CCP China tightens exit restrictions across multiple regions

 Direct Translation

Taking the first step towards North Korea-like policies, China tightens restrictions across multiple regions

—Beijing tightens control measures again? Mid-level managers in state-owned enterprises must obtain approval to leave Beijing; netizens exclaim "North Korea-like" measures

Reporter : Wang Duruo / Editor: Fang Xun / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0512/2382797.html

Recently, a post about Beijing strengthening controls on the movement of personnel within the system has sparked heated discussion on the X platform.

On the 9th, a netizen named "Pathfinder" posted, "Beijing has now gone so far as to require even mid-level cadres of state-owned enterprises under ordinary ministries to report their departure from Beijing—not even abroad, just leaving Beijing—regardless of whether it's for official or private purposes. Is this necessary? Is it really necessary?"

The post quickly gained significant attention, with many netizens confirming that similar measures had already been implemented in many parts of the country, but now Beijing has also begun to tighten them across the board.

Some netizens pointed out that the "reporting mechanism" established during the pandemic has not ended but has been retained indefinitely.

"It's been like this since the beginning of the pandemic, and after the pandemic ended, this management method was directly continued."

Netizens from Tianjin, Guangxi, and other places also stated that local civil servants and public institution employees had long been required to report their departure from the city.

"Tianjin started this a while ago; serving civil servants are required to report when leaving the city."

"In a certain area of ​​Guangxi, grassroots public institutions have always required reporting when leaving the autonomous region, it was suspended for a while, but has now resumed."

What is even more shocking to many is that, besides civil servants, some doctors, state-owned enterprise cadres, and even ordinary public institution employees are also facing increasingly strict travel restrictions.

One netizen revealed: "Now, even top doctors in provincial capitals have to report when leaving the province."

An insider also said that passports and Hong Kong and Macau travel permits have been uniformly collected for years, making international travel virtually impossible.

"A friend within the system said that even domestic tourism is difficult now. Others don't ask for leave, so it's very awkward for you to ask for leave alone. As for international travel, forget about it; passports have long been confiscated."

Some netizens believe that this practice reflects a growing security anxiety within the CCP.

Some described it as "the first step towards North Korea-ization," while others sarcastically remarked, "The Qing Dynasty kept princes in the capital to prevent them from plotting rebellions. Now they're guarding against mid-level state-owned enterprise cadres to this extent; it shows how weak the authorities are."

Of course, some supporters argued that government-funded personnel "should be available at a moment's notice," and that stricter control is "normal."

However, a large number of comments indicate that the real discontent comes from within the system. One person bluntly stated, "Eighty percent of the comments are from their own people criticizing it because their interests have been affected."

In recent years, the CCP has continuously strengthened political security and social stability. From health codes and travel codes during the pandemic to the current centralized storage of passports within the system, approval for leaving Beijing, and registration for inter-provincial travel, more and more people are worried that Chinese society is gradually moving towards a more closed and high-pressure "quasi-wartime management."

Aboluowang commentator Wang Duren commented: In the past, the CCP mainly controlled the people; now even those within the system are under tight surveillance. Passport surrender, approval for leaving Beijing, and registration for inter-provincial travel show that what the authorities truly fear is not just public discontent, but also internal loss of control. When even the ruling class begins to lose its freedom, the CCP's foundation of rule will become increasingly unstable. When even "its own people" begin to be guarded against, it often means that the regime has begun to fear its own collapse.

Greenland plans to add 3 U.S. military bases, reportedly included in U.S. territory

 Direct Translation

Breaking News! Trump's Grand Strategy takes a break! Greenland plans to add 3 U.S. Military Bases, reportedly included in U.S. territory

Editor: Zhongkang / Source: World Journal / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0512/2382902.html / Image : An F-16 lands at Pituffik Space Base (DVIDS)

The BBC, citing multiple sources and officials, reports that amid the ongoing Iraq War, the US and Denmark have been secretly negotiating for months to expand the US troop presence in Greenland. The US has proposed three additional military bases in southern Greenland, which would be formally designated as US territory. While negotiations have made some progress, no formal agreement has been reached, and the final number of bases could still change.

