2021 Issue 43

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Boston Celtics center, Enes Kanter doubled down on his condemnation of the Chinese Communist Party, criticizing Beijing for its widespread human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims. Even as television providers and streaming platforms across China pulled their coverage of the team, Kanter remained steadfast in his activism, denouncing Nike this week for its exploitation of Chinese slave labor and silence in the face of an ongoing genocide. 

Tensions remain high along the China-India border following a provocative policy directive from Beijing regarding the governance of the land border it shares with five countries. Although the notice did not single one out, provisions regarding strengthened border defenses were received by officials in New Delhi as being connected to the ongoing dispute.

A series of stories this week examine the persisting energy crisis facing China and highlight the deep structural weakness of the Chinese economic system. While Xi Jinping seems likely to skip the COP26 climate summit, the international community remains focused on the challenges facing Beijing as it seeks to chart course towards a carbon neutral future and convince world leaders that its promises are not as hollow as they currently seem.