China’s Xinjiang region faces new crackdown as officials are investigated for corruption; it’s also under scrutiny for human rights abuses and surveillance.
Guan Heng, a Chinese filmmaker and asylum seeker detained in New York, was granted asylum after a court found him credible and fearing retaliation from China for exposing rights abuses in Xinjiang. His case highlights broader issues of U.S. immigration policy and human rights advocacy.
Ai Weiwei, the Chinese artist and critic, returned to China after over a decade, reliving a momentous visit to see his mother. His trip was smooth, contrasting with his past detention, and he discussed his new book on censorship and surveillance. Guan's asylum case in the US also highlights ongoing human rights issues.
China's new law promotes ethnic unity by mandating Mandarin in education and public life, criminalising separatism, and extending its reach outside borders. It emphasizes social cohesion but raises concerns over minority rights and cultural suppression, especially for Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Mongolians. The law is set to be passed today.
Russia's cattle culling since February, linked to suspected foot-and-mouth disease, has expanded to China, which reports a highly contagious, vaccine-resistant strain entering Xinjiang. Authorities are implementing culling and disinfection measures, raising concerns over potential regional disease spread and concealment of outbreaks.
Ma Xingrui, a senior Chinese official and member of the Central Committee, has been removed from his position amid an investigation into alleged violations. He previously served as Xinjiang party secretary during a period marked by international scrutiny over the region's detention policies. The move follows a broader anti-corruption campaign by Beijing.