Grandmother Queen saves political prisoner Peppa Pig but can she save Yang Hengjun?
Why was Yang Hengjun arrested? TheNew York Times, January 24:
Chinese authorities confirmed that Yang Hengjun, a well-known writer with Australian citizenship, was arrested … although the reason for his detention is still unclear … His writing has been critical of the Chinese government in the past, but he avoided outright opposition to the Communist Party in recent years.
No mystery. John Garnaut tweets, January 23:
Friends of (Yang) said they had told him that none of his calibrated caution mattered: “The intention of his writing is clear — he wanted to educate people about democracy and universal values, and has influenced many young people.”
How the news broke. BBC’s Stephen McDonell tweets January 23:
Now the headlines on @BBCWorld TV: Brexit bla bla bla then #Australia’s writer Yang Hengjun who’s been taken away by state security on a trip to #China but no! Censored! Chinese viewers cannot be trusted with this knowledge! All coverage of Yang case goes to black here today.
Australia turning authoritarian? John Harris, World Socialist Web Site, January 21:
The Australian began the year with an article … warning of Beijing’s growing influence at university campuses. The article … signals that 2019 will be marked by an intensification of a xenophobic anti-Chinese campaign. … This anti-China campaign is a serious warning of the turn towards authoritarian forms of rule aimed at suppressing mass opposition to the escalating drive to war.
Who’s authoritarian? Tracy You, Daily Mail, January 15:
(Female) staff at a Chinese company are forced to crawl on the street after “failing to hit their annual targets” … led by a male supervisor … holding a large flag.
Bob Carr sees no problem. Rick Morton, The Australian, June 3 last year:
Former foreign minister Bob Carr has refused to concede China has interfered … politically in Australia …
John Fitzgerald, Australian Financial Review, November 8 last year:
One of the big questions facing Australia today is whether closer engagement with China inevitably entails sacrificing principles and self-respect. … They are unlikely to discover … (the answer) while Bob Carr goes on behaving as he does.
Birds of a feather? Carr tweets January 21:
Meeting a range of UK political figures here including … Labour’s leader @jeremycorbyn … useful opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest.
Remember Peppa the political prisoner? The Guardian, March 14, 2017:
China has reportedly restricted the publication of foreign children’s picture books — including (Peppa Pig: a pink, snouty enemy of the Chinese state and) the world’s foremost propagandist for muddy puddles …
Peppa gets early release. Angus McNeice, China Daily, January 24:
(Twin) Chinese sisters have landed a dream trip to Buckingham Palace … after their online appeal to (the Queen) … “Hello, grandmother queen,” Mi Ai said in the video, which has been viewed more than 19 million times. “I’m (5½). I can play the piano, I am learning to dance, and I’m learning English” … (The sisters) want to visit … Buckingham Palace, just like Peppa Pig (did for the) wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle … (Film) Peppa Celebrates Chinese New Year (opens soon.)