It’s been a weird few days in Beijing. I still believe that the calls for a Jasmine Revolution in China are mostly wishful tweeting, but neither have I been surprised by the government’s security minders wildly overreacting to the whole situation.
The Internet has been hit or miss all week, even by the usual standards. VPN services are harder to access and Linked In has now apparently joined Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube as the latest in a long list of overseas social media sites declared verboten by the CCP Net Ninnies. Linked In is now working in Beijing which I think says more about Linked In’s irrelevancy as it does about the the government’s tolerance.
And just in case that wasn’t sufficient, there’s always the old school approach as reported by Tom Lasseter on his blog:
But in addition to cyber tactics, the Chinese government has also apparently resorted to simpler measures: rows of trees in front of part of the Wangfujing McDonald’s, and a new construction site stretching down the street. Signs say the road is being repaired, though there’s not much evidence of that happening yet.
(For pictures, see this post by Beijing-based French journo Jordan Pouille)
Tom Lasseter’s blog is now BLOCKED, but thanks for the link anyway…
Perhaps the PSB is being sponsored by KFC.
As an aside, when/where does this all of this shit end? Really? I’ve been here for nine years now. When do we all throw in the towel and say “enough.” Serious question.
I honestly feel we “foreigners” are all enabling a mighty sketchy group of folks at this point in time.
It’s getting rather farcical it seems.
I don’t think abandoning the ship is the right approach. I think that by being here we are one very small part of a larger conversation by which more and more Chinese are starting to understand about the world and the world is starting to understand more about China.
Hi! Saw your post on the Atlantic. Nice job.
Thanks!
hahaha, I like the “old school approach”. Next step：Wangfujing street is moved to somewhere south of Beijing; the pedestrian area is now call Wenfuqin 温父亲。
I’ll let him know.
When you asked “where’s the story here” in Wangfujing today in your article for The Atlantic, You totally forgot Western reporters could make story too.
Considering there were 50 times more foreign media stuffs than the losers there and together with even more foreign immigrant workers in town and you are also so eager to see a revolution or, I’d call it non-revolution, you could actually organize one of your own, led by your beloved Uhta redneck Huntsman, to realize your day-dream. Why not, if almost nobody show up last weekend except few oily haired whining losers or lazy-bone beggar who wasted their live in last 32 years.
Interesting that although there were only lot of West media there, almost all of them only reported the dissent in China but keep silent on how great the majority is. I’d love to call it free flow of information or freedom of speech, if not Freedom-Fry.
I guess Americans would be thrilled if they had a 10% GDP making government, not to mention for 32 years. That’s why they are pretty sure a noble-sounding colour revolution is the last mean to slow China down and stop China from growing and overtaking USA. All Chinese know this is ugly cowboy trick, no matter how much US always try to show to be nicer to Chinese than their government and fat capitalist could better represent proletarians than communist.
Believe me one thing: If there were any so-called colour revolution by the few Chinese lazy-bones who US called as protesters, there would be a much much stronger demonstration supporting government by hard working Chinese middle class who will chase the losers down into the dark hutongs. Go check PEW 2010 report showing there are more middle-class in China than USA’s on PPP term and 87% Chinese support government, you will become smarter.
Yep, these are my readers.