China ban Clubhouse app, used for political discussion
BEIJING (AP), 11th Feb 2021— Zeng Jiajun, a former tech worker, fell in love with social media app Clubhouse, a window through the ruling Communist Party’s pervasive censorship, after listening to a freewheeling discussion between members of China’s Uighur minority and Han majority that wound up lasting 12 hours.
Thousands of Chinese flocked to the app, which allowed unfettered discussion with people abroad about democracy, Taiwan and other sensitive topics at a time when President Xi Jinping’s government is increasingly hostile to independent voices.
“This kind of communication is rare,” Zeng said. “Hearing someone’s voice can make both sides realize we’re all human.”
On Monday, that window slammed shut when Chinese users lost access to Clubhouse, adding it to thousands of websi...