Curious convoy
I'm back in Beijing after a trip to southern China to have a look at how the global financial crisis is affecting this country.
Had a strange last morning in Shenzhen. The team and I were on our way to an interview at a toy factory. The traffic was jammed and people were standing by the side of the road. We saw a huge police convoy go by - dozens of motorbikes, several vans, and an armoured car right at the front.
None of us had ever seen this before in China - so we followed the convoy at a safe distance (we didn't want to repeat the experience of a colleague of mine in Jerusalem who once drove behind the Israeli prime minister's convoy and found several machine guns pointed straight at him from the rear vehicle).
We followed the convoy for a while (have a look at the photo) before peeling away. We asked local people if they knew why it was deployed - they told us they didn't know, that they'd never seen something like it before. It's entirely possible that the police were just moving vehicles from one place to another. But it does show that the authorities in this part of China have the resources to deal with social unrest if more people lose their jobs because of the world's financial crisis.
I’m 
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Actually James, I think it wold have been better if you'd kept to the story about the toy factory.
In fact, I think we all know - and would expect - that a Government has resources to quell a disturbance.
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These resources do exist.
But are you effectively suggesting that the purpose of having these resources is to deal with social unrest?
It is like saying that "the presence of UK's army shows UK has the resources to attack other countries"
It is a possibility but as a reporter you shouldn't suggest in this way, even on your blog.
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This is an example of the BBC trying to suggest the news. The armoured car could have been used for any purpose. Simply because I saw a military helicopter over London recently I would not suggest that the government is ready to deal with social unrest in the UK.
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I'm not surprised that our esteemed Beijing Correspondent has, once again, decided to focus on a negative story.
Over the weekend, a United Nations report was released saying that 'Chinese people are living longer than ever'. Why doesn't the author choose to speak to ordinary citizens and ask how their lives have improved immeasurably over the last few decades?
Oops I forgot, reporting positive stories about China is not within the remit of the BBC.
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James, your logic once again surprised me:D Maybe next time you think the convoy was used to transport Marsians to area 51???
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Referring to last sentence in blog:
"But it does show that the authorities in this part of China have the resources to deal with social unrest if more people lose their jobs because of the world's financial crisis"
James, what a pointless blog and remark
Of course China has the resources regardless of which part of the country requires it !!
China has the largest (not necessarily the best) standing army in the world
It's authorities have proven again and again it will mobilize the army for the greater good (2008 snow storms, Sichuan earthquake, olympics, etc, etc ) and occassionally the not so good as in two decades ago in Tiananmen Square
Again, I have to make the point.... can we please have a correspodent with some cultural, historical, meaningful interest instead.....
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James:
It seems that it was a curious set of events!....
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These measures, if they are supposedly deployed to maintain civil order, will not be out of place in any Western democracy. so what is the big deal?
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James:
It should seems that the Chinese authorities must have the resources to prevent an "uprising" if people in China, lose there jobs...
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I am a long time reader from Australia with no Chinese background I enjoy reading this blog and the valuable insight it gives into the lives of ordinary Chinese especially through the comments posted in reaction to your stories. I have read numerous comments from people (Chinese Citizens?) complaining about bias in your reporting James. I must say that I have dismissed most of these as typical responses from Chinese citizens when how they live and what their government does is criticised.
However with this post I can clearly see bias. How can seeing a convoy of police vehicles be linked in the last sentence to"show that the authorities in this part of China have the resources to deal with social unrest if more people lose their jobs because of the world's financial crisis." This is streaching the story pretty far without you even discovering what they were doing this particular time. Evey major city has a police force with "dozens of motorbikes, several vans, and an armoured car" and a few police vehicles is hardly a defense from massive internal unrest that job losses from a global slowdown would create. This just seems a feeble attempt to play up the angle that the Chinese have a vast unsatisfied population that are on the edge of massive social unrest. To conclude this from seeing one police convoy is purely a beat up.
The reason that these vehicles are in a convoy on display is the real story here and I am disappointed that you did not see it fit to follow this convoy and discover its purpose. Is it just a transfer? Was there a protest or some internal unrest? Does the government of china feel the need for such a show of force at this time? Why would such a show be needed? These are the real questions and its really disapointing you fail to answer any of them.
