China
The Story
Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to get a third term.
Talk to me.
Yesterday, the Chinese Communist Party kicked off its 20th National Congress. The event takes place every five years to determine China’s next leader and who will surround them. By the time it wraps up at the end of the week, leaders are expected to select Xi for an unprecedented third term (since China’s legislature voted in 2018 to get rid of presidential term limits in the country’s constitution). Now, the world is bracing for at least another five years — and likely many more than that — with Xi at the helm.
Remind me what he’s like?
Since Xi seized control of the Communist Party a decade ago, he has changed the country and its position on the international stage. For starters, he made China a more closed, authoritarian, and repressive place. Under Xi's leadership, Hong Kong turned into a police state. China is reportedly committing human rights violations against Uyghur Muslims and other minorities. And the state built up its censorship, propaganda, and surveillance systems, making it harder for Chinese citizens to protest and voice their discontent. And let’s not forget escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait, where China has performed a series of military drills around the island and provoked fears of an invasion. Those moves added to China’s tensions with the West — but it still has a number of diplomatic relations.
Such as?
Russia. A third term could mean more time for Xi to strengthen his relationship with his “best friend,” Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Especially since Xi is now poised to remain in power for the rest of his life — and Putin appears to be pursuing the same.) As for Xi’s support within China, that’s hard to determine, since it’s nearly impossible to speak freely against the Communist Party. His fight against corruption has garnered support, but the country’s “zero-COVID” policy has resulted in a lot of discontent because its rolling lockdowns have slowed the Chinese economy. Meanwhile, the US depends heavily on China by importing billions of dollars worth of goods — from ibuprofen to machinery to toys and sports equipment. But that hasn’t stopped President Biden and Xi from trading threats over an invasion of Taiwan.
theSkimm
Xi’s goal has been to establish China as a global powerhouse. With Xi set to take his third term at 69 years old, China — and the world — could be seeing decades more of him.
And Also...This
Where people are mourning…
Iran. On Saturday, a fire broke out at Tehran’s Evin Prison killing at least eight inmates and injuring a reported 61 others. The prison has been accused by the US of "serious human rights abuses" and is currently holding hundreds of anti-government activists and political prisoners — including at least one Iranian-American. State media says prisoners burned a warehouse of uniforms, sparking the fire. And that there was conflict between inmates and officials. In videos shared online, gunshots and explosions could be heard in the area. The incident comes as the country enters its fifth week of anti-government protests following the death of 22-year-old Masha Amini. But Tehran’s prosecutor claims everything is under control and that it’s unrelated to the nationwide protests. Meanwhile, some say they’re still waiting to hear from loved ones who were inside.
Turkey. On Friday, an explosion at a state-owned coal mine killed at least 41 people and injured more than ten others in a town near the Black Sea. About 110 people were working hundreds of meters below ground at the time of the blast, with 58 able to make it out safely. Prosecutors are investigating, but initial indications show that the explosions may have been caused by a firedamp (when flammable gasses found in coal mines form an explosive mixture). Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited the site and vowed to end “deficiencies or unnecessary risks” in mines. But also said “fate” was to blame. Meanwhile, some wonder if safety measures like monitoring rising heat and dangerous gas levels in mines were ignored in favor of profitability.
Where people are protesting…
France. Yesterday, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Paris to protest rising living costs. Organized by left-wing opponents of French President Emmanuel Macron, the demonstrations come amid a weekslong strike at oil refineries that are causing fuel shortages across the country. Workers at the refineries are calling for higher wages to keep up with inflation and to get a piece of the pie from the huge profits made by energy companies. Next up: protestors are calling for a general strike tomorrow — which could disrupt transportation and prompt some government offices to close.
Who’s making headlines…
These climate activists. On Friday, two fossil fuel protesters threw tomato soup at Vincent van Gogh's “Sunflowers” painting and glued themselves to the wall in London's National Gallery. Earlier this month, the UK gov offered up new North Sea oil and gas exploration licenses. The activists say their goal is to get the gov to end new licensing for the “exploration, development, and production of fossil fuels in the UK.”
What’s got us crossing our fingers...
BioNTech. Yesterday, the company’s co-founders said a vaccine targeting cancer could be available by 2030. Currently in development, the hope is that the vaccine could recognize and attack cancers using mRNA technology — the same breakthrough approach used in some COVID-19 shots.
Who’s taking a break…
Megan Thee Stallion and some BTS members.
What’s got everyone saying ‘you gotta see it to belieb it’...
Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber — together.
Live Smarter
Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes.