Latest news with #Lai
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
The plight of Jimmy Lai shames us all
Dictatorships use solitary confinement as a form of torture, designed to break the prisoner's spirit. Under international law, 'prolonged solitary confinement' is defined as exceeding 15 days. British citizen and 77 year-old media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai, in jail in Hong Kong, has now exceeded 1,600 days in solitary confinement, yet has committed no crime. He has already served several prison sentences on multiple trumped-up charges, including 13 months for lighting a candle and saying a prayer at a vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. He is currently on trial under Hong Kong's draconian National Security Law, imposed by Beijing in 2020, and could face life imprisonment, simply for standing up for the human rights and democratic principles that China pledged to guarantee when it was handed control of Hong Kong from British rule. The authorities appear determined to drag his trial out for as long as possible. When it started at the end of 2023, it was due to last 30 days. Multiple adjournments have meant that closing submissions will not be heard until August this year and the verdict and sentencing may not come until the end of the year, making it a two-year trial process. This outrageous foot-dragging is designed to test the mental strength of Mr Lai, his family and his legal team. Despite widespread international condemnation, Mr Lai continues to be held in a tiny cell for more than 23 hours a day, deprived of natural light, and permitted less than an hour a day for physical exercise in a confined space. This is dehumanising and brutal treatment more often associated with 'maximum security prisons' for extremely violent offenders, while Mr Lai just lit a candle to commemorate a massacre that China has tried to erase from history, and exercised his freedom of expression by founding and publishing a successful newspaper. He is in jail for journalism, and for his opinions. Mr Lai, who is diabetic, has been denied access to independent medical care, and denied the right to his first choice of legal counsel, when British barrister Tim Owen KC was barred from representing him. His international legal team has received numerous outrageous threats. Even the right to receive Holy Communion has been restricted which, for Mr Lai as a devout Catholic, is a particularly poignant cruelty. Several governments around the world – including the United Kingdom, United States and Australia – have called for his release, as have the Canadian and European Parliaments. Five United Nations Special Rapporteurs – independent experts on freedom of expression, freedom of association, torture, the independence of judges and lawyers, and counter-terrorism and human rights – and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention have expressed concerns about the case. But the key question is what is the British government actually doing to free its citizen? It is not that no one seems to care – plenty of sympathy and support has been expressed for Mr Lai's plight. The fact that both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves have raised the case in their exchanges with China's leaders is welcome. A cross-departmental approach from the Government is the right strategy. But the important question is how was it raised? In passing, as a box-ticking exercise, or in a meaningful way? If Mr Lai dies in jail, what will be the consequences for China's relations with the United Kingdom, and have they been spelled out? It is time to turn sympathy into action, and words into meaningful measures. That is why an open letter to the prime minister last week by 22 former prisoners or relatives of former prisoners from around the world, asking him 'to do everything in your power to bring Jimmy Lai home', is so powerful and significant. Among the signatories are people whose own plight once looked dire. They include Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza and his wife Evgenia, former Iranian prisoner Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and her husband Richard, Chinese-Australian journalist Cheng Lei who was jailed in China, Paul Rusebagina who was imprisoned in Rwanda and the former Soviet dissident For these reasons, they urge the United Kingdom to take urgent steps to secure Mr Lai's release, 'before it is too late'. They call on the prime minister to meet Mr Lai's family as a matter of urgency, and to take 'robust, principled, strategic action'. President Donald Trump has said that Mr Lai's case will be on the table in any US-China trade talks. The United Kingdom must be equally strategic in identifying what leverage it can use to free Mr Lai. It must make it clear to Beijing that Mr Lai's continued imprisonment – and the risk that he might die in jail – is not in the interests of either China or Hong Kong. Not if it wishes to remain a significant business partner. Other countries have been able to secure the release of their citizens from China. Australia worked hard to free Cheng Lai, as did Canada in the case of its citizens Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, and Ireland with the detention of businessman Richard O'Halloran. The United States spares no effort in securing the release of its citizens unjustly imprisoned abroad. Sir Keir Starmer therefore must step up to free Mr Lai. Mr Lai's name must be on the lips of every world leader, every diplomat, every journalist and every Parliamentarian until he is freed. He should never have been arrested in the first place, but after four and a half years of his detention in solitary confinement it is time to say clearly to Beijing: enough is enough. Free Jimmy Lai now. Benedict Rogers is Senior Director of Fortify Rights and a co-founder and trustee of Hong Kong Watch Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. 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Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Inventory Surges in Florida Paradise Destroyed by Hurricane Ian
