International Headlines
Jan 21: Biden Inaugurated
Joe Biden has been inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States during a ceremony at a heavily guarded national capital. In his first speech to the nation as President, Biden proclaimed that “America has to be better.” He immediately issued a flurry of Executive Orders, reversing Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement and ending a travel ban from Muslim-majority countries.
Jan 20: Genocide in Xinjiang
Outgoing US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared on his final day in office that China was committing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang. “We are witnessing the systematic attempt to destroy Uighurs by the Chinese party-state,” Pompeo was quoted as saying. His comments were welcomed by the Uighur exile community. Anthony Blinken, Joe Biden’s nominee to replace Pompeo, referred to the Chinese activity in Xinjiang as genocide in August.
Jan 20: China Builds New Village
China has constructed a new village with 101 homes approximately 4.5km inside Indian territory in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The construction was confirmed by satellite images dated November 1, 2020. Satellite images from August 2019 showed no construction. Arunachal Pradesh is claimed by China as a part of South Tibet. India claims the territory on the basis of the McMahon Line, a border drawn arbitrarily by British Indian officials.
Jan 19: Bitten by Bats
Scientists working at a lab in Wuhan have admitted to being bitten by bats whilst collecting samples in a cave two years ago. A video released in 2019 shows the scientists working in the cave without the required safety equipment recommended by the World Health Organisation when dealing with “live viruses.” One scientist is shown in the video holding a bat with his bare hands.
Jan 13: Climate Dialogue
His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg engaged in a dialogue about climate change on January 9. The Dalai Lama said that Thunberg’s activism gave him “real hope” that the younger generation could bring about positive environmental change. Thunberg urged people to educate themselves about the global processes linked to the climate crisis and spread awareness of the issue. Climate scientists also took part in the livestream.
Jan 11: Forced Apology
Dr Tao Lina, who practices in Shanghai, has been censored after claiming that the Sinopharm vaccine authorised for use in China is “the most unsafe vaccine in the world and has 73 different side effects.” Hours after posting this on Weibo he retracted the comment and apologised to his country for his “imprudent” remarks. Dr Lina initially listed side effects including headaches, high blood pressure and urinary incontinence.
Jan 7: China Weighs in on Tibetan Election
China appears to view the exile Tibetan election as a challenge, but said “It will not affect the Chinese governments policies on Tibet issues.” Shah Jia, a Chinese spokesperson said “China has built comprehensive systems and measures to face any challenge, and will focus on high-quality development of the Tibet Autonomous Region.” Unity is an abiding theme of the exile Tibetan election and its importance is not lost on the Chinese leadership.
Jan 4: Talks Offer Rebuffed
Beijing has rejected the latest offer of talks from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen. The Taiwanese leader had expressed her willingness to hold talks with the Chinese leaders in Beijing “as long as they were willing to put aside confrontation.” A Chinese statement said that Tsai’s government was provoking confrontation by continuing to claim independence. President Tsai was re-elected in a landslide last year after pledging to defend Taiwan’s democracy.
Dec 28: Tibet Policy and Support Act of 2020
President Donald Trump has signed a Coronavirus relief package into law, which included an amendment relating to Tibet, after initially wavering over the lack of substantial financial relief for Americans included in the bill. The bill includes recognition of the right of Tibetans to choose the successor to the XIV Dalai Lama without Chinese interference and calls for the establishment of a US consulate in Lhasa.
Dec 24: Trump Holds Up Covid Relief Bill
United States' President Donald Trump is refusing to sign a Covid-19 relief bill passed by both the House and Senate on the grounds that it doesn’t provide enough financial support for Americans. The bill would provide a $600 check for all Americans, an amount which Trump wants to see increased to $2000. The bill also includes provisions relating to the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Dec 17: Journalists Imprisoned
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has released its annual report finding that China is the leading jailer of journalists worldwide for the second year in a row. China jailed 47 journalists in 2020, 10 more than in second placed Turkey. Chinese journalists are often held in undisclosed locations without charge. Many have been arrested on account of their reporting relating to the outbreak of Covid-19 in Wuhan.
Dec 15: No Bail
Mr Baimadajie Angwang, the New York community affairs officer suspected of spying on the Tibetan community in the city on behalf of the Chinese government, has been denied bail until his trial. Angwang has been accused of working as an unregistered foreign agent, making a false claim for asylum in the United States, wire fraud and obstructing an official proceeding. If convicted he could face 55 years in jail.
Dec 14: Sanctions Failure
The United Kingdom’s latest list of 11 individuals to be sanctioned for committing human rights abuses does not include the senior Chinese official Chen Quanguo, who is responsible for numerous atrocities in the Tibet and Uyghur Autonomous regions. During his time as Communist Party Secretary for the two regions Quanguo has been responsible for mass arrests, unlawful disappearances, the establishment of notorious “re-education” camps and the destruction of monasteries. Chinese officials regularly escape sanction because of the close economic ties between China and the West.
Dec 5: Activists Jailed
Hong Kong democracy activists Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow and Ivan Lam have been jailed for organising and participating in an unauthorised anti-government protest last year outside the city’s police headquarters. Wong, who pleaded guilty at trial, has been sentenced to 13 and a half months behind bars. Chow and Lam will spend 10 and 7 months behind bars respectively. Their protest was a demonstration against excessive force being used by police.
Dec 3: Belt and Road Initiative
India held back its support for China’s Belt and Road Initiative at a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation this week. President Xi Jinping’s signature trade and connectivity program was backed by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India, however, rejected the project on the grounds of a proposed $50 billion trade corridor connecting China with Pakistan through Pakistan occupied Kashmir.