We are watching CNN this morning. Seeing the beautiful table settings and all the yummies — including good ol’ American apple pie — that are being served up as we watch to President Hu on his state visit to my hometown, Washington, DC. Michelle looks grand in her auspiciously red gown and I am wondering where is Mrs. Hu, and why President Hu is not wearing a tux to this state dinner that the Chinese have been longing for.
Then there is a short report on what President Obama said in a news conference earlier, including human rights (not all that much). “But how are they handling this in China?” the anchor asks, — I’m thinking I know the answer — and switches to a reporter in Beijing.
The reporter begins, “Here in China, human rights remains a sensitive issue.” And then blank. The plug was pulled.
Yah, that’s how they handle sensitive topics in China. By trying to prevent anybody from hearing about them. And now they even censor our bootleg Filipino satellite.
Coverage has returned. CNN has moved on to Haiti.
Hi KP! read your bit about Chinese state visit to US. Yes, I am sure there are injustices in China, but they happen around the world, in so-called democratic countries as well. America is not without its injustices, and UK also. Hope to put up some more Chinese oriented images shortly. TpM.
Oh, I agree, there are injustices enough to go around. This was just something that was so in-my-face that I had to comment on it. And the funny thing is, although the powers that be pulled the plug on the TV feed, that action would seem to be counterproductive. Doesn’t it just provoke interest? I know it made me go from ho-hum to the internet to read the foreign newspapers online to find out just what wasn’t being allowed this time. Anybody can do that here. Western newspapers aren’t blocked. (Although blogspot is, which may be why I can’t comment on your blog — I use a VPN to read it — but that’s another story.) Please keep the exquisite Chinese art coming!