Stories about China from January, 2016
Are You Scanning Me, or Am I Scanning You? The Power Dynamics of China's WeChat

"Our phones have become extensions of our social and physical selves. When these devices touch, it’s an intimate gesture with the ability to convey identity, power, and intention."
Chinese Netizens Climb Over the Great Firewall to Go After Advocates of Taiwanese Independence
A mainland Chinese netizens’ movement aimed at silencing pro-independence Taiwanese "through civilized methods” has become a humourous emoji battle and a tech lesson in scaling the Great Firewall of China.
The Ever-Blurring Line Between Entertainment and Politics in China and Taiwan
A teenage K-pop performer's apology for waving a Republic of China flag—interpreted as supporting Taiwanese independence—recently went viral.
China Is Blocking Circumvention Tools With Help of Cloud Service Providers

Experts estimate that between 1% and 3% of China's internet users are using circumvention tool to visit overseas websites. But this could change with new restrictions.
Taiwan Welcomes First Woman to Be Elected President
Taiwan has elected its first female president, Tsai Ing-wen, an opposition candidate who won 56.12 percent of the popular vote (almost 7 million ballots), soundly defeating her rivals.
Hong Kong's Government Is Walking All Over Chinese Dolphins—Literally and Figuratively
"You don't want the real one and kill them all. Then you step on the fake one and take a photo while laughing. What kind of mentality is this?"
Hong Kongers Fear That Their City's Autonomy From China Might Be Next to Disappear
"I mean, maybe one day we will be taken away just because we are not happy about the political system."
A Live Surgery Draws Attention to Black Lung Disease in China
A black lung patient prepared a coffin for himself after ten years of languishing with the disease before receiving a lung transplant watched online by millions.
‘Orwellian Dystopia’ or Trustworthy Nation? Get the Facts on China's Social Credit System

Combining individuals' financial records, online shopping data, social media behaviors and employment history, China will now produce a combined "social credit" score for each citizen.
Chinese Netizens Want Their Government to Take a Hard Line on North Korea's Nuclear Testing
"The heavenly kingdom is still protecting this thug. We should be ashamed that the heavenly kingdom is still protecting this thug"
Street Art Urges Hong Kongers Not to Turn a Blind Eye to Missing Booksellers
“We cannot and should not turn a blind eye to this. Normal daily life is not normal any more.”
Hong Kong Bookseller's Disappearance Stokes Fears of Cross-Border Kidnaps by Mainland Chinese Police
"Hong Kong residents can be taken away by non-local law enforcers and the government will not protect you."