Pompeo Leads U.S. Criticism of China’s Election to UN Human Rights Council
On October 13, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo led a chorus of criticism against the United Nations, after countries with poor human rights records were elected to the U.N. Human Rights Council.
On October 13, Pompeo said in a statement: “The UN General Assembly once again elected countries with abhorrent human rights records, including China, Russia, and Cuba. These elections only further validate the U.S. decision to withdraw and use other venues and opportunities to protect and promote universal human rights.”
In June 2018, the United States withdrew from the Human Rights Council before its term expired in 2019, over a lack of reforms within the U.N. body.
Chinese Leaders Advocate Self-Reliance and Frugality
China held a celebration for the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Guangdong Province. During the occasion, China was expected to promote the economic policy initiated by Deng Xiaoping in 1978 to open up China to foreign businesses that wanted to invest in the country. Chinese leader Xi Jinping emphasized self-reliance, while premier Li Keqiang called on governments at all levels to continue to live a frugal life. Li has been advocating frugality since January 2019.
Forty years ago, shortly after China started to adopt economic reforms and policies to open up trade with the West, Chinese authorities approved the establishment of special economic zones in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shantou and Xiamen. Among these four cities, the authorities gave Shenzhen the most special treatment—allocating enormous resources from around the country and issuing special policies in favor of the city to help boost its development. This is because Shenzhen is adjacent to Hong Kong, an icon of capitalism and the free market. Chinese authorities hope to make Shenzhen a landmark able to rival Hong Kong and showcase the success of communism.
Activist Interrogated by Chinese Police for Ordering US Flags Online
According to an insider, on October 6, Chinese activist Huang Yang was summoned to the local police station in Chongqing city for purchasing U.S. flags online.
The insider, surnamed Yang, told The Epoch Times in an interview that “at around 2:00 p.m., Mr. Huang Yang received a call from the domestic security team of Yubei district, Chongqing city.”
Yang said after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he tested positive for COVID-19 on October 2, some residents in Chongqing city wanted to plan an event to show their support.
Huang and a few other people planned a gathering so they could take photos of themselves holding up American flags, and post their well-wishes to Trump on social media. Huang was responsible for placing the online order for the flags, Yang said.
The local police were alarmed and quickly intercepted. They discovered Huang’s plan through monitoring his phone calls. He was summoned to the domestic security team of the local police bureau.
Focus News: China Insider: Chinese Leaders Advocate Self-Reliance and Frugality
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