Thanks
Aussie Bogan
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China is one of the very few countries which has the financial resources to mitigate the impact of the global economic meltdown (which will start to hit China soon). The factory closures so far were not due to the world's financial crisis, which has yet to hit China's export (which was still growing, though at a slower rate). These closures were resulted from an appreciating renminbi(which has risen 20% in the past two years), and the hike in raw material prices, amongst others, which have eaten into the firms' thin margin. The "social unrest" so far was workers going back to their factories to demand their back wages. It's very strange that BBC correspondent based in China isn't aware of these facts.
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hehe, James, have you find where the toy Factory is? And what is this, I am really surprsied about this new article about "convoy on the road side".
Simply, I can not understand what you want to talk about, please make it clear next time. thanks.
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James Reynold has got to be either the most cynical or the most inexperience journalist the BBC has on its payroll. Perhaps both!
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I'm wondering how you've managed to get to work for BBC. It's either you have all the luck or BBC is not up to its reputation. Just look at what you've written down here "It's entirely possible that the police were just moving vehicles from one place to another." You couldn't even bother yourself to dig out the truth, yet you are bold enough to link it with your conclusion "But it does show that the authorities in this part of China have the resources to deal with social unrest if more people lose their jobs because of the world's financial crisis." Could you please show me where is the logic? If you know nothing and have nothing new to say, then don't say. Where are the ethics for correspondents?
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Funny, I saw the exact samething on the streets here yesterday, Sunday.
What's going on?
Are the limos looking more like armoured cars now a days?
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Just wondering, are you supposed to be a reporter or are you supposed to be a defense analyst? Because the two careers are mutually exclusive, and you're not as much of an analyst as you imply yourself to be.
If you want to speak about the trivial ills of China such as that "curious" convoy you mentioned, you might as well get yourself a personal blog away from the BBC.
I've read other newspapers where they did report on the mobilization of Beijing's SWAT and various other counter-terror commandos for the Olympics; and that was as far back as two years ago where it did matter.
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Before timbatu/Voodoo whatever-you-called-yourself-before-you-felt-the-need-to
change-your-name, starts their ubiquitous rant, I would recommend that an
elephant-in-the-room approach is adopted here. And yes I know I’m a
Christian-loving, China-bashing, brainwashed imperialistic western devil for
saying a word against you, but I’ll live with that fact as I sleep soundly at
night, thank you. And what is all this business about Ghod? Are you really a machine generating all these comments and the setting for God is incorrect or something?
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A reporter has to look for a story.
Something unusual may indicate a story.
Social unrest is to be anticipated when great numbers lose their jobs.
Exactly how the regime deals with it if it develops will be a major story.
Why not ask how the regime should handle millions of people losing their jobs, if that were to occur?
( I ask this because I have never noted a postive thought or suggestion in these blog postings).
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James you really have nothing interesting to report, I can't see the point of this blog. It doesn't carry any useful information. Basically you saw a armored car deployed and you made your own best guess. I suggest you visitor some internet forum where you might get some ideas of current hot spot.
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James:
Let me get this straight.
A few "motorbikes," "vans," and a single armored car ... EQUALS ... let's re-invoke images of Beijing Tiananmen Square 1989 and "tankman."
Brilliant BBC journalism ... where shall we have your Pulitzer delivered?
If I had a nickel for every military convoy I've seen on US highways, I'd probably be able to buy you lunch in Manhattan. Doesn't mean Kent State 1970 happens everytime I see a camo Humvee on Route 95.
All this over a single armored car (please allow me to assume that citizens aren't all that freaked out over motorbikes and vans) ... really ... ???
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James,
Normally I find you write good pieces. Unfortunately I don't think this is one of them. I have to agree with some of the other members, this non-story is really lacking any substance. You can't be out of ideas?!!
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Several big violent protests happened in Shenzhen just a couple of weeks ago, don't you know Mr journalist Reynolds?
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I don't know what you wanna express here. Why don't you just investigate by yourself as a real correspondent? Pls don't just think by yourself.
If the authorities have the resources to deal with social unrest as you said, so what? Won't your authority do something if social unrest does happen as you said? Plus, you've known nothing about what it was used for.
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You're very funny James! Thanks for making my day.