Nearly three years after being devastated by Hurricane Ian, the idyllic island of Sanibel, Florida, is now facing a surge in housing inventory, which is far outpacing home sales, as owners try to offload their properties to avoid rising costs and future storms. Florida, and especially its coastal cities, has long been among the most popular destinations in the country for American snowbirds and retirees looking forward to spending their golden years on the state's sunny beaches. However, the growing threat of natural disasters, fueled by climate change, and rising housing costs, including home insurance and homeowner association (HOA) fees, are eroding the state's charm, as well as its affordability. In places like Sanibel Island, which owes much of its success to its status as a retirement and vacation haven, the threat of more frequent, destructive extreme weather events and higher home insurance premiums could be profoundly disruptive, shaking the foundations of its economy and weakening its housing markets. Hurricane Ian caused catastrophic damage in Sanibel in September 2022, destroying several sections of the Sanibel Causeway that connects mainland Florida to the island, which is home to approximately 6,500 people year-round. Several homes were hit, and Sanibel residents, like many on Florida's Southwest coast, scrambled to salvage what they could and get back on their feet. "When Hurricane Ian hit, there was not a building on the island that was not impacted by that storm, whether it was by flood or wind. Every single unit or structure on the island was impacted in one way or the other," John Lai, president and CEO of the Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce, told Newsweek. "And then to add insult to that injury, there was our only bridge to the island, heavily damaged in that storm and needing to be restored before we could get cars back over here," he added. That impasse lasted about two months before the Sanibel Causeway was restored-an impressively quick turnaround, but not from the perspective of those waiting for it to be fixed. "That slowed down the infrastructure repair," Lai said. "It slowed down mitigation and insurance accessibility and then obviously slowed down the fact that we needed to get materials to rebuild." "So the restoration process was a little bit longer because of the fact we needed to wait for that bridge to be restored for us to get back over here with vehicles, particularly motor vehicles." It has taken longer than expected for Sanibel to recover, but that process is now well underway, Lai said. More than half of the island's hotels, signature boutique shops, world-class restaurants and attractions have all reopened since 2022. Every structure damaged by the storm had to be rebuilt, Lai said. While this was "burdensome," there is widespread excitement for brand-new buildings rising like phoenixes from the ashes of businesses destroyed by Ian. "We are starting to see now the desirable island that we had pre-Ian, but even better than before," Lai said. "We have completely restored our beaches to their pristine condition as they were before. Our attractions are all open and brand-new and every beach access has reopened here," he added. "From my perspective, we have done very well over the last two and a half years. The causeway was reopened in a surprising five weeks only. The utilities were then reinstalled within a few weeks, including water, sewer, and power. And then the cleanup began," Eric Pfeifer of the Pfeifer Realty Group told Newsweek. "In general, most of the single-family homes were restored within six to 18 months. The condominiums and commercial buildings took longer than the homes due to many insurance claim delays," he said, caused by the difficulties in accessing the island after the hurricane hit. Sanibel's housing market has failed to take notice of the island's stunning recovery. While the median sale price of a home in Sanibel was a staggering $1,410,000 just months before Ian struck, in May 2022, it was $860,000 in April, down 18.1 percent from the previous year and 60 percent from its pandemic peak, according to Redfin data. During the same month, the number of homes sold in the city, 28, had dropped by 36.4 percent compared to a year earlier, and the market was far from competitive, with the typical home spending an average of 110 days on the market before going under contract. Zillow data shows that there were 607 homes for sale in the Sanibel Island market as of April 30, while Bill Robinson, chief executive officer of the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Association of Realtors, said