Dissent becomes the next victim of coronavirus as China cracks down
(The Guardian China)

Analysts say epidemic poses gravest threat to authorities since Tiananmen Square - and Beijing´s tight control could backfireThe coronavirus crisis in China has posed unprecedented political challenges to the authorities and prompted them to further crack down on speech freedom and tighten control over people in a desperate move to bolster the regime, say analysts and activists.After President Xi Jinping ordered `resolute efforts` to curb the spread of coronavirus in his first public remarks on the disease on 20 January, Wuhan was swiftly placed under lockdown. Millions of communities across China also began to implement draconian epidemic control measures. Related: China`s handling of coronavirus is a diplomatic challenge for WHO Related: Doctor who blew whistle over coronavirus has died, hospital says Continue reading...