the elites of other countries.
Thailand, China’s United Front and the “Buddha Teeth Diplomacy”
Bringing abroad Buddhist relics kept in China is used as a tool for Chinese propaganda and for spreading the lie that the CCP promotes religious liberty.
Earthquake in Tibet: The Wrong Condolences
Statements of solidarity in the name of friendship with “the Chinese people” just send the wrong message.
Hubei, CCP Salutes January 1 with a Party Denouncing “Cults and Illegal Religion”
Tongshan County CCP creatively “put together celebration and anti-xie-jiao education,” as the local Party Secretary said.
Taiwanese, Western Taoist Priests Ordained by the CCP-Controlled China Taoist Association
Likely in perfect good faith, newly ordained priests from Europe, America, Taiwan, and democratic Asian countries in fact now “represent” a Chinese body under Party supervision.
Tiandao Forum: Business as Usual for the Pro-CCP Catholic Diocese of Beijing
Some had expressed hopes that Auxiliary Bishop Zhen Xuebin, consecrated with Papal approval, would change something. But the Forum was CCP propaganda as usual.
The 7th Dongyue Forum: The Paradoxical “Sinicization of Taoism” Continues in China
The Forums were created in 2018 to promote and study how Taoism can be “Sinicized,” i.e., is converted more and more into a mouthpiece of the Communist Party.
An Epidemic of Murders in China: The Zhang Xianzhong Effect
As evidenced by the killing of 35 in Zhuhai in November, increasingly assassins target randomly selected victims they do not know. The regime believes a 17th-century rebel may inspire them.