If back in 1989, 1 lone citizen could stop an entire column of army tanks, I wonder if a single armoured van would do any better!
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Is it all that strange ?? When I was in Paris two years ago, I saw the CRS (French riot police) in full combat armour and backed by several armoured cars. On inquire, they were on an exercise to prevent terrorists' attacks at train stations.
It did not mean that France was under civil unrest !! Some of the CRS (Robocop, to the French) were actually very well mannered, educated guys, too !!
So your point being.... ??
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I had never seen such a police car in China before. In fact, I had never seen any police in riot gear before in China. The Chinesepolice donot even have a gun while on duty. This strangelooking police car must be imported? May be made in UK where James come from? I think Chinese police deserve better equipment, so does the army.
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beijing_2008: yet again you completely misunderstand the whole point of this blog. Please allow me to explain it simply: The blog is written by James about things he experiences in China.
James saw something unusual and wrote about it. What is negative about that? Where did he insult China?
If you want to know how Chinese feel about the country then you should ask them. Stop bullying James every single time he makes a post.
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People fail to realise that this blog is about James and his experiences in China, and is not an outlet for news. Give it a rest! Your complaints are getting tiring.
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Good to have you back from Cuba, James.
I see a short period of time in that island helped you develope a revolutionary sense of sharpness. Cuba Libre! Especially you start to make sense like Sarah Palin in your reporting style: the wild wordsmith of South China Sea?
While you were curious, have you seen, by the way, that Daniel Craig having his Shaken, Not stirred in that armour, together with his Big Foot mate? Pity that you should have brought your standard equipment, that binocular you used in the Olympic Opening, with you.
"Tranquiiiilo, hermano", this is what a Cubano will tell ya in such a circumstances. Everything has its first time and you ain't seen nothing yet.
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an essential tool deployed to win a Nobel Peace Prize, apparently.
less attractive than the Tanks...
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Dears james: do you think the poison milk incidence has something to do with logivity of the citizens?
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Why is there no mention on BBC of the huge riot in Longnan? Part of the city's on fire, government buildlings and vehicles are on still burning, with crowd estimates of up to 10,000 people.
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Also, why does the "curious convoy" entry not mention the substantial Shenzhen riot last week, which one could easily point to as a potential cause for the military escalating its presence there?
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I can't believe that people are paid to write hollow articles like this one.
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James, come on, could you please be professional just for once? Or you probably have done your best and gave us a perfect example of how distorted a BBC reporter can be.
I was wondering why some of the so called news reports from western media are so distorted full of imaginary evidences and groundless allegations.
Now, I know. Thanks to James. LoL
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James,
Not that I'd assume there were any neo-colonialist intent or anything. But essentially most western commentators assume the only way for China to go forward is to duplicate western style democracy.
That of course is not the only way to go (and the other way might not necessarily be communism nor fascism). You're talking about social system that evolved from a very different civilization with very different environment, religion, and value. And it took millenia for the west to get to where it is today. But way too often, even the western academia assumes there is only one universal way for humanity to socially evolve, and the west are at the forefront of it.
It certainly doesn't make sense for the west to impose its will on China when it is unwilling to take responsibilities for the adverse effects it causes. Moreover, it doesn't make sense when there are no precedence that proves it will work. Just two weeks ago, blood spilled in the streets of Taipei because of a irrational mass protest, and 450 people suffered severe and minor injuries.
I really hope the west and even your colleagues can play a more contructive role for Chinese people to move socially forward. Rather than repeating the bad colonial habits of self-arbitration of justice to gratify pragmatic agendas.
Of course, some times, it's just an honest midunderstanding. For example, I think it's hard for western audience to detect the cultural nuances in order to recognize the "Democratic" Progressive Party of Taiwan tends to be lying cons and actors skilled in drama, especially when they are exploiting liberal rhetorics.
Taiwan and KMT is pretty committed to both democracy and the Chinese people, but the west shouldn't get all xenophobic and overreact when our democracy doesn't look exactly like yours.
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It must be very hard for you to take this job: living in a country you hate badly, trying to take any chance to assaile but can't say expressly and counting on something never going to happen.
Don't understand why are you so harsh to yourself. Change a job, try something you hate less and people may appeciates your work.
