January 30, 2008 11:12

The Olympics and Dissent: Taping Over the Cracks

Posted by Simon Elegant | Comments (7) | Permalink | Trackbacks (0) | Email This

This is a picture of China's youngest political prisoner, as she has been dubbed evocatively, Hu Qianci, daughter of activists Hu Jia and Zeng Jinyan, about whom we have written often. It's from Zeng's blog (here, though as ever those inside China have to watch out for GFW), which she is still managing to update despite being held under house arrest, something that sounds fairly benign but probably means she has up to six police living in her apartment with her.

A colleague, Jim Yardley of the New York Times, recently went out to try and talk to Zeng in her apartment in a Beijing suburb. Now, in theory, even though her husband has been arrested, she herself hasn't been charged with anything. That means not only is therefore being held illegally, but also that she can accept interviews from foreign journalists whenever she wants. The reality of course is a little different, but even the police must be feeling a little sheepish at the contrivances they are forced to undertake to preserve a fig leaf of legality. I ran into Jim after he came back from her apartment complex (it's called "Bobo Freedom City," something you could't make up without drawing howls of derision). He said the policeman "guarding" her apartment jumped up and started to put up yellow crime scene tape to block their way as soon as they appeared. This was apparently so that they could claim they were trespassing on a crime scene and refuse them access.

It's so absurd it would be funny if it wasn't yet another sign that, despite all its protestations to the contrary, Beijing has decided that the old ways are best; clearly a decision has been made that putting troublesome people like Hu Jia in prison until the Olympics are over is the best way to keep the peace. But it isn't going to be that easy. In Shandong Province, the wife of jailed blind activist Chen Guangcheng, Yuan Weijing, about whom we have also written often, is in a similar position to Zeng Jjinyan. But her guards, as she has put it herself, are mostly of the unemployed-thug type that the local authorities often turn to when intimidation is needed. These guys don't fool around with tape. This was forcibly demonstrated last week when a German TV crew was beaten up --though no one was seriously hurt--after they tried to interview Yuan. The trouble is, as the Games approach, many, many more reporters are going to show up wanting to do the same thing. I don't see how they can keep beating them all up as a deterence without causing a major stink. Also, eventually, someone will get hurt, possibly seriously. Anyway, I m on holiday right now but will certainly see if we can get the police in Beijing to wave their magic tape around us when I return. Stay posted for the video.

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Reader Comments (7)

Wu Di:

Great post! Looking forward to that video!

Posted by Wu Di | February 3, 2008 11:07 PM

Mimi:

I a sort of agree with the Chinese government to have Hu Jia or alike in the police custody for the sake of a perfect Olympic game. There are many people in China who know nothing better than learn from Mia Farrow in order to spoil China’s biggest fun. But, BUT, the timing is totally wrong! The end of July would have been a better time if there were any need of keeping Hu Jia quiet. Why now? Don’t those plain-clothed officers (aka “thugs”) also need to be home to celebrate the Chinese New Year and to have some fun themselves?

Posted by Mimi | February 4, 2008 2:19 PM

Wu Di:

@Mimi: I understand that from the perspective of 'least possible dissent in the name of a truly harmonious Olympics' (arguably, this is the perspective of the Chinese government) it may look like a good idea to silence those with dissenting voices.

From such a perspective (and I'm having some difficulty to accept it, see below), I would actually argue that the timing is not that bad, as the press will not be able to have new pictures or much new information, and thus Hu and Zeng for them may become increasingly irrelevant as the Olympics draw near. By July or August, the "case" may be all but forgotten in people's memories. On the other hand, taking them in at the end of July would come with the danger of creating a gargantuan public outcry and huge press coverage. I'm sure the people responsible have weighed these options with great care!

However, HOWEVER, this is hardly a matter of timing, it's a matter of justice! Do you, does anyone deserve to be silenced for saying critical things?

By the way, Hu and Zeng spoke out openly in support of the Olympics. As far as I can tell, all their actions are geared towards helping the sick (HIV/AIDS) and underprivileged of China to gain a better quality of life. If you ask me, anyone (mostly uninformed, superficial western journalists) who links up Hu/Zeng's critiques to the Beijing Olympics deserves a beating.

And to alleviate your worries: Virtually nobody in China has ever heard of Mia Farrow or any other people who are calling for a ban.

I wonder why...

Posted by Wu Di | February 4, 2008 8:47 PM

Catherine

Wu Di,

I think Mimi is being sarcastic, in a good way, as she often is.

But I couldn't agree with you more about the timing of the arrest. However, don't be despair. If those who are concerned work hard enough, and with the right kind of persuation, the Chinese government may just change her mind before the Olympic Games. As you've correctly pointed out, the case against Hu Jia is rather weak.

Posted by Catherine | February 5, 2008 7:16 AM

John Smith:

Mimi: The timing is perfect, if it is to maximize the suffering of the victims. It is also a way to show the Chinese government that the thugs are very hardworking.

Posted by John Smith | February 5, 2008 11:29 AM

brg8:

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