The blah blah we're a bad country and Russia/China are utopian paradises thread

[ism22]

Cheng Lei issues warning for Australians not to be 'naive' when heading to China



Australian journalist Cheng Lei has warned Australians interested in travelling to China to be aware of the risks around national security, but she also did not rule out going back to the nation where she was incarcerated for three years.

...

During Monday night's Q+A, 8,100 people voted in a social media poll on whether they would feel comfortable visiting China. Fifty-five per cent said no.

Asked for her thoughts, Cheng warned Australians to be vigilant of China's expanding national security laws if they chose to visit.

...



"Would people believe me if I said they should [visit]?" Cheng quipped before getting serious and giving her advice to Australians.

"China is a very big country, but the China of now, I think, is different to, say, the China I went to in 2000, and then the subsequent decade," she said.

"I think you have to figure out what to be mindful of.

"Right now I'm super wary of anything purporting to be protecting … national security.

"It's just such a blanket term and I don't want naive people going there. If you are going there, [be] fully educated about the risks."

...

[ism22]

China's draft law banning speech and behaviours that 'harm the feelings' of the country sparks backlash



Proposed changes to a Chinese public security law to criminalise comments, clothing or symbols that "undermine the spirit" or "harm the feelings" of the country have triggered the concern of legal experts, who say the amendments could be used arbitrarily.

The draft changes were first made public last week as part of a mandatory "soliciting opinion" process, as concerns mount about the increasingly authoritarian and nationalistic rule of President Xi Jinping.

The proposal is the first major reform of China's public security law since it came into effect in 2005.

Violations of the law could lead to detainment for up to 15 days and fines up to 5,000 yuan ($1,068), according to the draft law.

The punishment could also apply to those who "smear and deny heroes and martyrs' spirit and deeds" and those who "glorify invasion wars".

This week, several legal scholars and bloggers wrote editorials and social media posts calling for the removal of certain articles in the draft.

...

[ism22]

[Andrew Walker]

I append a brilliant must read for all One which will have the likes of Izzy and Jaxxxxx in a spin

https://johnmenadue.com/is-this-the-...ious-ideology/

[ism22]

I append a brilliant must read for all One which will have the likes of Izzy and Jaxxxxx in a spin

https://johnmenadue.com/is-this-the-...ious-ideology/

[ism22]

Oi look, mad dog's on the decks!!!

[ism22]

Found this while going through my library. A good read/listen IMO

[Random Rooster]

Seems legit! LOL!!!

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...

[ism22]

Seems legit! LOL!!!

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...

Link didn't work for some reason, posting this one incase others are having the same issue... https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...umbers-turnout

> A “patriots only” district election in Hong Kong that barred opposition democrats from the ballot sheet amid a national security crackdown had a record low voter turnout of 27.5% as many voters spurned what was seen as an undemocratic poll.

> The sharp slide in turnout since the last such election in 2019 comes after Beijing imposed a sweeping national security lawthat has been used to clamp down on dissent, and overhauled the electoral system to shut out democrats and other liberals.

> “It can be seen that everyone has begun to feel that the election has no meaning,” said Lemon Wong, one of the few remaining democrats still involved in local politics.

Wonder is old mate Lemon's related to Siua? Should see if they're keen to play a bit of footy.

[Random Rooster]

Alexey Navalny has vanished just three days after Putin announced his intention to run for re-election in the next election. Of course, Navalny would not have been eligible to run, but he would have had plenty to say that would have captivated a large audience in Russia.

Putin is so lucky he could win Lotto, Powerball and Oz Lotto in one night!!!

[mightyrooster]

Alexey Navalny has vanished just three days after Putin announced his intention to run for re-election in the next election. Of course, Navalny would not have been eligible to run, but he would have had plenty to say that would have captivated a large audience in Russia.

Putin is so lucky he could win Lotto, Powerball and Oz Lotto in one night!!!

He just waves that magic wand of his and people just disappear.