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China Insider

Human Rights, Credit Downgrading, and Hong Kong Elections

Dec 12, 2023
Shane Leary discusses the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in China, Moody's downgrading of China's sovereign credit rating, and the recent district council elections in Hong Kong and the political apathy of voters.
25:39

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The international community needs to address the fundamental sources of human rights abuses in China, such as labor camps and religious suppression, and tie economic engagement to improvements in human rights.
  • Moody's downgrade of China's credit rating from stable to negative reflects the country's crippling debts, local government debt issues, and the current property crises, signaling a more realistic assessment of the Chinese economy's challenges and risks.

Deep dives

Legacy of Human Rights Abuses in China

China's poor human rights record is in stark contrast to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which China does not acknowledge or prioritize. China consistently ranks among the worst in human rights rankings, with low scores in freedom, economic freedom, and press freedom. China also collaborates with other human rights violators like North Korea and Iran. The international community must focus on addressing the fundamental sources of human rights abuses in China, such as labor camps, religious suppression, and institutionalized control. Economic engagement with China should be tied to improvements in human rights.

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