That’s an altogether new type of dissident, Shirley.

Not that he’s not right technically, but if only the saints can judge anyone, then I guess everything’s allowed.

I appreciate the call for introspection, but I think human rights violations should be criticized regardless, and even more widely than currently. I don’t care who does it - it’s everyone’s duty.

Special attention should be focused on severe and extensive violations.

Example: should we not criticize Iran for killing protesters? Should we not criticize Russia for attempting to conquer Ukraine and bombing civilians? Should we not criticize Israel for bombing civilians and starving Gaza’s population? Those are severe and extensive violations. If nobody makes a fuss, they become normality.

As for China… violations in China are extensive. Millions of people are affected by detainment, coercive relocation or forced labour programs. National identities of minority peoples are being erased, people are relocated by force or imprisoned if they oppose. People’s languages and customs are being banned from public life and education, religious minorities are discriminated against. Some violations are also severe (death penalty is meted out regularly for those who oppose too much).

I note: an average European country can criticize that without looking hypocritical.

Yesterday I criticized my own country, today I will criticize another country, and I expect politicians to meet the same standard.

“But whattabout…”

One can legitimately criticize another while still having vices of their own. This does not diminish the criticism, only lack of truth would do that.

I have plenty of personal issues I need to work on… that doesn’t mean I have no right to criticize others for their issues. Especially if they refuse to even acknowledge them, much less work to overcome them.

It affects value judgments such as “We’re better than you because…” but those are pointless and petty statements, and don’t deserve critical thought anyways.

AI? That’s a downvote. /s

What holds him back to return to China then?

It always did. The US causes a greater net harm on the world than all your favorite “authoritarian regimes” combined.

As if China isn’t one of Israel’s biggest trading partners.

Legit.

I genuinely believe that the most important steps any American who is concerned about human rights abuses in foreign countries can make is to remedy the flagrant human rights abuses they see at home.

Freedom and rights don’t really come from governments: they come from what people demand and the restrictions they impose on their leaders. So if you want safety for the Uygers, for instance, you don’t go reprimand Xi Jinping: you treat Muslims in your own country well, and you treat visiting Chinese nationals well, and popularize principles of a free society internationally through actions.

Weiwei is right: we need less talk, more action.

Sadly, this is kinda true now.