There is an unsettling quote in this article: "President Xi Jinping has vowed to catch the terrorists 'with nets spreading from the earth to the sky,' and to chase them 'like rats scurrying across the street, with everybody shouting, "Beat them."'" This quote, I believe, gets to the crux of the problem in China. The government's fear of terrorists has created a monster more terrifying than terrorism itself. Freedoms are being taken away as homes are searched and the Internet is cut. This reaction to terrorism is rooted in stereotypes-- a person who is wearing a headscarf is likely to be arrested because they are deemed look like an extremist. There must be a better way to defend against terrorism, right? How can people's liberties be kept intact while they try to maintain some sort of safety from terrorist attacks? Or, if it's a zero-sum game and when safety is given, freedom is taken away, what is the right balance between safety and freedom? Also, how does this compare to the United States and its "war on terror"?
I think that the safety precautions are too extreme. This sort of action only breeds discrimination and racism, which we can see effects of in our own country from our own War on Terror. However, this seems much worse. I think all the surveillance and check points are unnecessary. China can deal with its terrorists and criminals when there is immense evidence against them. This sort of legislation only will make tensions worse, and cause civil rebellions inside their country.
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