China

A popular series on the Chinese version of TikTok, titled “Escape from the British Museum,” is set to be transformed into an animated film, drawing inspiration from a jade teapot that magically transforms into a woman and embarks on a daring escape from the British Museum with the help of a Chinese journalist. The series has gained immense popularity, amassing 370 million views on Douyin. The film aims to recount the story of Chinese cultural relics residing in the British Museum and spark a conversation on repatriation, although the British Museum has stated that none of the stolen items are of Chinese origin and has not received any official request for their return. Chinese social media users have expressed varied opinions on the matter, with some blaming the Chinese government and others highlighting the destruction of artifacts during the Cultural Revolution.

Beijing has requested personal details of locally hired staff from foreign consulates in Hong Kong, aligning the city’s rules with those on the mainland. The purpose of these new rules has not been specified, raising concerns about privacy and the impact on foreign missions’ operations. The United Kingdom expressed concerns about the erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong, while the Chinese foreign ministry criticized the UK’s report as “fallacious.” Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.

China has requested foreign consulates in Hong Kong to submit personal details of their local staff members, raising concerns about privacy and human rights. The request applies to all consulates, permanent or non-permanent, and failure to comply may have repercussions. The implications for the privacy and safety of consulate staff members are significant, and international observers may scrutinize China’s motives behind the request. The situation will be closely monitored by those concerned with privacy rights and the relationship between China and the international community.

Several staff members of Evergrande’s wealth management unit have been detained by police in Shenzhen, China.

Several employees at Evergrande Wealth Management, a subsidiary of Evergrande, have been arrested by Chinese police, although the exact number of employees arrested and the charges against them have not been specified.

Prominent Uyghur academic Rahile Dawut has been sentenced to life imprisonment by China for “endangering state security.”

Renowned Uyghur professor Rahile Dawut has been sentenced to life imprisonment by Chinese authorities on charges of endangering state security, following her unsuccessful appeal against a previous conviction for promoting “splittism.” The Dui Hua Foundation, a US-based human rights group, is seeking further information about Dawut’s location, health, and communication with her family. The foundation’s executive director, John Kamm, has demanded her immediate release, describing her sentencing as a tragedy and loss for the Uyghur people and academic freedom. This case highlights the concerns over China’s treatment of Uyghur intellectuals, as over 300 have been detained since 2016, while an estimated 1.5 million Uyghur people are reportedly held in “re-education” camps. Numerous prestigious institutions, including Harvard and Cambridge, have joined the appeal for Dawut’s release, emphasizing the importance of academic freedom. Dawut’s daughter has also made a plea to the Chinese government for her mother’s release, adding to the growing international calls for transparency, respect for human rights, and the release of unjustly detained individuals.

Dozens of crocodiles have escaped from a breeding farm in Maoming, Guangdong province, southern China, due to flooding caused by Typhoon Haikui.

Over 70 crocodiles have escaped from a commercial farm in Maoming, China, due to heavy rainfall and flooding caused by a typhoon, prompting urgent warnings to nearby villagers and efforts to recapture the reptiles.

The arrest of two people in the UK for allegedly spying for China has garnered significant attention in British news, while state-controlled media in China has given minimal coverage to the story.