Australia spoke out against it over a year ago at the same time it requested a thorough investigation into the origins of Covid-19. Since then China slapped dozens of tariffs on our exports from barley to iron ore to, more famously, wine. Shipments of steel and live lobsters sat at Chinese ports with orders not to be unloaded. China was seeking to make an example of our country. And now with the latest issues in Hong Kong, Australians have a creeping and growing anger with the Chinese government.
Excellent piece Isaac. The bottom line is that the hypocrisy of our world never ceases to amaze. China provides: (i) global consumers with inexpensive products, (ii) global corporations with considerable profits, and (iii) governments and NGOs with significant subsidies. So global consumers, corporations and governments/NGOs do not have the will to stand up to China in a meaningful way. Everyone knows what’s going on with Xinjiang’s Uyghur Muslims. It’s no secret. We also know that China emits more CO2 than all the developed world combined https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57018837. But we continue to buy their products, pocket their profits and subsidies, and turn a blind eye to the rest. As with most of life, follow the money.
Thank you for writing this Isaac. It's horrifying to see the institutions like the UN - supposedly set up to prevent another Holocaust - instead make excuses for one. . .
We need to separate our feelings about innocent Chinese citizens from the real policies of the Chinese government. And the governments of the world need to step up and show some leadership here. We can’t make consumers into scapegoats and say “just don’t buy Chinese products” — governments, and corporations, need to put their foot down and we citizens are going to have to live with the fact that it will have consequences to our convenience and ability to purchase certain goods. But human lives are worth it. And it’s not just Muslims that are on the receiving end of human rights abuse. The Chinese government has been rounding up, imprisoning, and torturing underground religious leaders of other faiths for years.
This is not a new story. It has happened before--countless times, and to any number of groups--over and over, throughout all of human history.
Is it different today because it is happening now and therefore we might be able to do something about it? No. There is nothing we can do about it. No practical and effective action that we can reasonably take without unacceptable consequences.
Only they, the Uyghur Muslims, can themselves do something about it.
There's nothing we can do? Tell that to Schindler.
There are plenty of things we can do. As an individual, find alternatives to Chinese goods. Share the information. Ask our country to stop debt funding from China. When you purchase stock, buy stock in non-Chinese companies. Don't use Chinese apps. Support politicians who don't support China.
You are not wrong, Jan. Each of us can, of course, make a personal statement. If enough do so, will it be practical and effective? Or will there be unacceptable consequences?
The US and China have a symbiotic relationship that benefits both (although not, perhaps, equally). I would blame China for 200 million covid deaths worldwide before I would blame them for their mistreatment of Uyghur Muslims. But we can't do either because the consequences would be unacceptable.
Truly horrifying what is going on. I’ve recently started reading more on the subject. Couple resources below if want to read. Difficult reads but absolutely important.
There were rumors of mistreatment of the Uighurs back when I lived in China (2009-2011). Back then, the focus was more on religious sects the CCP was targeting though (mainly Falun Gong). I'm sincerely hoping for increased international pressure on the CCP to change their stances on the Uighurs, climate change/pollution, and the theft of Intellectual Property.
Well, Isaac, it's quite appalling this sort of thing goes on in the 21st century, but oppressors are loathe to give up power and use any excuse to keep it.
We can see this happening in the US.
Separating vaxxed from unvaxxed. Demonizing the latter by blaming them for the spread of Delta variant, which is a lie.
We've heard this numerous times, recently.
Polarization is step 6 to Genocide. Christians mostly gravitate to the Republican Party and won't accept the jabs.
Ever wonder what the need is for the guillotines being stored?
there is so much injustice and cruelty in this world. Yes we can do things as boycotting . With the last 4 years europe did more business with China and it turned away from the US. There is much more to it and it makes me feel helpless, like Syria what's going on with the refugees at the coast of gGeece, Turkey you name
So upsetting. thanks for shedding light on this horrific nightmare. Yes, maybe, we can make a dent by boycotting the winter olympics but it's very hard to find things not made in China. I make a very diligent effort not to buy things made in China but when it comes to electronics, it's near impossible. Keep up the good work. I love reading Tangle.
Australia spoke out against it over a year ago at the same time it requested a thorough investigation into the origins of Covid-19. Since then China slapped dozens of tariffs on our exports from barley to iron ore to, more famously, wine. Shipments of steel and live lobsters sat at Chinese ports with orders not to be unloaded. China was seeking to make an example of our country. And now with the latest issues in Hong Kong, Australians have a creeping and growing anger with the Chinese government.