The report indicates that the negotiations are being led by senior State Department official Michael Needham, with the two sides meeting at least five times since mid-January. In contrast, Jeff Landry, the Greenland envoy appointed by Trump and the governor of Louisiana, has been largely absent from the actual negotiations.

Officials interviewed by the BBC stated that these bases would be located in southern Greenland, aiming to monitor potential Russian and Chinese maritime activities in the North Atlantic. This area, located between Greenland, Iceland, and the UK, is known as the GIUK Gap.

One of the new bases is likely to be located in Narsarsuaq, on the site of a former U.S. military base that once housed a small airfield. Analysts suggest other new bases may also be located in areas with existing infrastructure such as airports or ports, as upgrading existing sites is less costly than building entirely new facilities.

The report indicates that U.S. officials did not raise the possibility or method of forcibly seizing control of Greenland during the negotiations. Trump's repeated threats earlier this year to use force to take control of Greenland sparked transatlantic tensions.

The White House confirmed that high-level talks are underway with Greenland and Denmark but declined to comment on details. A White House official told the BBC that the government is very optimistic that the negotiations are moving in the right direction. Denmark has previously expressed its willingness to discuss the establishment of additional US military bases in Greenland, and the Danish Foreign Ministry has also confirmed that it is negotiating with the US. A spokesperson stated that communication with the U.S. continues through diplomatic channels, and no further details will be provided at this time.

The United States currently maintains one military base in Greenland, the Pituffik Space Base, located in northwestern Greenland. It monitors missiles for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) but is not configured for maritime surveillance. During the Cold War, the US had as many as 17 military facilities in Greenland.

The U.S. and Denmark signed a defense agreement in 1951, granting the US considerable leeway to expand its military operations in Greenland, subject to Danish government approval.

Suvarnabhumi plane-spotting : PTT Station Cafe Amazon Long Term Parking Observation Deck

 Photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Peña suggests Asfura consider Taiwan-Paraguay Partnership

Translation, editing by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Paraguayan President: Strongly suggests Honduran President consider Taiwan-Paraguay Partnership

Source: Central News Agency / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/5429269 / Image : President Peña of the Republic of Paraguay delivers a speech. (Photo by Tian Yuhua)

President Peña of Paraguay, a friendly nation, is visiting Taiwan today. In an interview with the Central News Agency, he revealed that he met with Honduran President Asfura during his transit through the United States on his way to Taiwan. He strongly suggested that Asfura consider the partnership between Paraguay and Taiwan; Asfura also expressed great interest in the cooperation experience between Paraguay and Taiwan.

After arriving in Taiwan early this morning, Peña (Santiago Peña) posted on social media that he met with Asfura during his transit through Los Angeles to attend the Milken Institute Global Conference.

Peña revealed that this was his second meeting with Asfura. During their first meeting, the two discussed the good relations between Paraguay and Taiwan. This time, he told Asfura that he would visit Taiwan to strengthen bilateral relations and reiterated Paraguay's determination to cooperate with Taiwan.

Peña mentioned that Asfura was very interested in Paraguay's experience and strongly suggested that Asfra look at Paraguay's partnership with Taiwan and its efforts in economic diversification and growth.

When asked if he mentioned Honduras's desire to restore diplomatic relations with Taiwan, Peña smiled and said that he had not discussed that detail but Paraguay's open support for Taiwan was no secret. Asfura clearly knew that Paraguay was not only an ally of Taiwan but also a strong advocate, just as he ensured that the issue of Taiwan's recognition was addressed at the United Nations.

Peña emphasized, "Asfura is clearly aware of this."

