February 2024
News Brief
Tibet
1000+ Arrests
On February 23, 1000+ Tibetans were arrested in Dege, Kham for peacefully protesting the construction of a dam that would destroy several monasteries and displace at least 10,000 people.
Tibet Freedom Ranking Drops to Zero
Freedom House ranked Tibet a freedom score of 0 out of 100, marking Tibet’s lowest score ever. For the last three consecutive years, Tibet was ranked the least free place on earth tied with Syria.
Resolve Tibet Act
Resolve Tibet Act (H.R. 533) passed the House and now heads to the Senate. This bill would make it official U.S. policy that Tibetans have the right to self-determination, among other clauses.
Taiwan
Congressional Delegation
Rep. Gallagher led a U.S. Congressional delegation of five congressmen (all members of the House Select Committee on the CCP) to Taiwan.
Maritime Dispute
An unregistered Chinese speedboat operating in Taiwan’s “prohibited” waters near Kinmen Island capsized when attempting to flee a coast guard vessel, resulting in two fatalities.
Tuvalu Recognition
Tuvalu’s new government reaffirmed that it would continue to formally recognize Taiwan after a national election in January.
Hong Kong
Article 23 Legislation
The Hong Kong government has pushed the new national security bill to the legislature. Article 23 targets crimes including treason, espionage, sabotage, sedition and external interference, and will have extraterritorials effects outside of Hong Kong.
3rd Anniversary of “47 Democrats” Mass Arrests
Three years after their prosecution in a landmark national security case, the 47 advocates arrested and charged under the security law with “conspiracy to commit subversion” are still waiting to learn their fate
Police Chief: 2,000 New CCTV Cameras ‘Not Enough’
The 2,000 new security cameras to be installed by the end of 2024 are “not enough” and may be equipped with facial recognition functions, said the city’s police chief.
East Turkestan
EU: Forced Labor Import Ban on the Horizon
The European Union (EU) passed a provisional agreement to ban products manufactured using forced labor by detained Uyghurs in China.
UN Says China Violating Humans Rights in “Xinjiang”
U.N. Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on March 4 said China was violating fundamental rights in the “Xinjiang” and Tibet regions, calling on Beijing to change course.
6 Detained in Turkey for Spying on Uyghurs
Turkish authorities have detained six people suspected of spying on Uyghurs in Turkey for China’s intelligence service. Another suspect is being pursued by police.
China
U.S. Barrs Data Flows
A new U.S. executive order barrs genomic data transfers (and bulk transfers of Americans’ geolocation, biometric, health and financial info) to China and other “countries of concern.”
“Work Secrets”
China has widened the scope of Beijing’s state secrets law for the first time since 2010, requiring government agencies to protect information “that are not state secrets but will cause certain adverse effects if leaked.”
Apple Falls, Huawei Rises
Apple iPhones sales in China fell 24% during the first six weeks of 2024, while Huawei’s skyrocketed 64%.