Hi western China watchers, I’m here to explain why it’s important to subscribe quality Chinese-language news outlets, even if you might not understand the language (lol). /1

Firstly, yes China has strict censorship and HK has NSL. But both have passionate and great journalists who continue doing reporting on the ground. They are important sources for you to learn about China, when foreign journo now get kicked out/rejected visa /2

Secondly, you might think authoritarianism kills journalism, but it’s actually money. Chinese journalists have v low rates (even lower than the west) and many quit jobs merely because they couldn’t make a living. /3

Thirdly, thanks to currency exchange rate, it’s actually not a lot of money for a westerner to subscribe a Chinese-language news outlet. So if it costs you little money and you can save journalism, then why not? Reading quality news is better than some BS tweets, IMO /4

And finally, in the future if anyone attack your “China watcher” position, show them you subscribe quality Chinese news. This proves you are the real China watchers, and they are not. End