Peña led a delegation to Taiwan from 7 to 10 May 2026 for a state visit, and gave an exclusive interview to the Central News Agency on his first day in Taiwan.

Image : Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (right) attended the "Honorary Doctorate Conferment Ceremony for President Benítez de la Régis of the Republic of Paraguay." At the ceremony, President Yen Chia-yu (left) of National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) presented the honorary doctorate to President Benítez de la Régis (center). They then posed for a group photo afterward. (Photo by Tien Yu-hua)

Rubio, as substitute White House spokesperson, can tell jokes

 Direct Translation

Editor : Li Guangsong / Source: Up Media / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0507/2380898.html / Image : Rubio, acting as substitute White House spokesperson, spontaneously added a few jokes to his own story, immediately increasing the topicality of the press conference. (AFP)

White House Press Secretary Levitt's speaking style has been described as combative. Her fast-paced, confident, and unambiguous official pronouncements have been met with mixed reactions. She began maternity leave last week, and who would replace her was a topic of interest for White House reporters. However, it seems the White House is temporarily planning for multiple officials to take turns, including Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, and even Trump himself. In the past two days, American media have almost universally noted that Rubio, running the first press briefing, is clearly "well-prepared."

Rubio has been instructed to handle the White House press briefing on 5 May 2026, primarily addressing issues related to the Middle East, Latin America, the Vatican, and oil prices. At the same time, many media outlets amplified anecdotes from Rubio's "debut as White House Press Secretary," including his abrupt switch to Spanish to answer questions about Venezuela, and when he called on a reporter in black, and a reporter in blue prepared to ask a question, Rubio immediately "corrected" him: "No, you're not wearing black, you're wearing blue. I'm colorblind, but I can distinguish blue from black!" (Rubio had previously admitted in 2012 that he was colorblind and needed his wife's help with clothing choices).

Many reporters captured these impromptu moments from Rubio, as the reactions were generally similar, and a knowing smile was normal. Of course, this was quite different from the atmosphere of White House press conferences hosted by Levitt, who was described as a "machine gun." Compared to Trump and other cabinet members who rarely made such jokes, Rubio seemed quite relaxed and at ease with reporters. His ability to directly communicate with Spanish-speaking reporters (speaking in Spanish and then repeating in English) became a unique and significant feature of his appearance.

It is undeniable that both Rubio and Vance are potential Republican candidates for the 2028 presidential election. On 5 May, Rubio appeared in the White House press room. When he tried to ease the atmosphere by saying to the large group of reporters, "Guys, it's a complete mess here," a White House reporter immediately replied, "Welcome to the White House." The reporter's double entendre was self-evident. Given this arrangement, the media could not help but consider the political significance of Rubio's statement.

In addition to his role as acting White House press secretary, Rubio, besides his primary job as Secretary of State, also serves as acting National Security Advisor. He previously served as acting Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development and acting Director of the National Archives. Some have used AI to dress Rubio in clothing representing different professional roles, implying that he could be entrusted with important responsibilities at any time. Compared to Vance, who has consistently advocated for restraint in U.S. military intervention overseas, Rubio is known for his hawkish stance. However, these occasional "softer" news stories have somewhat softened his sharp image.

While both Vance and Rubio have carefully avoided portraying themselves as potential 2028 candidates, it is difficult to suppress American curiosity about who will succeed them. Trump has praised Vance's talent and said Rubio will be the best Secretary of State in American history. As of now, it is indeed difficult to assess who Trump prefers, but it is certain that Trump understands Vance and Rubio are very different types of people. Regarding the current Iran war, Vance has clearly been "trying hard to talk about anything but the war" in public, while Rubio is very enthusiastic about defending the war. When Trump described the duo as a hammer (Rubio) and a velvet glove (Vance), it might be an intentional attempt to balance their roles within the government's established plans. Given this balance, Trump is even less likely to choose a successor now.

