News Headlines, English News, Today Headlines, Top Stories | Arth Parkash

Proposed legislation to protect "Chinese spirit"

The Chinese government is considering a law that would ban clothing deemed to be "hurting the feelings of the Chinese people." This proposed legislation, still in the drafting stage, aims to prohibit various behaviors, including dress or speech that could be considered offensive or "detrimental to the spirit of the Chinese people."

The draft of this law, released by the standing committee of China's legislature, is listed as a priority for passage this year. Punishments for those who violate the law could range from a fine, equivalent to approximately $950 (Rs 79,002), to being sent to a detention center for 15 days. However, the available information does not clearly specify what images, clothing, or speech would be considered "offensive" by the Communist government.

ALSO READ: Supreme Court addresses Manipur ethnic crisis (arthparkash.com)

Examples of past crackdowns

Recent incidents in China have highlighted the government's strict approach to public appearance and expression. In Suzhou, a city near Shanghai, a woman was detained last year for wearing traditional Japanese attire, a kimono, in public. The government has also taken actions against people wearing shirts with rainbows or distributing flags with pro-LGBTQ+ symbols. In 2019, during the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, Beijing banned the export of black clothing to the region, as such attire had become associated with the protests.

Ban on foreign-branded devices in government

In another recent development, China has ordered officials at central government agencies not to use Apple's iPhones and other foreign-branded devices for work or bring them into the office. This move aligns with China's broader efforts to reduce dependence on foreign technology and promote domestically manufactured products.

ALSO READ: Foxconn and STMicroelectronics partner for Indian semiconductor plant bid (arthparkash.com)

While the specific criteria for what clothing or behavior would be deemed offensive in the proposed law remain unclear, it reflects the Chinese government's ongoing efforts to exert control over cultural expression and public discourse, aligning them with the Communist Party's ideology and values. Critics argue that such measures infringe on individual freedoms and limit creative expression, raising concerns about censorship and human rights.