Jackie Cameron: Global tech titans under pressure

For the Beijing government, Covid-19 was undoubtedly a blessing to quell pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, which has occupied an uncomfortable grey zone of control since the 1997 handover. Lockdowns to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus quickly got independent-minded Hong Kong residents scuttling for cover early last year as they were reminded of the outbreak of SARS, a close relative of SARS-CoV-2, in 2003.

Yesterday, in a clear sign that Beijing has now got a firm grip on the former British colony, a police drill squad showed off its Chinese military-style march. BizNews Premium partner The Wall Street Journal describes it as the city marching to Beijing's tune.

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Also strictly obeying orders are China's global tech company titans. After Chinese billionaire Jack Ma's e-commerce giant Alibaba was fined $2.8bn by Chinese regulators for allegedly abusing its market position, about three dozen rushed out with public pledges to toe the line. Naspers-owned Tencent is among the companies in the crosshairs.

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