Excellent piece Isaac. The bottom line is that the hypocrisy of our world never ceases to amaze. China provides: (i) global consumers with inexpensive products, (ii) global corporations with considerable profits, and (iii) governments and NGOs with significant subsidies. So global consumers, corporations and governments/NGOs do not have the will to stand up to China in a meaningful way. Everyone knows what’s going on with Xinjiang’s Uyghur Muslims. It’s no secret. We also know that China emits more CO2 than all the developed world combined https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57018837. But we continue to buy their products, pocket their profits and subsidies, and turn a blind eye to the rest. As with most of life, follow the money.
Thank you for writing this Isaac. It's horrifying to see the institutions like the UN - supposedly set up to prevent another Holocaust - instead make excuses for one. . .
We need to separate our feelings about innocent Chinese citizens from the real policies of the Chinese government. And the governments of the world need to step up and show some leadership here. We can’t make consumers into scapegoats and say “just don’t buy Chinese products” — governments, and corporations, need to put their foot down and we citizens are going to have to live with the fact that it will have consequences to our convenience and ability to purchase certain goods. But human lives are worth it. And it’s not just Muslims that are on the receiving end of human rights abuse. The Chinese government has been rounding up, imprisoning, and torturing underground religious leaders of other faiths for years.
This article is recent and gives a quick view of China/ Australia current relations. https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2021/07/china-australia-america/619544/
And more on Hong Kong
https://apple.news/Aohfy4C_QRrqN59-vAwIJXQ
. If the world does not protect Taiwan, god help us all.
This is not a new story. It has happened before--countless times, and to any number of groups--over and over, throughout all of human history.
Is it different today because it is happening now and therefore we might be able to do something about it? No. There is nothing we can do about it. No practical and effective action that we can reasonably take without unacceptable consequences.
Only they, the Uyghur Muslims, can themselves do something about it.
There's nothing we can do? Tell that to Schindler.
There are plenty of things we can do. As an individual, find alternatives to Chinese goods. Share the information. Ask our country to stop debt funding from China. When you purchase stock, buy stock in non-Chinese companies. Don't use Chinese apps. Support politicians who don't support China.
You are not wrong, Jan. Each of us can, of course, make a personal statement. If enough do so, will it be practical and effective? Or will there be unacceptable consequences?
The US and China have a symbiotic relationship that benefits both (although not, perhaps, equally). I would blame China for 200 million covid deaths worldwide before I would blame them for their mistreatment of Uyghur Muslims. But we can't do either because the consequences would be unacceptable.
Truly horrifying what is going on. I’ve recently started reading more on the subject. Couple resources below if want to read. Difficult reads but absolutely important.
Uighur Human Rights Project https://uhrp.org/
Laogai Research Foundation https://laogairesearch.org/
There were rumors of mistreatment of the Uighurs back when I lived in China (2009-2011). Back then, the focus was more on religious sects the CCP was targeting though (mainly Falun Gong). I'm sincerely hoping for increased international pressure on the CCP to change their stances on the Uighurs, climate change/pollution, and the theft of Intellectual Property.
Well, Isaac, it's quite appalling this sort of thing goes on in the 21st century, but oppressors are loathe to give up power and use any excuse to keep it.
We can see this happening in the US.
Separating vaxxed from unvaxxed. Demonizing the latter by blaming them for the spread of Delta variant, which is a lie.
We've heard this numerous times, recently.
Polarization is step 6 to Genocide. Christians mostly gravitate to the Republican Party and won't accept the jabs.
Ever wonder what the need is for the guillotines being stored?
Thanks for the email, btw.
No edit button?
Thank you Isaac, who will stand up for a minority in any country??? Systemic racism, in our own country, how it happens around the world,
there is so much injustice and cruelty in this world. Yes we can do things as boycotting . With the last 4 years europe did more business with China and it turned away from the US. There is much more to it and it makes me feel helpless, like Syria what's going on with the refugees at the coast of gGeece, Turkey you name
it
So upsetting. thanks for shedding light on this horrific nightmare. Yes, maybe, we can make a dent by boycotting the winter olympics but it's very hard to find things not made in China. I make a very diligent effort not to buy things made in China but when it comes to electronics, it's near impossible. Keep up the good work. I love reading Tangle.