Zero-Covid Protests Erupt in China

Police in hazmat suits beat protesting workers in Zhengzhou

There are tremors that are becoming more agitated in the Middle Kingdom thanks to Xi Jinping's insistence on zero-Covid.

In the last two days videos have been posted on Twitter showing workers at a Foxconn factory in Zhengzhou, Henan province. There are scenes of them armed with metal sticks clashing with "dabai" or police in white hazmat suits with riot shields, and the workers are for the most part holding the line.

The workers are protesting the working conditions and pay in the biggest factory that makes iPhones.

Foxconn workers protesting pay and conditions

Last month there was the threat of a lockdown in the factory because of a Covid-19 infection and many workers fled with suitcases, literally walking hundreds of kilometres to get home. They could not take public transport because their phones would have a warning of a possible infection.

The Taiwanese factory then tried to hire more workers, but apparently the new ones found their pay was changed when they got there. One worker, Li Sanshan said he was lured by 25,000 yuan (US$3,500) for two months' of work. But when he got to the factory, he found out they would have to work an additional two months to get the 25,000 yuan.

"Foxconn released very tempting recruiting offers, and workers from all parts of the country came, only to find they were made fools of," Li said.

The company claimed it was a "technical error" and offered an apology. But Foxconn is now struggling to fill iPhone14 orders.

Chinese shocked to see maskless football fans

Meanwhile the World Cup has kicked off in Qatar, and despite its reprehensible treatment of migrant workers, banning homosexual acts and sexist treatment of women, it has allowed the thousands of football fans in the stadiums to watch the matches without masks.

When the Chinese turned on their televisions or phones to watch the matches, they were shocked -- shocked -- to see no one masked up.

"Some people are watching World Cup matches in person with no masks, some have been locked at home for a month, locked on campus for two months without even being able to step out the door," a Guangdong-based user on Weibo wrote on Wednesday.

"Who has stolen my life? I won't say."

Another Weibo user from Shaanxi province said they were "disappointed" in their country.

Chinese wonder if China on same planet as Qatar

"The World Cup has allowed most Chinese people to see the real situation abroad, and worry about the economy of the motherland, and their own youth," the user wrote.

Another questioned China's zero-Covid policy and if China was "on the same planet" as Qatar on the Weibo platform before it was censored. 

The World Cup matches are broadcast on state broadcaster CCTV, which also gives a lot of negative information about the rest of the world, claiming they are struggling with the virus. 

Now the Chinese feel like they are made fools of too...

China Issues Threats Ahead of Pelosi in Taiwan

Pelosi met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee in first stop

While House Speaker Nancy Pelosi did not announce she would visit Taiwan during her Asian tour, it looks very likely she will be touching down Tuesday evening, then meet President Tsai Ing-wen in the morning, and afterwards address parliament.

Naturally China is enraged like a tiger pacing in its cage and spewing threats in speeches and social media through its network of diplomats.

Pelosi expected to meet President Tsai 

Beijing has threatened to fire missiles into the Taiwan Strait, send military planes into Taiwan's air defense zone, or stage large-scale naval or air activities that cross traditional lines.

"We would like to tell the United States once again that China is standing by, the Chinese People's Liberation Army will never sit idly by, and China will take resolute response and strong countermeasures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," said Zhao Lijian, a Foreign Ministry spokesman during a media briefing. "As for what measures, if she dares to go, then let's wait and see."

Well... with Pelosi's visit pretty much confirmed, the ball seems to be in Beijing's court. 

With all the bellicose threats, China has metaphorically painted itself into a corner unless it really does follow through on its words.

There are other reasons to consider why Beijing is so upset over Pelosi's possible visit.

Shanghai completely deserted during lockdown

The domestic situation in China with the zero-Covid policy has irritated and frustrated residents all over the country with the extreme lockdowns, non-stop testing, food shortages and pets beaten and killed if they are infected. 

Shutting down cities like Shanghai for 80 days has cause the country's economy to come to a screeching halt, and tens of thousands of people have lost jobs, while the rich and expats are trying to leave the country. 

There's also an alleged bank scam in Henan province, where account holders were protesting in front of the bank to be able to withdraw money since mid April. It has caused a crisis in confidence in state-owned banks and is still not resolved.

So one can imagine why some sabre rattling against Pelosi would make for a nice distraction from domestic woes.

Henan bank scam led to hundreds protesting

But will the average laobaixing care when they are more concerned about not catching Covid, having enough to eat, or be able to get their money?

Daily necessities are more pressing than geopolitical issues.

On the flip side, the Taiwanese don't seem to care much about the verbal threats from the People's Republic either.

They seem used to these kinds of war of words and are just carrying on with their daily lives, again Covid is more of a priority than Pelosi's visit.

On social media people are suggesting what she should do while in Taipei, including tucking into beef noodles and drinking bubble tea...

China Health Codes Come to HK

The dreaded LeaveHomeSafe app now includes health codes

People in Hong Kong hate the LeaveHomeSafe app. 

Users have to upload their vaccination records on it -- and those who still haven't been vaccinated aren't able to enter any restaurant to dine in, cut their hair, go to the pub and so on. They can only order takeout. And there are a lot of people in this category.

When the app first came out there were concerns it would be modelled similar to the Chinese health code, where when it shows a green colour, the person has not been infected and allowed to move around the city as they please; yellow means a person may be asked to stay home for seven days; and red is a two-week quarantine.

Only yellow and red health codes will be used

In China people have no choice but to use this app if they want to get around the city and do the most basic things like buy groceries, banking and work.

There were concerns the government could abuse this health code and that happened recently in Zhengzhou, the provincial capital of Henan province in central China.

Protesters occupied the front of a state-owned bank as they were unable to access their accounts since mid April. In a bid to try to control these people, the authorities turned the protesters' health codes red so they were unable to gather at the bank and instead were sent off to quarantine.

A few days later Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau announced Hong Kong was mulling the possibility of adopting the mainland's health code system, and now Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has given a few more details.

Apparently the health code in Hong Kong will only feature yellow and red, yellow for all incoming passengers, while red means the person is infected and must stay home or go to the hospital for treatment. 

Lo announced the possible move a few days ago

When the media asked about the Henan situation where the health code was abused, Lee replied the government will tackle "misinformation".

"We will make sure that we'll well-explain the scope and the method so that people understand why we do it, what benefits they gain, and what are the concerns they do not have to really bother, because there may be some misinformation, which we need to address very quickly so that everybody knows what we are doing," he said.

Better yet he said the health code would only affect a small number of people...

Where have we heard that before?

But it will affect a lot of people because over half the Hong Kong population is believed to have had Covid-19 at some point, and/or they know people who were infected with the virus.

In addition, those who are infected with Covid-19 will have to wear an electronic bracelet when they undergo home quarantine to ensure they don't leave to go out during the isolation period.

"We have to make sure that home isolation is more precise while being humane," Lo said, announcing the new requirement would begin on Monday.

If someone breaches the mandatory home isolation order, the perpetrator could pay a fine of up to HK$25,000 (US$3,200) and up to six months in jail.

Not even two weeks into Lee's new position and already the mainlandisation of Hong Kong is happening even faster under the guise of the pandemic...