Rampant Official Insecurity

China's War on Words

Anything used to insult Xi Jinping, banned

Jamie Seidel
NZ Herald


China's new President-for-life doesn't like criticism.  Since claiming the eternal throne of an Emperor earlier this week, he's clamped down — hard — on any hint of dissent.  Censorship has always been a way of life under China's one party state, reports News.com.au.  But things have just ramped up to a whole new level.

Authoritarian Rule is Being Established.

Earlier this week the Communist Party Council announced (a day before it actually met) that the limit of two five-year presidential terms will be abolished and Xi Jinping's guiding philosophy would be written into the constitution.  Immediately, Beijing's censors set to work.  They've attacked the very words people would need to use to express discontent.

Chinese Stupidity

Petulant Immaturity; Fundamental Insecurity

At times the Chinese government seems dumber than a sackful of hammers.  It acts like a teenager unable to face up to the rigours of adult life.  The Chinese state appears fundamentally insecure.

A case has hit the headlines in New Zealand over recent days in which an academic has reported suspicious behaviour, including the theft of a computer used in her research work.  University of Canterbury Professor, Anne-Marie Brady gave evidence to the Australian Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee in Canberra about the "dirty tricks".

Brady gained international profile in September after publishing research detailing the extent of China's influence campaigns in New Zealand focusing on a nexus of political donations, appointment of directorships and information management.  Brady told the Australian parliament her office on campus was broken into in December, and last week her home was burgled - with computers, phones and USB storage devices stolen with other obvious valuables ignored by thieves.  The latter event was preceded by an anonymous letter detailing push-back against those not toeing the official line out of Beijing and warning: "You are next."  [NZ Herald]

For our money sunlight is the best disinfectant against this kind of idiocy by the Chinese Government--idiocy which by any measure shows up its fundamental insecurity.  It is acting like a neurotic, immature teenager.  The NZ Police, meanwhile, are investigating.