Commentary
China’s surveillance and social control systems have reached unprecedented levels, bringing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) closer to total dominance in both the cyber and physical realms.
The CCP now oversees and monitors 700 million CCTV cameras nationwide, capable of identifying individuals through facial and gait recognition. This surveillance network is integrated with a social credit system that ranks citizens based on their adherence to CCP mandates. A lowered social credit score can restrict access to essential digital services controlled by the CCP, such as banking, travel, shopping, employment, and housing. It also impacts social and romantic relationships, as associating with someone with a low social credit score can have negative consequences for one’s own score.
In addition to the extensive surveillance network known as Sky Net, the Great Firewall of China blocks most foreign news sources, effectively isolating the country from international news. Domestic media are state-controlled, limiting access to only CCP-approved content. Foreign social media platforms like Gmail are restricted, while domestic alternatives are closely monitored. Sharing prohibited content, even privately, can have severe repercussions, giving the CCP control over individuals’ communication and expression.
The CCP has also cracked down on VPNs used to bypass the Great Firewall and access restricted content. Only government-approved VPNs are legal now, and most app stores no longer offer unauthorized options. These approved VPNs are mandated by cybersecurity and national intelligence laws to provide user data to Beijing upon request. Furthermore, they come with restrictions that may prevent access to blocked content, reinforcing the CCP’s control over cyberspace.
Please rewrite the following sentence: “The team worked collaboratively to complete the project ahead of schedule.”
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