May 2024
News Brief
Tibet
H.R. 533 Heads to Biden
Resolve Tibet Act (H.R. 533) passed the Senate and headed to the White House. This bill would make it official U.S. policy that Tibetans have the right to self-determination, among other clauses.
Teen Monk Commits Suicide
17-year-old Kunzang Longyang committed suicide after being forced to leave Yulung Monastery and disrobe under a new law prohibiting Tibetan monks younger than 18 from studying and living in monasteries.
Crackdown on Holy Month
Chinese authorities have instructed Tibetans not to engage in religious activities and heightened the presence of police and interrogation stations throughout pilgrimage routes during Tibetan Holy Month Saga Dawa.
Taiwan
Lai Inaugurated
President Lai Ching-te was sworn in as Taiwan’s 5th democratically elected president on May 20. His address emphasized the protection of sovereignty and called on China to cease political and military intimidation.
PLA Military Exercises
Three days after President Lai’s inauguration, China launched a series of joint military drills around Taiwan, stating that these drills “test the ability to jointly seize power, launch joint attacks, and occupy key areas.”
Controversial Bills and the Bluebird Movement
Pushed through the legislature by KMT/TPP lawmakers without proper review, a set of bills that could endanger the country’s democracy sparked massive protests.
Hong Kong
Spy Found Dead
3 people were charged with “foreign interference” after spying for the HK government and targeting exiled activists in Britain. One of them, former British marine Matthew Trickett, was found dead 1 week later.
Hong Kong 47: Trial Update
14 of the 16 “Hong Kong 47” pro-democracy activists who pleaded not guilty were convicted of “conspiracy to commit subversion.” Now, 45 convicted members of the Hong Kong 47 await sentencing.
7 Arrests Under Article 23
HK police arrested 7 people over “seditious” social media posts commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Massacre. One of the arrested is Chow Hang-tung, who led the now-disbanded group that hosted 6/4 vigils.
East Turkestan
+26 Companies On UFLPA List
The US added 26 textile companies based in China to the 39 blacklisted under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, targeting those that source cotton from but are not necessarily based in the “XUAR” (East Turkestan).
College Grad Sentenced
24-year-old Quddusjan Abduweli was sentenced to 5 years and 4 months in prison for “social disturbance” after attending a gathering where his friend’s arrest was discussed, despite claiming to not speak on the matter.
Senate Report Released
A Senate Finance Committee report found that BMW, Volkswagen, and Jaguar Land Rover purchased car parts from Sichuan Jingweida Technology Group, a company blacklisted by UFLPA, despite being notified.
China
Zhang Zhan Released
After being jailed for reporting China’s COVID death toll cover-ups, hospital overcrowding, and harassment of victims, Zhang Zhan was released. Her freedom remains extremely limited as she lives under surveillance.
Xi Unwelcomed in Europe
In his tour of France, Serbia, and Hungary, Xi Jinping discussed trade deals and Ukraine with the countries’ leaders. Outside, he was met with protestors calling for freedom in Tibet and an end to his dictatorship.
China Imposes Economic Sanctions on Guatemala
China rejected shipments from Guatemala a few days after President Arevalo virtually met with President Lai and reaffirmed their diplomatic relations with Taiwan.