that there were 274 active listings in the city of Sanibel. As of March 31, 96.5 percent of the homes on the market on the island had sold for under their originally listed price, according to Zillow. In part, this is a phenomenon that is taking place across most of the Sunshine State. Inventory is rising because Florida has built more new homes than any other state in the nation over the past few years, and because owners have finally decided that mortgage rates will not significantly fall any time soon, so they might as well put their property on the market now. However, while the state, like the rest of the country, is still experiencing an inventory shortage, buyers are staying on the sidelines because affordability remains strained, with mortgage rates hovering near the 7 percent mark, HOA fees rising, and high home insurance premiums continuing to increase. The result is that, across Florida, inventory increased by 13.8 percent year-over-year in April, with a total of 230,793 homes listed on the market, while sales decreased by 10.9 percent. As a result, prices are falling statewide: the median sale price of a home was $411,200 in April, down 2.9 percent from a year earlier, according to Redfin. "Interest rates and home insurance have played into inventory going up," Robinson told Newsweek. "But then you know, pre-2022, inventory was at a historic low. So it had nowhere to go but up." Sanibel's surge in inventory and drop in sales, however, are nearly three times as high as those reported statewide in Florida. Pfeifer said that this is in part the result of the pandemic-driven homebuying frenzy, rather than the impact of Ian. "As a licensed realtor for 24 years on Sanibel, I suggest we look at the context regarding home values," he said. "The COVID-19 pandemic created the greatest real estate market in the recent past with many customers working from home in their new property in Florida. This excessive demand compared to a normal limited supply increased prices as high as 35 percent over a two and a half-year period. These values were not sustainable," he added. "The prices started leveling off in 2022 due to a normal cycle, and then hurricane Ian happened. That shifted a sellers' market to a buyers' market, which obviously brought prices down," Pfeifer said. "If someone who purchased during the pandemic is choosing to sell now, in a down market, yes, they are losing money. But if we compare values to 2019, pre-pandemic, the values are actually up about 3 percent to 4 percent, annualized." While active inventory is definitely higher than normal, this, too, can be explained by the current housing market dynamics, Pfeifer said. "On average, approximately 215 homes and 160 condos sell on Sanibel each year. During our season in 2024, there were a proportionate number of sales compared to prior years. However, in June through December 2024, the market slowed significantly and we had fewer sales compared to prior years," he said. "Our current inventory comprises those homes that did not sell last year in addition to the homes that would have normally gone on the market this year," he added. "Additionally, based on our demographics, some owners have expedited their plans to move to a retirement facility or move back up north to be near family. And finally, yes, there are listings this year due to the concern of additional storms." Lai said that Sanibel has started seeing the number of tourists to the island pick up again, though the demographics have changed. While the typical visitor used to be in the 65+ age range, Sanibel is now seeing a surge in tourism among Americans aged 45 to 55. "That's something that had not changed in my lifetime before. I've spent 36 years here in Lee County and on Sanibel Island. And as long as I've been here, the 65+ age range has always been the dominant demographic that we've seen here on the island," Lai said. When it comes to attracting people to the island permanently, Sanibel is currently undergoing efforts to make it a more desirable and safe place to live, introducing land development changes that allow for more resilient, elevated buildings and roads. This, in turn, has the potential to lower home insurance premiums-an appealing prospect for homeowners struggling with rising rates. It is unclear how a new bill that would prevent local governments from introducing tougher building codes after a hurricane for the next two years would impact Sanibel. SB 180, which was passed by both the Florida House and the Senate, is currently awaiting a signature from Governor Ron DeSantis. Local real estate agents are optimistic. "The future of Sanibel is extremely bright due to the construction of new homes, new businesses, new restaurants, new condos, and new hotels. Each of these new structures will be built more resilient than before," Pfeifer said. "I personally believe we will feel this change beginning in 2026 and culminating in 2027. Immediately after hurricane Ian, many people told me it would take five years to get back to normal. At that time, I was in denial. However, I think those people were correct," he said. "Hurricane Ian was a major natural disaster. It does take time to heal when you factor in insurance, construction labor and materials, and living on a barrier island. These disasters happen everywhere across the country. Sanibel is a very special