Today is Qiao Collective’s one year anniversary! We can’t believe it’s been one year since we launched Qiao with little more than a web domain, a Twitter handle, and a belief that the Anglophone sphere needed a voice challenging Western aggression on China with socialist critique, international solidarity, and human compassion.
When we launched on January 17, 2020, little did we know that the cluster of novel coronavirus cases first documented in Wuhan would lead to a global pandemic in which Western elites would use China-bashing to diffuse public discontent with a pandemic response stunted by capitalism, corporate rule, and liberal individualism. 2020 has been a historic year, from the Trump administration’s declaration of the “end of normal relations” with China, to the unilateral assassination of Iran’s Qassem Solemaini, to mass movements confronting endemic antiblackness in the U.S. and beyond.
Through it all, we’ve been proud to offer a voice from our position as Chinese diaspora committed to anti-colonial, internationalist struggle in all the places we call home. We’re honored to be part of a growing movement challenging the new Cold War on China and insisting that “China is not our enemy,” no matter what hysterical Pentagon budgets have to say about the “China threat.”
Your incredible support is what keeps us going. In just one year, we’ve grown to over 33k followers on Twitter, amassed more than 250,000 website hits, and compiled volunteer translations of our work in more than eight languages. We can’t wait to see what we can do in 2021. If you’re as excited as we are, consider chipping in to our Patreon. We are an all-volunteer media collective and these financial contributions help us to sustain our work and cover the costs of staying up and running.
Cheers to one year, and here’s a roundup of our latest:
The recent Capitol Hill mobs have reignited an anxious international debate about the nature and function of U.S. democracy. As Democrats and Republicans alike struggle to disavow the attempted fascist coup as an anomaly more appropriate to the Global South than “here,” Qiao takes a look at the profound entanglement between fascism, anti-communism, and U.S. imperialism.
We have been consistently misled by fascism’s nationalistic trappings. We have failed to understand its basically international character...One of the most definite characteristics of fascism is its international quality.
—George Jackson, Blood In My Eye
As we prepare for the incoming term of President-elect Joe Biden, over 380 anti-China bills await approval in Congress, in addition to 14 individual and state lawsuits against China for over 30 trillion USD in “Covid damages.” Despite widespread relief at Trump’s defeat, fundamental U.S. economic and military policies remain unchanged, ensuring that the current U.S. economic and informational war against China will continue at full steam under Biden.
What does our critique of China do, at a time of unprecedented U.S. military aggression against China and Chinese people? Qiao uncovers the bad-faith logic of “standing with the Chinese people, not the Chinese government,” exploring how it greases the wheel for imperialist intervention under the auspices of a “new” Cold War.
In Other News—Excerpts from Dongsheng Collective’s monthly current affairs newsletter
China suspends Ant Group's initial public offering (US $39.67 billion) – the largest in history – due to new financial regulations
Government proposal for stricter rules could force Ant to restructure its app-based microlending business model – 40% of its revenues in the first half-year – and delay new IPO by months
Financial Times, 5.11.2020
South China Morning Post, 3.11.2020 (No.25)
Government releases report on developments in employment, labor rights, income and education in Xinjiang from 2014-2019
Employment increased 17.2% (to 13.3 million) and per capita disposable income increased by about 50% (US $5,125 urban, US $1,935 rural); 453,800 students are enrolled in university (up 47.5%)
Global Times, 17.09.2020
Complete report (No.19)
China meets poverty alleviation target in 2020 with 80 million people from 832 impoverished counties taken out of poverty since 2013
Goal was reached through various methods, including job creation, access to education, health, social security, housing and income transfer; Chinese poverty line in PPP is US $2.30/day (World Bank US $1.90)
CGTN, 23.11.2020 (No.28)
Developing countries, mostly in Asia, will account for 95% of global growth in 2020-2021 and China for 51%, according to the IMF
GDP of advanced economies in 2021 is expected to fall 3.6% below 2019 level; US attempt to isolate China from global trade could have serious consequences for US and developing countries
Asia Times, 08.10.2020 (No.22)
China participates in global Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) as lender of US $28 billion, maturing in 2020
According to a study, China has never seized assets from debtor countries and has already agreed to renegotiate ¼ (US $94 billion) of its total loans; current largest beneficiaries are Venezuela, Pakistan and Angola (US $19, 14 and 6.2 billion, respectively)
Rhodium Group, 08.10.2020
Global Times, 13.10.2020 (No.22)
15 Asia-Pacific countries sign the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world's largest free trade agreement
New trade bloc represents ⅓ of the global population (2.26 billion) and GDP (US $26 trillion), lowers trade tariffs, eases restrictions on investment and travel and is seen as a victory for Chinese diplomacy
Global Times, 16.11.2020
South China Morning Post, 15.11.2020 (No.27)
What We’re Watching—cultural excerpts keeping us sane
Narrative:
A Little Reunion (2019). A sprawling epic following the lives of three unconventional families in Beijing dealing with the gaokao (college entrance exams). This widely-lauded show made us cry, laugh, and miss family CCTV-time. The entire series is available on Youtube (with English subtitles).
Documentary:
76 Days (2021). Following the COVID-19 crisis in Wuhan in real time, this documentary by Chinese American filmmaker Hao Wu offers an honest, heartrending look at the day-to-day life of frontline workers and city residents during Wuhan’s 76 day lockdown. A raw take on the pandemic’s toll in China, this film left us reflecting on the triumph of socialist medicine. Available via virtual cinema (U.S. only)
Long Time No See, Wuhan (2020). A heartwarming documentary by Japanese director Takeuchi Ryo that details the heartbreaks and successes of 10 Wuhan families during and after the pandemic. A love letter to the city, this film left us hopeful about the resilience of Wuhan people. Available on Youtube (with English subtitles).
China’s War on Poverty (2020). This joint U.S.-China production follows Robert Lawrence Kuhn as he travels to China’s remote rural regions to learn how the CPC implements its “targeted poverty alleviation” policy. While PBS was pressured to drop its distribution of the film, it is now available on Youtube (English-language production)
Game:
Jiangnan Canal Towns. This mobile game, released in July 2020, is a historical urban-planning simulation where you build up canal towns across China. Drawn in imitation of classical Chinese painting styles, it features various Chinese characters from literature and history, and has become a surprising way for us to learn more about the Ming Dynasty. Available on the app store.