…for those with time to spare.
A ‘reality check’ presentation on how the world’s new amazing almighty superpower is more screwed up than its official line lets on – rural China. Also in the ‘more interesting than it sounds’ category (and indeed in the ‘more screwed up than the official line lets on’ category): an update on Hong Kong’s dolphins.
Not least, a big paper on Beijing’s United Front. Specifically about how the Chinese Communist Party is getting its claws into New Zealand – but applicable to every Western democracy, and other places and milieus as well, including Hong Kong.
An interesting parallel here is with the spread of Wahhabi/Salafi Islamic supremacism in Western countries (let alone elsewhere, like Southeast Asia). Like the CCP’s United Front, the Gulf/Saudi theocratic malevolence systematically exploits Western freedoms to infiltrate diaspora communities and influence broader society and policymaking. Both are aided by Western squeamishness about recognizing ethnic/religious-based threats.
The CCP, at least, is possibly over-reaching itself.
Meanwhile, deep down in the freezing pit of Hell – Maria Cordero mooncakes…
A bit unfair on Maria – as a singer she reminds me of a foghorn, but she can cook. Perhaps you’d prefer Nigella Lawson mooncakes? (Now there’s an interesting marketing idea…)
Count the cronies!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxwFWYC2lb0&feature=youtu.be
Belt and Road!!!! Rule of Law!!!!!
What’s not to LOVE????
excellent NZ paper … much to site to the Westerners … we got Trump over here wishing this was CPC’s China, with all those great rules …