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as saying goes all the glitters are not gold. china rise fast fall faster than expected. thats the true to every body. you ask any ordinary people on the street not the party members or the few rich sectors, they will tell you the horrible stories. these people live in constant fears and threats from the officials. this regime could even go as far as killing their own people for the sake of their own interest as they did before. out of three pillars that holds the nation stable are economy,political and social. china has only one out of three and that is only economy and that too is in down turn fro almost 6-7 months in row. peoples hope in government share has plunged and all that promises are gone. i feel for those ordinary people and moving of these military cars and convoys are clear signs that this communist regime is ready to shed the blood of their owns. very sad..
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Once I was in a small town in the US, namely Utica NY. The whole city was blocked by the police. I was not able to go back to my house.
Why – because Dick Cheney was coming for a meeting with local elites.
BBC NEVER reports such things in the West. Think about why!
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From James and other news reporters, I sense a powerful sentiment of disrespect against China. For the example of White Horse village, the female reporter repeatedly pretends to speak local language. It CANNOT be true! Because I speak Chinese as my first language, I CANNOT understand their dialect. Her observations are filled with imagination revealing her hatred against the perceived Chinese communistic government. The villages say a few negative things; these are immediately mis-interpreted as “TRUTH” to back up her imagination. The most obvious case is that the villages are negotiating with the party chief. She says they are desperately venting their anger at the party chief. It simply is NOT. She also claims the thousands of student at a local school are from "Local elites". Do you have any evidence for such a rude conclusion!? Do you know how the Chinese school system work? Learn to listen and respect first, because you can start understanding China.
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I wouldn't think unemplyment will be a cause of unrest.
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James - not one of your better blogs I have to say. Sorry to be negative but I can't really see how a military convoy is worthy of comment, especially in a country with the world's largest standing army.
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James
China is a very large country. You will find a lot of things that are curious to you. I sincerely hope one day you will find things in China are not curious anymore. That means you have finally become a local.
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To #29, James sees commy suppression by seeing a vehicle. This is an insult to anyone’s intelligence.
To #30. People fail to see this is a part of BBC News branch. If James open a truly independent blog of his own, I will never bother to read.
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This post is a powerful showcase of how the Western media has created the profound bias against China.
Many Chinese posting here hope James, BBC or the West will CHANGE one day.
I have been working with Christian fundamentalists for 10 years. No, they are incapable of escaping the biased cage.
It is like a Tibetan youth who grows up fed with hatred. He is not able to love China ever. The Christian Westerners are the same way.
Christianity must learn to respect diversity.
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#48 timbatu.
thats totally wrong judgement from yourside. I am tibetan youth but never grown up hating anybody, even chinese. thats the power of Tibetan culture. I have many chinese friends eventhough we don't agree in some of our political opinions but we respect as same human who love peace and harmony but having said that I also meet some totally brainwashed individual who really don't want to move an inch from their stand and thats understandable what they are taught, what they listen and who they listen to. thats why the chinese government spends millions of dollars for propaganda and they even have propaganda department. but majority of tibetan youth have no hatred towards chinese people rather the government tries to create a rift between tibetan people and the chinese.
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timbatu,
If all the chinese posting on this blog posts the way you do, I think it'll be a long time before anyone will listen to a chinese, let alone respect them.
Anyway, reacting to james blog post, besides the usual comments calculated to incite the chinese poster's ire, we did get one valuable piece of information.
What are a dozen bikes, several vans, and an armored car going to do in Shenzhen province?
Did any of the chinese poster's here get some news on CCTV about any riots in Shenzhen? any natural calamities? I for one don't think that the police are going there just for traffic duty.
Please enlighten me.
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I have been reading these comments for a while now and I would like to clarify a few points which may have been overlooked by some of those who feel the need to constantly give backlash. First of all, blogs are not the news. Blogs are a personal account of day to day events - therefor there is no real wrong sort of entry. Go buy a punching bag if you need someone to pick on. James is out there trying to let you know what he experiences, give the guy a break. Secondly, if something is amiss regarding a goverment that has historically dealt with the population using a heavy hand, this may be worth discussing - especially if it is happening in other places simultaneously. If I were you, no matter what country I was living in, I would try to figure out what was UP instead of acting like defensive children. The root of the word ignorance is INGNORE. Use this space to have meaningful discussions, instead of verbal stonings. Just my opinion.
