The article discusses the Chinese government's fear and control tactics, exemplified by the surveillance of Ding Zilin, a mother of a Tiananmen massacre victim and founder of 'Tiananmen Mothers'. It explores the internal insecurities of China's regime despite its outward appearance of strength, and the cynicism and materialism prevalent among its citizens. The article reviews two books that call for an honest examination of China's past, particularly the Great Famine and the Communist rule. It also covers the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, where Liu Xiaobo, a Chinese scholar and dissident, was awarded in absentia due to his imprisonment in China. The article reflects on the Chinese government's expenditure on 'stability maintenance' and the suppression of dissent, as well as the hope and fear among Chinese human rights advocates regarding the future of democracy and human rights in China.

The article discusses the intricacies of U.S.-Taiwan relations in the context of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the U.S., which is officially referred to as a 'transit' due to the complex diplomatic protocols established by the 1972 Sino-U.S. Joint Communiqué. The piece suggests that the U.S. should consider a more definitive stance on Taiwan's government legality, proposing recognition under the concept of 'one country, two governments.' This would not endorse full Taiwanese independence but would deviate from Beijing's 'one China' principle. The article also notes that Beijing's own rhetoric has subtly shifted since the mid-1990s, with certain oppositions to Taiwan's government structure no longer being explicitly mentioned, indicating a potential softening of stance that could be significant given the sensitivity of the issue.

The article discusses the delicate nature of U.S.-Taiwan relations in the context of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the U.S., which is not being termed as a state visit due to the complex diplomatic protocols. The piece reflects on the historical context of the 1972 Sino-U.S. Joint Communiqué negotiated by Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger, highlighting the strategic ambiguity that has characterized the U.S. stance on Taiwan since establishing formal relations with Beijing and severing official ties with Taipei in 1979.

The article discusses the debate over the origins of COVID-19, with some lawmakers pushing for sanctions to determine if the virus leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. The author, a student of Chinese Communist political language, expresses skepticism about the virus originating from bats or a wet market, citing linguistic evidence that suggests Chinese leaders believe the lab was the source. The author references a technique explained by the Chinese writer Wu Zuxiang, which involves reading official Party statements 'upside down' to discern the truth, implying that the official narrative often conceals reality.

The article discusses Ha Jin's novel 'The Woman Back from Moscow,' which is based on the life of Sun Weishi, the adopted daughter of Chinese premier Zhou Enlai. The novel portrays the dark side of China's political elite during the Mao era, including the abuse and manipulation of individuals like Sun Weishi. Ha Jin, a Chinese-American author, uses historical facts and his imagination to bring to life the personal and political dramas of the time. The article also explores the broader context of how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) maintains its legitimacy through a sanitized version of history and how this novel represents a challenge to that narrative. It delves into the culture of the Communist superelite, the political use of sexual misconduct as a weapon, and the suppression of artistic and intellectual freedom. The article suggests that while the novel will likely be banned in China, its truths about the CCP's history and the personal lives of its leaders could resonate with many, especially given the widespread use of virtual private networks to bypass censorship.

The article reviews a biography of Liu Xiaobo, a Nobel Prize-winning Chinese dissident who passed away while in prison. The biography details Liu's life of courage and sacrifice, highlighting his role in the Tiananmen Square protests and his leadership in the Citizen Rights Defense movement. Despite personal contradictions and challenges, including a stutter and a failed marriage, Liu's commitment to social protest and moral self-examination is emphasized. The review notes Liu's humility and his repeated decisions to face the consequences of his activism rather than choosing exile. The book's portrayal of Liu's quest for love, tolerance, and compassion is seen as a significant part of his legacy.

The article by Perry Link reflects on the evolution of Western perceptions of China from the 1960s to the present. Initially, China was seen as a mysterious, almost mythical place, with limited information available to the outside world. Early Western writers who visited China, like Han Suyin and Felix Greene, presented an uplifting but incomplete picture, often missing the harsh realities of life under Mao Zedong. As China opened up, more nuanced and critical reporting emerged, with journalists and scholars gaining better access and understanding. The author discusses his own experiences in China, noting the changes in society and the role of dissident writers. The article also covers the shift in Chinese views of the West, with a growing sense of national pride and rivalry. The author concludes that despite improvements, Western writing on China is still flawed but better than it was six decades ago.

The U.S. Supreme Court has increasingly taken on a role that impacts foreign policy, making decisions that affect immigration, security cooperation, financial risk regulation, and climate change. This shift comes as Congress has largely withdrawn from foreign policy, and the country's polarization has made it difficult to approve new international agreements. The Court's actions, such as blocking President Biden from ending the Title 42 immigration program and limiting the EPA's power to regulate carbon emissions, demonstrate a departure from its traditional deference to the executive branch in foreign affairs. The Court's assertiveness in domestic policy, coupled with an emboldened majority intent on limiting federal government power, suggests a judiciary with a significant global influence. This development poses challenges for U.S. leadership on international issues and could lead to geopolitical inertia due to a combination of congressional paralysis and judicial activism.

The article discusses the diplomatic intricacies of Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the U.S., which is officially referred to as a 'transit' due to the complex U.S.-Taiwan relations established by the 1972 Sino-U.S. Joint Communiqué. The piece suggests that the U.S. should adopt a clearer stance on Taiwan's government legality, proposing recognition under the concept of 'one country, two governments.' This would not endorse Taiwan's independence but would align with the evolving stance of Beijing, which has subtly shifted from its original opposition to such a notion. The article notes that Beijing's rhetoric has omitted opposition to 'one China, two governments' since the mid-1990s, indicating a significant, albeit understated, policy change.

