Whipling
@seanhaines.bsky.social
Ex China state media commentary writer. Interests: disinfo, comms, and cronuts.
In a rare tweet, former Global Times chief Hu Xijin says: “The US cannot prevent China’s reunification with Taiwan by military means.” 🧐
It’s just one month since state media bent over backwards to describe Beijing's mammoth military parade as a not a show of force, but a "show of peace”.
It’s just one month since state media bent over backwards to describe Beijing's mammoth military parade as a not a show of force, but a "show of peace”.
October 8, 2025 at 4:54 AM
In a rare tweet, former Global Times chief Hu Xijin says: “The US cannot prevent China’s reunification with Taiwan by military means.” 🧐
It’s just one month since state media bent over backwards to describe Beijing's mammoth military parade as a not a show of force, but a "show of peace”.
It’s just one month since state media bent over backwards to describe Beijing's mammoth military parade as a not a show of force, but a "show of peace”.
One is Xinhua's Jiang Jiang, who states in his newsletter: "views not representing Xinhua".
However, a recent Xinhua article said, stating it was "created by the External Dept", and listing all the ways its studios are supported / censored. Reference to Jiang Jiang was later deleted.
However, a recent Xinhua article said, stating it was "created by the External Dept", and listing all the ways its studios are supported / censored. Reference to Jiang Jiang was later deleted.
August 31, 2025 at 7:07 AM
One is Xinhua's Jiang Jiang, who states in his newsletter: "views not representing Xinhua".
However, a recent Xinhua article said, stating it was "created by the External Dept", and listing all the ways its studios are supported / censored. Reference to Jiang Jiang was later deleted.
However, a recent Xinhua article said, stating it was "created by the External Dept", and listing all the ways its studios are supported / censored. Reference to Jiang Jiang was later deleted.
Is he ever right..?
August 27, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Is he ever right..?
*WHO guidelines recommend annual average concentrations of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 µg/m3 — meaning China is 6x higher.
Also. Pick your moment, guys. Today, is a "purple" day, with Beijing hitting 252 PM2.5. 😷
Also. Pick your moment, guys. Today, is a "purple" day, with Beijing hitting 252 PM2.5. 😷
August 12, 2025 at 3:02 PM
*WHO guidelines recommend annual average concentrations of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 µg/m3 — meaning China is 6x higher.
Also. Pick your moment, guys. Today, is a "purple" day, with Beijing hitting 252 PM2.5. 😷
Also. Pick your moment, guys. Today, is a "purple" day, with Beijing hitting 252 PM2.5. 😷
Xiangyu, a pro-Beijing Taiwanese rapper released a song about the DPP 'selling out'. CGTN offered to amplify it—but only if he made "politically sensitive" changes.
Cue a hasty chorus rewrite, from:
🎶Taiwan is our home, we are Taiwanese🎶
-to-
🎶We are Chinese, our homeland is called Taiwan Province🎶
Cue a hasty chorus rewrite, from:
🎶Taiwan is our home, we are Taiwanese🎶
-to-
🎶We are Chinese, our homeland is called Taiwan Province🎶
July 26, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Xiangyu, a pro-Beijing Taiwanese rapper released a song about the DPP 'selling out'. CGTN offered to amplify it—but only if he made "politically sensitive" changes.
Cue a hasty chorus rewrite, from:
🎶Taiwan is our home, we are Taiwanese🎶
-to-
🎶We are Chinese, our homeland is called Taiwan Province🎶
Cue a hasty chorus rewrite, from:
🎶Taiwan is our home, we are Taiwanese🎶
-to-
🎶We are Chinese, our homeland is called Taiwan Province🎶
👈 The hope
The reality 👉
(Incidentally, Luke's now deleted the QRT)
The reality 👉
(Incidentally, Luke's now deleted the QRT)
July 26, 2025 at 5:28 PM
👈 The hope
The reality 👉
(Incidentally, Luke's now deleted the QRT)
The reality 👉
(Incidentally, Luke's now deleted the QRT)
Oh dear. Luke, a Brit who moved to Xinjiang, primarily as a shot in the arm for his influencer aspirations, and be state media's go-to foreign face on Uyghur issues, writes a long thread on XUAR's subtle political differences.
Backfires.
Gets full wrath from the botfarm.
Backfires.
Gets full wrath from the botfarm.
July 26, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Oh dear. Luke, a Brit who moved to Xinjiang, primarily as a shot in the arm for his influencer aspirations, and be state media's go-to foreign face on Uyghur issues, writes a long thread on XUAR's subtle political differences.
Backfires.
Gets full wrath from the botfarm.
Backfires.
Gets full wrath from the botfarm.
State media often portray Xi as a great diplomat. Numbers say different.
Worldwide, confidence in Xi lags China everywhere (except India). Interestingly, some of the biggest gaps are with China's close political partners. A case of: "Love the country/money—just not the Party"?
Worldwide, confidence in Xi lags China everywhere (except India). Interestingly, some of the biggest gaps are with China's close political partners. A case of: "Love the country/money—just not the Party"?
July 23, 2025 at 3:46 AM
State media often portray Xi as a great diplomat. Numbers say different.