place, and people want to live, vacation or move here." The issue with the island's housing market is not strictly a Sanibel issue, Lai said. "It's absolutely a Florida issue," he said. "I think it's somewhat nationwide, but it's a little bit exacerbated in Florida because of the insurance challenges that the coastal communities find themselves in right now." If the state manages to go through this year's hurricane season with little to minimal impact, the island will "absolutely" see its housing market rebound, Lai said. Related Articles Florida Pet Owners Could Go to Jail for 5 Years for Abandoning DogsMiami Airport Reveals Major $600M Improvement PlansSome People in Florida Advised To Stay Inside Amid Warning of Saharan DustFlorida Bill Could See Higher Flood Insurance Costs This Year 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Euronews
2 days ago
- Euronews
The Vespucci promotes Italy on worldwide and Mediterranean tours
After successfully completing an around-the-world voyage, the Italian navy's Amerigo Vespucci is now on a tour of its home country's main ports. The vessel left Genoa on 1 July 2023 and returned to Italy almost two years later, reaching Trieste in March. Once it reached home, it began an 18-stage tour that will finish on 10 June. This journey includes stops in Italy's largest ports as well as others in Durres, Albania, and Valletta, Malta. As with the world tour, the Mediterranean leg will see the ship — which is named after a famous explorer — promote an immersive exhibition called Italy Village. Set up in the ports that the ship visits, the exhibition will tell visitors about the boat's mission, Italian culture and the strength of the sea as a symbol of union. On routes between Brindisi and Reggio Calabria and between Livorno and Genoa, cadets of the First Class of the Naval Academy spent time on the Vespucci as part of their training programme. Young sailors aged between 12 and 17 were also onboard, thanks to a collaboration with the Italian Sailing Federation. Captain Giuseppe Lai personally benefitted from such an experience when he was young. Long before commanding the Vespucci on its second round-the-world voyage, he sailed on it as a student. "At the Naval Academy, the campaign on the Vespucci is done at the end of the first year," he told Euronews. "For me, as for all my classmates, it was the first time we went on a ship and lived life onboard. Going back there as a captain makes you relive some of the same emotions, because it is a ship that has remained crystallised in its aesthetics, almost identical to when it was launched," the captain said. "Seeing the trainees on board today made me go back in time, and it is a strong incentive to pass on to them those lessons that each of us has absorbed in our careers," he added. On its world tour, the Vespucci travelled to 30 countries in 20 months, with over 400,000 visitors coming onboard. "A round-the-world voyage aboard the Vespucci is probably the most beautiful experience a navy commander can have," Lai continued. "In its 94-year history, the ship has only been round the world twice. It is a unique feat, and an enormous privilege: it allows you to discover other cultures and, at the same time, to make Italy known to the world," he said. Built in 1930 in the Regio Cantiere Navale di Castellammare di Stabia shipyard and launched in February 1931, the Vespucci entered service in the Regia Marina a few months later. Ever since, she has trained Italy naval officers and represented Italy in the world. The ship's motto, which is engraved on the stern, is now proverbial: 'Not he who begins but he who perseveres'. The Vespucci is 101-metres long and over 15-metres wide with three masts and 2,635-square metres of sails. The hull is made of steel, the decks of teak and the interior of precious woods. A major modernisation was completed in 2016, equipping it with a new diesel-electric propulsion system. Whenever possible, however, it is still the wind that propels her. At 94-years-old, she is now the Italian navy's longest serving ship. France has signed a cultural partnership with Indonesia, with an emphasis on preserving cultural heritage and the development of human resources. The new pact also includes promotion of cultural products such as films, music and textiles and encourages collaboration between cultural institutions in both countries. "We aim to enhance cultural dialogue between the two nations, particularly by engaging younger generations and contemporary cultural practitioners," said Indonesia's Minister of Culture Fadli Zon. The Franco-Indonesian relations agreement also covers museum development and archival digitisation and serves as "an operational framework to implement the cultural vision" of both countries' leaders, the culture ministry said. Initiatives set to be launched under the agreement include the Indonesia–France Film Lab and the Borobudur Cultural Centre. "Through an inclusive approach, we hope to generate both cultural and economic added value for our nations," Fadli said. The deal was signed as French President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up his state visit to Indonesia, which ended with a tour of Borobudur Temple, one of the world's largest Buddhist monuments, alongside President Prabowo Subianto. Macron, currently on a week-long diplomatic tour of Southeast Asia, arrived in Indonesia with First Lady Brigitte Macron on Tuesday evening, the second stop of his tour after Vietnam. On arrival, Macron had warm words for Indonesia's leader, describing him as a brother and "a great friend of mine". Military cooperation between Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest economy, and France has grown in recent years, starting in 2019 when Subianto became defence minister. Indonesia finalised an order for 42 French Dassault Rafale fighter jets in January 2024, with the first delivery expected in early 2026. The Asian nation also announced the purchase of two French Scorpene Evolved submarines and 13 Thales ground control interception radars. Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin told reporters after welcoming Macron that the visit was aimed at strengthening "defence cooperation between Indonesia and France." Macron ends his tour in Singapore, where he's expected to speak at Asia's top defence conference, the annual Shangri-La Dialogue.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Kinergy Advancement posts impressive Q1 results, thanks to sustainable energy solutions segment
PETALING JAYA: Kinergy Advancement Bhd's net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 increased by 25.8% year-on-year to RM6.25 million compared to RM4.97 million in the same quarter last year. Revenue surged 63.1% year-over-year to RM68.57 million, driven by the performance of its sustainable energy solutions (SES) segment. Earnings per share improved to 0.30 sen from 0.25 sen previously. The SES segment delivered impressive growth, recording revenue of RM34.28 million, a 72.6% increase compared to RM19.86 million in the corresponding quarter last year. SES's operational execution resulted in an operating profit of RM8.46 million, up from RM5.94 million, translating into an operating margin of 24.7%. This performance underscores the segment's recurring revenue strengths and solidifies Kinergy Advancement's market position in sustainable energy solutions including solar, biogas and hydropower. The group's engineering segment continued to provide a steady contribution, recording revenue of RM34.14 million and operating profit of RM1.33 million, ensuring balanced growth and operational diversification. Reflecting strong financial discipline and operational efficiency, Kinergy Advancement generated an operating cash flow of RM8.13 million during the quarter, highlighting its strong cash-generative capabilities and prudent management. The company has a robust order book totalling RM730 million, comprising RM636 million in SES projects and RM94 million in engineering projects. Additionally, its tender pipeline remains strong at about RM3.42 billion, ensuring significant revenue visibility and continued future growth. Kinergy Advancement's strategic growth momentum was further enhanced by securing its largest-ever engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning (EPCC) contract valued at RM646 million. This major contract represents a significant milestone, clearly marking the company's shift from a traditional engineering-focused entity towards becoming a comprehensive independent power producer. Executive deputy chairman and group managing director Datuk Lai Keng Onn said Kinergy Advancement, over nearly three decades, has grown as an engineering-led company, consistently embedding its technical expertise into the energy transformation journey. 'From our roots to our current momentum, the group is confidently scaling towards full-cycle project delivery. We are now entering a new phase, one that builds on sustainable earnings, operational discipline, and end-to-end project execution capabilities. Proudly EPCC tested and execution-ready, we are prepared to deliver at scale. 'Following our sector reclassification, we marked a profitable start to FY25,' he said in a statement. Lai said each project secured is not an isolated success – it serves as a building block in the company's evolution into a comprehensive energy solutions player. 'We are resolute in our aspiration to evolve beyond a one-stop solutions provider, charging ahead to grow into a full-fledged energy player, with a firm trajectory towards becoming a sustainable, diversified, and trusted IPP.' Key strategic projects have notably positioned Kinergy Advancement on its transformational journey, including the acquisition of a 47.5% equity stake in Jati Cakerawala Sdn Bhd, which will lead to the repowering of a 650MW power plant and the exploration of 29 potential renewable energy projects with Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Perak. Additionally, three consecutive contract wins from Petronas Gas Bhd units since 2023 underscore the group's capabilities, which now extend well beyond electrical construction, encompassing the full project lifecycle – rom pre-development planning through to post-commissioning asset and facilities management, including the build-own-operate model for complex infrastructure and sustainable energy projects at scale. With strategic momentum, the group continues to expand its energy portfolio, actively replenish its order book, and capitalise on growth opportunities across Malaysia and the Asean region. These strategic pursuits aim to strengthen KAB's market position and reaffirm its scalability in an increasingly dynamic energy landscape.