On another note, having Rubio and Vance take turns facing White House reporters during Levitt's maternity leave could also be a kind of "test." After all, being a "White House correspondent" is considered the highest honor in American political journalism, and many of the correspondents are highly respected or known for their shrewdness and sharp wit. Levitt's rise to prominence is partly due to her willingness to "talk back" to heavyweight journalists, that, while drawing both praise and criticism, has certainly pleased Trump. However, Rubio (and Vance, who has not even taken the stage yet), given their primary roles, cannot afford to be as "unrestrained" as Levitt. Standing on the White House press dais, they must be able to handle the White House press secretary while also remembering Rubio's identity as Secretary of State. The balance of their statements and their style is naturally more challenging than Levitt's.

It was precisely under this expected caution that Rubio spontaneously added a few humorous remarks, immediately increasing the topicality of the press conference.

Therefore, this press conference was not just about increasing Rubio's exposure (he does not really need that kind of exposure), but more importantly, it was an opportunity to see how Rubio would handle the "small-scale resistance" from senior reporters in the tense atmosphere of the press room, given the "confrontational relationship" between the U.S. government and White House reporters. White House reporters, in particular, are known for their loud questions, interruptions and difficulty in management.

Now it seems Rubio's first experience as White House spokesperson was more than just a "pass."

Editor: Li Guangsong Source: Up Media Please indicate the author and source when reprinting and keep the content intact.

Article URL: https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0507/2380898.html

Drone spying incidents in CCP China

 Direct Translation

A woman was soaking in a private hot spring on her hotel terrace when a drone flew back and forth outside

Editor: Tang Ying / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2026/05/07/a104093853.html / Image : Hot spring illustration. Video screenshot

During the May Day holidays, at a hot spring hotel in Shaoguan, Guangdong, a woman was soaking in the private hot spring on her room's terrace when she suddenly noticed a drone flying back and forth outside. She immediately called the police.

According to reports from mainland media, Ms. Chen (pseudonym), the woman involved, shared her experience on social media. She stated that she and her family stayed at the Yinxue Hotel (High-Speed ​​Railway Station Branch) in Shaoguan, Guangdong. At 10:40 am on 3 May, she was soaking in the hot spring on her room's terrace without clothes on when she suddenly noticed a drone flying back and forth and hovering outside. Ms. Chen stated that she was soaking in the hot spring pool alone, using her phone, with her back to the outside. "I first heard some noise, initially thinking it was construction outside. Then I sensed something was wrong and saw a drone reflected in the glass door of the terrace. I immediately had my family in the room contact the hotel front desk to report the situation."

Ms. Chen explained that her private hot spring was located on the rooftop terrace of her room, surrounded by fencing. The hot spring was close to the room and normally completely private, not visible from the outside. However, the drone could see into the hot spring from above. Ms. Chen was worried about being spied on and felt very uncomfortable, so she called the police after the incident.

On 5 May 2026, the hotel manager responded that hotel security personnel immediately took measures to stop the drone. Subsequent investigation revealed that the drone was flown by a child brought by another hotel guest and was not equipped with camera or video recording functions. Local police have punished the guest involved.

Drone spying in mainland China : Drone spying incidents are not uncommon

On 6 April 2025, Ms. Song, a Shanghai resident, exposed on social media that while she and her family were bathing at the Tangliande Hot Spring Resort (Changqing Branch) in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, they discovered a drone hovering overhead for an extended period.

Ms. Song stated that many female customers in the hot spring were bathing naked, and she was concerned that her privacy and that of other guests was being violated. She immediately contacted the hot spring resort staff, but the drone remained hovering in the air for half an hour before flying away. Outraged, Ms. Song reported the incident to the police.