The article consists of a series of letters to the editors regarding Martha Nussbaum's views on the treatment of animals and the ethical considerations involved when human actions benefit one species but harm another. Perry Link questions the philosophical grounds for making such decisions, while Adam S. Wilkins criticizes Nussbaum's premises and her stance on predation. Nussbaum responds by clarifying her position on the issues raised, emphasizing the need to acknowledge moral dilemmas and to strive for a world where such tragic choices are minimized. She also addresses misconceptions about her views, explaining her stance on animal sentience, the human role in animal survival, and the nuanced approach to predation. The exchange highlights the complexity of ethical considerations in human-animal interactions and the importance of ongoing learning and debate in this area.

The article discusses the profound impact of Buddhism from India on China around two thousand years ago, contrasting it with the disruptive influence of British gunboats two hundred years ago. It traces China's obsession with modernization, marked by the frequent use of the term 'new' by Chinese leaders, and critiques the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) policies, which have often sought rapid progress at great cost, such as the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. The author examines the CCP's evolution from an idealistic movement to a self-serving organization, likening it to a 'gangster government' or 'mafia.' The article also explores the role of ideology in the CCP's domestic and international image, the shift from idealism to opportunism within the party, and the rise and fall of the Rights Defense Movement. It concludes with a reflection on the resilience of Chinese humanism despite historical tyrannies and expresses hope that it will outlast the current regime under Xi Jinping.

The article discusses the book 'The Coming Collapse of China' by Gordon G. Chang, published in 2001. Chang, an American lawyer with extensive experience in China, predicted that the corruption and hypocrisy within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) would lead to its downfall. This prediction sparked a debate among China-watchers, with defenders of the CCP dismissing Chang's claims and critics supporting them. Over time, as the CCP remained in power, those who dismissed Chang's prediction felt vindicated, believing that their optimistic view of the CCP's resilience was correct.

The article discusses the shift in the United States' approach towards China, particularly in terms of the Washington establishment's traditional deference to Beijing. It highlights the perspective of Chinese dissidents who have been advocating for a more assertive stance against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The piece suggests that there has been a significant change in the U.S. policy and attitude, which is seen as a positive development by those who oppose the CCP's policies and actions. The article implies that this change has been overdue and is welcomed by advocates for human rights and democratic values in China.

The article discusses the division among Chinese dissidents regarding their support or criticism of former President Donald Trump, particularly in the context of his administration's stance against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Chen Guangcheng, a blind human rights lawyer, praised Trump at the Republican National Convention for standing up to the CCP, while others like Teng Biao criticized Chen's support for Trump. The article explores the reasons why some Chinese dissidents support Trump, citing his administration's actions against the CCP, such as imposing tariffs and challenging China's trade practices. It also examines the historical context of US-China relations, the role of Western intellectuals in perceiving the CCP, and the potential implications for the Biden administration's foreign policy. The article suggests that despite Trump's departure, the rift among Chinese dissidents is likely to continue, and it calls for a more nuanced understanding of the CCP's influence and the importance of standing up to dictatorships.

The article discusses the evolution of protest tactics in Hong Kong and China, particularly in response to the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) strategy of suppressing dissent by targeting organizational leaders. It traces the roots of these tactics to the Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989, which led to a shift in the approach of activists from engaging with the government to focusing on grassroots movements and societal change. The article highlights the role of 'minjian' activism, a term that refers to grassroots, independent movements among the people. It also covers the rise of rights lawyers, the impact of the internet on spreading awareness and mobilizing public opinion, and the emergence of a semi-independent press. The article suggests that these developments have led to a more informed and engaged public, which has been able to exert pressure on local officials and advocate for legal reforms, despite the CCP's continued efforts to control and censor information.

The article reflects on the reasons why the events of June Fourth, commonly known as the Tiananmen Square Massacre, should be remembered even after thirty years. It emphasizes the importance of memory as a form of resistance against the narrative imposed by the Communist Party of China. The author invokes the memory of individuals like Jiang Jielan, Liu Xiaobo, and Ding Zilin to illustrate the human cost of the massacre and the ongoing suppression of the truth by the Chinese government. The article argues that remembering June Fourth is not only a moral duty but also a way to support those who suffered, oppose the government's lies, and advocate for peaceful regime change. It concludes by stating that the impact of such traumatic events on the human psyche is long-lasting and cannot be easily forgotten.

Liu Xia, the widow of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo, spoke publicly for the first time since her exile in Germany at an event in Frankfurt. In a dialogue with Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, moderated and interpreted by Perry Link, Liu Xia discussed her feelings of displacement, her enduring memories of Beijing, and the struggle with her husband's loss. She also touched upon the constraints she faced in China and the unexpected burdens of her newfound freedom in Germany. Ai Weiwei and Liu Xia conversed about the role of art and creativity in their lives, with Ai Weiwei reflecting on the political implications of being an artist in China. The event coincided with an exhibition of Liu Xia's photography at the Galerie Peter Sillem.

The New York Times reviews a series of modern Chinese literature published by Panda/China Books and Periodicals, highlighting the constraints and political considerations involved in selecting works for a foreign audience. The review discusses the divide in Chinese literature between pre- and post-1949 works, noting that the best writers remained with the Communists but their post-revolutionary work often did not match their earlier quality. The review suggests that while some writers may be less accessible to Western readers, they offer valuable insights into Chinese life and thought.