Worldwide, confidence in Xi lags China everywhere (except India). Interestingly, some of the biggest gaps are with China's close political partners. A case of: "Love the country/money—just not the Party"?
Worldwide, confidence in Xi lags China everywhere (except India). Interestingly, some of the biggest gaps are with China's close political partners. A case of: "Love the country/money—just not the Party"?
This year, China will borrow $2.50 for every $1 of economic growth. This is not normal.
Xi has exploded borrowing, taking China from one of the least indebted countries globally, to one of the most in just a decade. All in, Gov debt now 312% of GDP.
And it's speeding up~
Xi has exploded borrowing, taking China from one of the least indebted countries globally, to one of the most in just a decade. All in, Gov debt now 312% of GDP.
And it's speeding up~
July 23, 2025 at 3:44 AM
This year, China will borrow $2.50 for every $1 of economic growth. This is not normal.
Xi has exploded borrowing, taking China from one of the least indebted countries globally, to one of the most in just a decade. All in, Gov debt now 312% of GDP.
And it's speeding up~
Xi has exploded borrowing, taking China from one of the least indebted countries globally, to one of the most in just a decade. All in, Gov debt now 312% of GDP.
And it's speeding up~
New figures from the China’s National Immigration Administration out today. A total of 38 million foreigners visited/left China in H1 2025. Up 30% year-on-year — but still down 20% compared to H1 2019. Numbers very different to state media messaging. No boom. Yet.
July 16, 2025 at 3:11 PM
New figures from the China’s National Immigration Administration out today. A total of 38 million foreigners visited/left China in H1 2025. Up 30% year-on-year — but still down 20% compared to H1 2019. Numbers very different to state media messaging. No boom. Yet.
My favourite part was the eclectic list of people she tagged, asking for engagement.
July 9, 2025 at 12:12 AM
My favourite part was the eclectic list of people she tagged, asking for engagement.
If it's the former, that puts China's total multi-year foreign expat population at less than 90,000.
...Or about this many nationwide~
(Bird's Nest stadium)
...Or about this many nationwide~
(Bird's Nest stadium)
July 6, 2025 at 4:25 AM
If it's the former, that puts China's total multi-year foreign expat population at less than 90,000.
...Or about this many nationwide~
(Bird's Nest stadium)
...Or about this many nationwide~
(Bird's Nest stadium)
According to China's immigration office, it renewed only 72,000 resident permits nationwide last year. Considering ~700,000 permits were handed out, means either 90% of foreigners are leaving when their visa's up, or people are leaving and coming back on new visas..?
July 6, 2025 at 4:25 AM
According to China's immigration office, it renewed only 72,000 resident permits nationwide last year. Considering ~700,000 permits were handed out, means either 90% of foreigners are leaving when their visa's up, or people are leaving and coming back on new visas..?
Many are aghast how Princeton University Press accepted an all-expenses paid trip to Xinjiang, and were willingly used for propaganda purposes — but there are signs they didn't exactly send their brightest.
July 1, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Many are aghast how Princeton University Press accepted an all-expenses paid trip to Xinjiang, and were willingly used for propaganda purposes — but there are signs they didn't exactly send their brightest.
Winning tickets to see Guns N' Roses. At Villa Park. In the sun. Week is off to a great start~ ☀️🎸
June 23, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Winning tickets to see Guns N' Roses. At Villa Park. In the sun. Week is off to a great start~ ☀️🎸
Wow. Magic. ✨
Last article, I noted: ““Potside Chats” is China Daily’s flagship brand for its foreign presenters, yet most videos on its Wechat account have single digit likes.”
Now all those videos have increased by precisely ~100 likes. While others unchanged.
👈 Before. After. 👉
Last article, I noted: ““Potside Chats” is China Daily’s flagship brand for its foreign presenters, yet most videos on its Wechat account have single digit likes.”
Now all those videos have increased by precisely ~100 likes. While others unchanged.
👈 Before. After. 👉
June 13, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Wow. Magic. ✨
Last article, I noted: ““Potside Chats” is China Daily’s flagship brand for its foreign presenters, yet most videos on its Wechat account have single digit likes.”
Now all those videos have increased by precisely ~100 likes. While others unchanged.
👈 Before. After. 👉
Last article, I noted: ““Potside Chats” is China Daily’s flagship brand for its foreign presenters, yet most videos on its Wechat account have single digit likes.”
Now all those videos have increased by precisely ~100 likes. While others unchanged.
👈 Before. After. 👉
And... *breathe*
Last night was fun. Thank you to the China Correspondent's Club of London team who put it together, and all 90 (!) who crammed into a boiling room on a school night—especially the dozen hardy souls who had to stand.
Fascinating chats after. And a lot of Wechat/Whatsapps exchanged~
Last night was fun. Thank you to the China Correspondent's Club of London team who put it together, and all 90 (!) who crammed into a boiling room on a school night—especially the dozen hardy souls who had to stand.