MAC condemns CCP for repressing Taiwan's Interior Minister's Nephew

 Direct Translation

Taiwan's Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang's Nephew subjected to cross-border repression by the CCP; Mainland Affairs Council condemns the actions

Editor: Tang Zixuan / Image : Song Bilong/Epoch Times / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2026/05/07/a104093847.html

The CCP continues its military threats against Taiwan while simultaneously using egregious methods to coerce Taiwanese businesses operating in China. Recently, CCP state media extensively reported on the dismissal of Taiwan's Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang's nephew from a Taiwanese company operating in China. In response, the Mainland Affairs Council strongly condemned the CCP's use of "cross-border repression" to force Taiwanese businesses to make political statements, which has seriously damaged cross-strait relations.

On 6 May 2026, Xinhua News Agency, CCTV, and other state media outlets reported that on 5 May 2026, Jiangxi Shanggao Rongtan Technology Co., Ltd. issued a statement announcing that, effective 7 April 2026, it had dismissed Yan Wenqun from all positions at its mainland subsidiaries, including Taiwan Rongtan Technology Co., Ltd. and Shanggao Rongtan Technology Co., Ltd. The authorities deliberately promoted this report as a trending topic.

In response, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) issued a press release on May 6 strongly condemning the CCP's use of "cross-border repression" tactics, its intensified manipulation of the "Taiwan independence financier" list, and its attempt to coerce Taiwanese businesses into political statements, thereby creating a chilling effect on Taiwanese businesses. The MAC stated that the CCP's repeated use of unscrupulous methods has severely damaged normal investment and business operations by Taiwanese businesses and cross-strait relations.

The MAC pointed out that over the past 35 years, Taiwanese businesses have made significant contributions to China's economic development and social employment, and their investment and business operations in mainland China should be legally protected. To achieve specific political goals, the CCP has successively established a "Taiwan independence financier" list, accused Taiwanese businesses of "biting the hand that feeds them," and even enacted regulations in 2024, using various irrational and malicious means to intimidate and threaten Taiwanese businesses into political statements.

The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) warned Taiwanese businesses to carefully consider their investments in mainland China to avoid threats and harm to their personal safety and property. The CCP claims that "mainland China is the best choice for Taiwanese businesses and residents to invest and develop their businesses," but in reality, political and economic risks are constantly increasing. Anyone deemed not to support the CCP's political stance on cross-strait unification or to support "Taiwan independence" will face investigations and cross-border repression.

An informed official told Taiwan's *Liberty Times* that the MAC will release countermeasures against the CCP's cross-border repression as early as the 7th, or explain them at a regular press conference. Liu Shifang's nephew, a project manager, previously worked for Rongtan Company, located in Jiangxi Province. The Jiangxi provincial government and Shanggao County are very unfriendly to Taiwanese businesses.

The official indicated that the government will issue a warning first, stating that "Jiangxi is not a good place to invest." Since Jiangxi is unfriendly to Taiwanese businesses, any exchanges between the province and Taiwan will be "strictly scrutinized."

The official criticized the CCP for its fervent nationalism. After Yan Wenqun was named by CCP state media, he resigned voluntarily for fear of implicating innocent people, regardless of whether the company was in China or Taiwan. He emphasized that the CCP had been pressuring the company to issue a statement, so this was just hindsight. "Because we had previously told Yan to return to Taiwan quickly, as the CCP could arbitrarily arrest people at any time, and now he is safely in Taiwan."

According to SET News, Liu Shih-fang attended a meeting of the Internal Affairs Committee on the morning of the 7th. In a pre-meeting interview, she stated that the Ministry of the Interior's position was completely consistent with the Mainland Affairs Council's statement. "I also want to especially remind Taiwanese citizens to think carefully before going to mainland China," otherwise their personal safety and property will be threatened and intimidated. She urged everyone to think carefully.

Liu Shih-fang emphasized that she remains the same: Taiwan is a democratic and rule-of-law society, and as an official of the Republic of China government, she handles all matters legally and compliantly according to the laws of the Republic of China. Her stance on defending Taiwan's democratic way of life and defending Taiwan's national sovereignty remains unchanged. "I am simply reiterating my position."