Intelligence Squared Inside China’s Quest for Social Control
May 1, 2023
In this insightful discussion, Josh Chin, Deputy China Bureau Chief for The Wall Street Journal and co-author of 'Surveillance State', delves into China's pervasive use of technology for social control. He highlights the chilling effects of surveillance on the Uyghurs and the extensive implications for human rights. Chin also addresses how Western firms ironically fueled this surveillance system, alongside the complex and often contradictory views of technology as both oppressive and beneficial in urban areas. His insights reveal a troubling global trend in governance.
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Biometric Data Collection in Xinjiang
- Uyghur couple Tahir Hamut and Marhaba had their faces scanned, fingerprints taken, and blood drawn in a police station basement.
- This dehumanizing process highlights the CCP's technological control in Xinjiang.
Technological Control in Xinjiang
- Xinjiang's internment camps are combined with 21st-century surveillance technologies like AI-powered cameras and digital checkpoints.
- This system tracks Uyghurs, categorizes them based on perceived threat, and sends those deemed unsafe to re-education camps.
Ubiquitous Surveillance in Xinjiang
- Uyghurs in Xinjiang faced constant surveillance, including checkpoints, ID and face scans, and phone checks for forbidden content.
- Even seemingly benign actions like having pictures of Turkish movie stars could be flagged as risky.