Fascinating chats after. And a lot of Wechat/Whatsapps exchanged~
June 4, 2025 at 2:40 PM
And... *breathe*
Last night was fun. Thank you to the China Correspondent's Club of London team who put it together, and all 90 (!) who crammed into a boiling room on a school night—especially the dozen hardy souls who had to stand.
Fascinating chats after. And a lot of Wechat/Whatsapps exchanged~
Last night was fun. Thank you to the China Correspondent's Club of London team who put it together, and all 90 (!) who crammed into a boiling room on a school night—especially the dozen hardy souls who had to stand.
Fascinating chats after. And a lot of Wechat/Whatsapps exchanged~
I guess it *still* isn't the time~
June 4, 2025 at 10:56 AM
I guess it *still* isn't the time~
If you remember, Andy did exactly the same thing, last year.
That post hit 3.6m views and prompted BBC's John Simpson (an eyewitness) to reply and DW to mark it as 'Misleading'
tinyurl.com/yck27tc8
A bigger problem for bosses was Andy *overstated* deaths, compared to official numbers. Deleted.
That post hit 3.6m views and prompted BBC's John Simpson (an eyewitness) to reply and DW to mark it as 'Misleading'
tinyurl.com/yck27tc8
A bigger problem for bosses was Andy *overstated* deaths, compared to official numbers. Deleted.
June 4, 2025 at 10:54 AM
If you remember, Andy did exactly the same thing, last year.
That post hit 3.6m views and prompted BBC's John Simpson (an eyewitness) to reply and DW to mark it as 'Misleading'
tinyurl.com/yck27tc8
A bigger problem for bosses was Andy *overstated* deaths, compared to official numbers. Deleted.
That post hit 3.6m views and prompted BBC's John Simpson (an eyewitness) to reply and DW to mark it as 'Misleading'
tinyurl.com/yck27tc8
A bigger problem for bosses was Andy *overstated* deaths, compared to official numbers. Deleted.
In what's becoming an annual tradition, Shanghai Daily's "Andy Boreham" tries posting "the truth" about Tiananmen Square... only to delete it hours later.
Bosses aren't happy~
Bosses aren't happy~
June 4, 2025 at 10:08 AM
In what's becoming an annual tradition, Shanghai Daily's "Andy Boreham" tries posting "the truth" about Tiananmen Square... only to delete it hours later.
Bosses aren't happy~
Bosses aren't happy~
Propaganda fail of the day ✨
Shen Shiwei — whose X bio plays up his "years in Africa", but forgets to mention he works for CGTN — posts how China is now "VISA FREE" to 47 countries. African followers soon spot there isn't a single country from their continent.
It's at ~1 million views. 💀
Shen Shiwei — whose X bio plays up his "years in Africa", but forgets to mention he works for CGTN — posts how China is now "VISA FREE" to 47 countries. African followers soon spot there isn't a single country from their continent.
It's at ~1 million views. 💀
May 30, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Propaganda fail of the day ✨
Shen Shiwei — whose X bio plays up his "years in Africa", but forgets to mention he works for CGTN — posts how China is now "VISA FREE" to 47 countries. African followers soon spot there isn't a single country from their continent.
It's at ~1 million views. 💀
Shen Shiwei — whose X bio plays up his "years in Africa", but forgets to mention he works for CGTN — posts how China is now "VISA FREE" to 47 countries. African followers soon spot there isn't a single country from their continent.
It's at ~1 million views. 💀
2. If Jason actually read his linked source, he'd see CPC admit "data inconsistencies". And Han pop grew faster than Uyghur in recent years.
Until 2017, Uyghur pop growth was remarkably consistent at +200k per year when (as jail campaign starts) it miraculously halves to +90k & +60k. Coincidence..?
Until 2017, Uyghur pop growth was remarkably consistent at +200k per year when (as jail campaign starts) it miraculously halves to +90k & +60k. Coincidence..?
May 21, 2025 at 1:53 AM
2. If Jason actually read his linked source, he'd see CPC admit "data inconsistencies". And Han pop grew faster than Uyghur in recent years.
Until 2017, Uyghur pop growth was remarkably consistent at +200k per year when (as jail campaign starts) it miraculously halves to +90k & +60k. Coincidence..?
Until 2017, Uyghur pop growth was remarkably consistent at +200k per year when (as jail campaign starts) it miraculously halves to +90k & +60k. Coincidence..?
There's a special circle in hell dedicated to foreigners who fly to China and get fat on CPC coin, parroting shite like this.
A couple of things. This chart only goes to 2020. The crackdown years are disguised wholly in the last bar. 1/2
A couple of things. This chart only goes to 2020. The crackdown years are disguised wholly in the last bar. 1/2
May 21, 2025 at 1:52 AM
There's a special circle in hell dedicated to foreigners who fly to China and get fat on CPC coin, parroting shite like this.
A couple of things. This chart only goes to 2020. The crackdown years are disguised wholly in the last bar. 1/2
A couple of things. This chart only goes to 2020. The crackdown years are disguised wholly in the last bar. 1/2
For some reason, he deleted this rant complaining how slow his censors are working.
May 15, 2025 at 4:35 PM
For some reason, he deleted this rant complaining how slow his censors are working.