China all over the news, again.

Sonics2k · 09-10-2019 12:16pm #1

China has, as I'm sure all of you noticed, been a massive story in the media lately due to it's massive influence on Western politics, culture and enforced censorship.

China is always an interesting one, because nobody really likes their politics. People on the right love it call it out on being a disgusting communist dictatorship, and people on the left also enjoy calling it out as a disgusting communist dictatorship.

In the last week we've seen just how much influence China has over Western media with the NBA.

https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/7/20902947/nba-rockets-daryl-morey-hong-kong-protests-tweet-internet-speech-censorship-china

Daryl Morey is expected to lose his job in the coming days.

Blizzard Entertainment recently dropped one of their champion players after he spoke live about supporting Hong Kong's right to democracy, banning him for at least 12 months and refusing to payout his winnings. They also fired the two presenters of the show immediately.

https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/8/20905181/blizzard-hearthstone-player-ban-marco-rubio-ron-wyden-china-hong-kong-protests-blitzchung

The common reason of course is simple, money. Both businesses have a vested interest in the Chinese market due to the profit potential, but also in order to have labor completed.

I have a good friend due to travel to China to teach soon and I'm genuinely concerned. She's rather outspoken and not prone to being told what to do. However, she's willing to ignore the awful stuff around the Chinese Government because she wants to travel there.

So the question really is this, what can actually be done about this? Do you think the NBA and Blizzard were right to respond in these ways?

Chris_Heilong · 09-10-2019 1:22pm

It is more so look at how greedy the western companies are to change the way they do things in order to get that sweet Chinese money, If they were not after the money then nothing would be getting censored.

Sonics2k · 09-10-2019 2:34pm

Chris_Heilong wrote: »

It is more so look at how greedy the western companies are to change the way they do things in order to get that sweet Chinese money, If they were not after the money then nothing would be getting censored.

Western companies are incredibly greedy. Massive industries (Apple) built off places like Foxxcon.

Even if you're not a fan of Islam, surely any decent person would recognize this is disgusting.

Satellite images reveal China is destroying Muslim graveyards where generations of Uighur families are buried and replaces them with car parks and playgrounds 'to eradicate the ethnic group's identity'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7553127/Even-death-Uighurs-feel-long-reach-Chinese-state.html

James Brown · 09-10-2019 2:36pm

Trump practically saying he'd not comment on Hong Kong if he got a nice deal was disgusting.

SexBobomb · 09-10-2019 3:10pm

Obviously I disagree with the NBA and Blizzard's decision but I wouldn't really expect massive companies to stick up for anyone if it didn't make them money or would lose them a lot of money, (especially Blizzard in his case) but no-one cares enough to actually not consume their products so these companies have no motivation to do the right thing.

TheValeyard · 09-10-2019 5:31pm

We should be isolating China, not accepting their money or tolerating their regime.

whisky_galore · 09-10-2019 6:04pm

Any and all references to South Park banned in China now.

First it was Winnie the Pooh, now this.

TheValeyard · 09-10-2019 6:13pm

whisky_galore wrote: »

Any and all references to South Park banned in China now.

First it was Winnie the Pooh, now this.

The South Park apology was brilliant

One eyed Jack · 09-10-2019 6:28pm

Sonics2k wrote: »

China has, as I'm sure all of you noticed, been a massive story in the media lately due to it's massive influence on Western politics, culture and enforced censorship.

China is always an interesting one, because nobody really likes their politics. People on the right love it call it out on being a disgusting communist dictatorship, and people on the left also enjoy calling it out as a disgusting communist dictatorship.

In the last week we've seen just how much influence China has over Western media with the NBA.

Bit black and white there Sonics, but I get your point. Either way their views are based upon their exposure to China through the lens of Western media.

Sonics2k wrote: »

So the question really is this, what can actually be done about this? Do you think the NBA and Blizzard were right to respond in these ways?

Nothing needs to be done about it IMO. They’re businesses at the end of the day and they have to answer to their shareholders, not the general public or the “callout culture/cancel culture” types on social media.

- Sent from my iPhone, which would have cost me a hell of a lot more if Apple gave a shìte about ethical business practices :pac:

That’s basically what it comes down to.

AllGunsBlazing · 09-10-2019 6:37pm

We've been tolerating Saudi Arabia's antics for a lot longer. I guarantee you that if South Africa had been either a huge oil producing nation, or source of cheap labour for global industry, then apartheid would still be going strong today.

We're quite adept at turning a blind eye when it suits our lifestyle.

mzungu · 09-10-2019 10:19pm

Unfortunately that is the way these things work. The NBA and China are making millions and anybody that tries to derail that particular gravy train will be handed their P45. In a hypothetical situation, if there was not much money to be made, the NBA would be safe enough in making a stand and that would offset any backlash. However, the money always dictates morals and ethics in these situations, and the five-year streaming deal with the Chinese (worth $1.5 billion) will not be sacrificed.

What it does do, however, is make the NBA look like a right bunch of hypocrites for talking up a good game for human rights in America, whilst at the same time abandoning their concern for human rights when it comes to their dealings abroad when it will have a negative impact on their coffers.

Not surprising, though. It will all be forgotten about in a few weeks.

mcmoustache · 09-10-2019 11:06pm

TheValeyard wrote: »

The South Park apology was brilliant

As was the episode. They knew what would happen but they have "Fuuck you" money and of course, 'tegridy.

Cookie_Monster · 09-10-2019 11:23pm

AllGunsBlazing wrote: »

We've been tolerating Saudi Arabia's antics for a lot longer.

And the US

Chris_Heilong · 11-10-2019 4:03pm

Sonics2k wrote: »

Western companies are incredibly greedy. Massive industries (Apple) built off places like Foxxcon.

Even if you're not a fan of Islam, surely any decent person would recognize this is disgusting.

Satellite images reveal China is destroying Muslim graveyards where generations of Uighur families are buried and replaces them with car parks and playgrounds 'to eradicate the ethnic group's identity'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7553127/Even-death-Uighurs-feel-long-reach-Chinese-state.html

You are not going to Change China, China's biggest Market is China and we are not political activists, we are gamers and as gamers what we can do is affect the way business do things in Europe and America, the campaign to shame these companies and refusing to buy their products is the best and most effect form of protest we can do.