Epoch Times
2 days ago
- Epoch Times
Chinese Regime Targets 5 Types of Foreign ‘Spies'
The Chinese communist regime's Ministry of State Security has listed five types of foreign 'spies' and urged the Chinese public to point them out and report them to authorities. Analysts said the regime's move is aimed at shifting public focus away from China's political and economic crises. The ministry published an article titled 'Exposing the Many Faces of Spies' on its official social media account on WeChat on May 25, listing five types of identities that foreign spies would use. The article has been reposted by major Chinese media outlets. The five types include 'detectives who don't investigate, scholars who don't research, businessmen who don't do business, tourists who don't sightsee, and lovers who don't care,' according to the ministry. The ministry defines the 'detectives who don't investigate' as 'those foreign spies who use detective companies and consulting companies as cover' to seek out sensitive information in high-tech fields and military facilities 'under the pretext of verifying information and providing paid consultation.' In recent years, the regime has already cited its Related Stories 1/30/2025 9/12/2024 The ministry described the 'scholars who don't study' as those who frequently visit Chinese universities and research institutes 'under the banner of academic exchanges and scientific research cooperation' to collect sensitive information and core technology. The 'businessmen not doing business' refers to 'foreign spies pretending to be influential businessmen, using the guise of investment and cooperation, and using money and emotional seduction to carry out defection,' according to the ministry. The 'tourists not sightseeing' refers to those 'foreign agents who enter China under the guise of sightseeing, visiting relatives and friends, and conduct surveying and on-site search activities near military facilities and sensitive areas on their own or by inducing Chinese personnel.' As to the 'lovers who don't care,' the ministry said that foreign spies approach Chinese students studying abroad through developing romantic relationships with them or online dating to turn them. In addition to the five categories, the ministry said 'foreign spies may also disguise themselves as journalists, visa officers, non-governmental organization staff, and other identities.' The ministry told the Chinese public to 'be vigilant' and required them to report these so-called foreign spies and 'suspicious activities in a timely manner to state security agencies.' Lai Jianping, a former Beijing lawyer and president of the Canada-based Federation for a Democratic China, told The Epoch Times on May 26 that the Chinese communist regime itself does exactly what they warned in the article around the world. 'The spies [the Chinese regime] sends to all parts of the world are truly omnipresent,' Lai said. The agents working for the Chinese regime include 'those sent from China and those hired locally, both Chinese and Westerners, and they come from all kinds of different professions.' There have been increasing reports of Chinese expats and students stealing information and spying for the Chinese regime in the West, especially in the high-tech sector and around military facilities. 'So, the Chinese authorities think that the whole world, including those democratic countries, is acting the same as the Chinese rogue regime,' he said. Chinese nationals (background 3rd R and 2nd R) and their alleged Philippine accomplices (L and 2nd L), arrested for alleged espionage, are escorted out of a room by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents after a press conference at the NBI office in Manila on Feb. 25, 2025. Ted Aljibe / AFP Lai said the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) suspects everyone coming from outside is a spy and coerces all Chinese citizens to work for the Party to catch the so-called spies in order to maintain its authoritarian rule. He said the purpose of the CCP's Ministry of State Security to publish such an article calling on all Chinese to seek out the so-called foreign spies is to 'isolate China from the world and make Chinese people fall into a state of panic about national security, and inspire everyone to be vigilant and even hate outsiders.' It will produce 'a chilling effect', Lai said, as the spy catching 'will make the Chinese people fall into mutual suspicion, mutual denunciation, and everyone feels that they are in danger.' Police officers patrol outside the Jingxi Hotel in Beijing on July 15, 2024. Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images Reminiscent of Mao's Era The Chinese regime is not really trying to prevent spies, but to create fear in Chinese society, Sheng Xue, vice chair of the Canada-based Federation for a Democratic China and a Chinese-Canadian writer, said of the Chinese ministry's article. 'Because one of the most important principles of the CCP's rule is based on fear, as it's essentially a terrorist rule, they are trying to intensify this fear in society,' she told The Epoch Times on May 26. She said the ministry's article includes journalists, tourists, businessmen, scholars, even foreign lovers, NGOs, and many other groups 'to make people immediately feel hostile, resistant, and vigilant against any foreigner or Chinese returned from the outside world, treating anyone who has any contact with the outside world as an enemy.' 'In Mao Zedong's era, they always did this,' she said. Mao was the Chinese communist leader of China from 1949 until his death in 1976. During Mao's era, the CCP locked down the country, antagonized anything foreign, Western, or democratic, and launched back-to-back mass political movements to purge 'enemies' from within, forcing Chinese people to watch, report, and denounce each other, including between family members. Sheng said that communist China is now very isolated internationally, as its aggressive expansion of political and economic influence has kept other countries on edge. 'The CCP undoubtedly feels such pressure, so they try to bind the Chinese together with it to treat the outside world as an enemy,' she said. Another reason for the spy-catching propaganda now, she said, is that the CCP is trying to shift people's focus from its current political and economic crises. 'The CCP needs to divert attention from the serious internal economic downturn, the people's discontent, social anxiety, youth unemployment, capital outflow, and other problems,' she said. 'So, it constantly uses the so-called national security or the so-called people's safety to set up a target, which is foreign hostile forces, to shift social conflicts outward.' Luo Ya and Xia Song contributed to this report.