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"But it does show that the authorities in this part of China have the resources to deal with social unrest if more people lose their jobs because of the world's financial crisis"
This last sentence is totally unnecessary. You give me the impression that you love that (social unrest) to happen. And, I believe I am not the only one to read it that way. You need to stop the hostility toward China, or quit your assignment there... My sincere advice to you.
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We do not satisfy everything which done by the government. But it seems there is already have a perception in your mind, so what you write is NOT quite possible to be so close to the real situation, too much your imagination. Anyway, thank you for you tell us what u think.
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???? why my commnet cannot show
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@ redtibetan.
I found your post deeply biased and I feel sorry for you to be brainwashed to such a point.
A country without a political pillar and social pillar would not achieve any economy success. Learn more science pls.
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Nearly all the postings above are defensively critical.
Two are supportive, showing that there IS unrest.
My point is different:
Are we sufficiently mature to suggest how things might be improved in China?
Or are we as repressed children, either unable or afraid to express ideas to our masters?
Why not ask how the regime should handle millions of people losing their jobs, if that were to occur?
( I ask this because I have never noted a postive thought or suggestion in these blog postings).
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11 Aussie Bogan
I agree with you.
James should have done better than this.
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Midnight Junkie,
Why do you think we Chinese want your respect?!?!
We Chinese do not care. There I said it.
Why should we care if people like you do not listen?
Do you worth anything to us?!?!
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Xie Ming:
Some info for you. Di-Bao has been intruduced for years for Chinese cities (probably not every single city. some small cities are not covered). Basically it is a wellfare system set up mainly by local governments with the financial support from central government to support the unemployed people and people with disabilities. There is a time limit for the payment for the unemployed. No time limit for disabled people.
The new economic package includes a part that will finance the establishment of similar welfare system for people in rural area.
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James, that was a very obvious statement 'authorities in this part of China have the resources to deal with social unrest if more people lose their jobs'.
Try and write something that has proof and try not to write words just so they can fill up lines.
You should remember that this also applies for many other country's both developed and developing so don't be so suprised.
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Actually, I think the "authorities have the resources" line is very Chinese, in a way - not unlike something Xinhua would say, as a subtle, even polite way to say that "if you protest we will crush you."
I agree with James that this convoy is absolutely significant, specifically because it has not been a familiar scene in Shenzhen up until now.
Let's face it - Lhasa, Xiahe, Guizhou, Guangdong, Kunming, Longnan only 72 hours ago, Beijing today - mass incidents are skyrocketing this year, particularly since March.
Everything those Tibet and Party-watchers amongst us have said is slowly coming true - the "crackdown culture" did indeed deepen since March, and is indeed now affecting not just Tibet, but China itself.
If you observe the netizen comments on the "handling" of the Longnan riots, there is a palpable anger towards the military and towards the Party. If it had been police alone crushing the petitioners, the criticism now would be anti-police; instead, it's anti-military. One Wudu boy even said, "Gone are the images of the earthquake relief."
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Another "masterpiece" from james..... -_-
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Inregards to the police convoy of armour vehichles. During the time of the Tibet unrest in May,the western medias had posted a cropped picture of a green colour vechicle and infered as a police car rounding up the unrests.It has later turned out to be an ambulanc. Anothers have posted some archived pictures of soldiers in a movie recruits ,and sujested that armies had disguised as Tibetan monks & mixed in the riot population. James ,you should have showed more pictures of the armour convoy,may be from a different angle and show some insignia on the vehichles ,the licence plates which usually show whether these may belong to the government ,the police or to the banking services.
Good luck next time.
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So what's happening then?
Is the convoy military? medical? or police?
Reading what saulaan posted above, it seems that there is slow but systematic buildup of "peacekeeping forces" on the countryside. However, lawrence points out that this convoy may not have a military or police purpose, but rather relief or medical.
Any updates on this particular news?
By the way timbatu, there is a contradiction to your last statement in your post in#43 to your latest post in #59. Which is it, do you want respect and understanding or not? Don't bother replying, I already what the answer is, something vehement and particularly nasty, peppered with exclamation points all over.
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