With the emergence of a new wave of virus in China, concerns for the country are growing.
Let’s take a look.
Care Covid-19
Despite the setback by Chinese President Xi Jinping awaiting victory over Covid-19, there is a new revolution in the Hebei region.
Also read | A year after the Wuhan revolution, two Chinese cities were locked up
Two cities were kept under lock and key, with the movement of people and vehicles under control, roads closed and major trials underway.
More than 200 new cases were reported this week in Hebei.
Trials are also underway in other cities in the province and, of course, citizens are being encouraged to betray each other.
Reports say authorities in Nangong are offering cash, 500 yuan (USD 77) for reporting any unidentified suspects.
Chinese authorities have urged citizens not to make unnecessary trips for the Lunar New Year which leads to millions of travels and last year they contributed to the Wuhan uprising as well.
Many local governments have issued orders this week to enforce travel restrictions, forcing China’s State Railways to refund tickets booked before Thursday.
Beijing has banned large-scale receptions by urging residents to cancel weddings, simplify funerals and reduce gatherings.
In another big embarrassment for China, a report has said that about 168,000 people were infected with the virus in Wuhan and that at least two-thirds of those diseases were asymptomatic.
According to official figures, China has recorded just under 97,000 cases.
Silent disagreement
China is also trying to avoid criticism about the cover of Alibaba founder Jack Ma.
Reports say Beijing has issued orders to the propaganda branch of the Chinese government.
The instructions from the Chinese administration are specific, stick to the official line, do not make any changes and do not do extended analysis without permission.
No reactions from the country will be published and foreign media reports on the issue are not allowed as well.
Investors and entrepreneurs are worried, fearing that the new rules are more political.
Controlling reporting in Hong Kong
China is also trying to control the reporting in Hong Kong.
Earlier in the week, China rallied more than 50 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong.
On Thursday, the UN expressed concern about the situation in Hong Kong.
The UN Human Rights Office has demanded the immediate release of the arrested protesters and Chinese diplomats.
The US has threatened to impose sanctions in Hong Kong.
And Beijing responded by comparing the unrest in the U.S. Capitol with Hong Kong’s peaceful protests.
“This is a scene that feels familiar. However, the views of some people in the U.S., including the media, have been expressed in a different way. It has been reported that radical demonstrators in Hong Kong a violent attack on the Hong Kong Legislative Council building in July 2019, ”Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hua Chunying said.
America responds
The U.S. did not comment on the statement and plans to send a strong message to China next week when UN Ambassador Kelly Craft travels to Taiwan.
Craft will meet Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu and President Tsai Ing-wen.
Beijing has said that America is playing with fire and that a move could “destroy relations between China and the US”.
However, the U.S. ambassador’s visit is important as Taiwan’s membership issue in DA is likely to come up and China’s headache is likely to grow next week.