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NEW: US intelligence indicates that Xi’s sweeping military purge came after it emerged that corruption undermined his efforts to modernize the armed forces and raised questions about China’s ability to fight a war
Peter Martin
7,697 posts
Peter Martin
@PeterMartin_PCM
Africa and Middle East Correspondent for Bloomberg. Based in Nairobi. Author of a book on Chinese diplomacy.. All opinions my own
- So you're going crazy under lockdown? I know the feeling. I've been in Beijing for the last two months. My housemate is away and I'm thousands of miles from my family. I have some thoughts on how to make lockdown better. These won't apply to everyone, but they ring true for me:
- This is kind of spectacular x.com/smkdattazz/sta…
- Replying to @PeterMartin_PCM10) Above all, be forgiving. We’re all stressed. We all have different ways of coping. And we all experience moments when it's too much. If you or others don't live up to your usual standards, try to move on and get back to binge-watching your favorite crappy show. ENDS.
- Replying to @PeterMartin_PCM5) Don't hate yourself for not being constantly productive We trick ourselves into thinking all time at the office is well-spent. It’s not. Your day at home will include idle moments and that's ok. Even if it takes you to parts of YouTube that make you question your self-respect
- Replying to @PeterMartin_PCM6) Accept that you're stressed. You're worried about yourself. Your family. Your friends. The world. And there's a sense of fear in the air. Don't try to talk yourself out of it. Tell your friends. Write it down. Meditate. Exercise. Do whatever you need to do to deal with it.
- Replying to @PeterMartin_PCM… my social media feeds are full of anxiety-inducing outrage and doom-mongering. I need social media for my work, but I've started logging out of Twitter when I'm done with my workday and I'm limiting my time on Facebook. It helps.
- Replying to @PeterMartin_PCM4) Appreciate little changes that improve your life. In my part of Beijing, so few people have been on the streets that strangers now nod as they pass each other. It’s a small thing, but it's kind of beautiful and it reminds me of the small town in England where I grew up.
- Replying to @PeterMartin_PCM2) Have a routine. Fill it with stuff that makes you feel good. It might be home workouts, cooking, or learning something new. It might be a TV show that calms you (I've rewatched The Office and Parks and Rec). You'll get your work done, but don't let that become your only focus
- Replying to @PeterMartin_PCM1) Know things will get better. The first few weeks felt pretty oppressive, but now I'm kind of used to it. Even if the lockdown goes on longer than expected, you'll get used to your new environment and likely grow more comfortable with your own company.
- Replying to @PeterMartin_PCM7) Talking of stress, don't feel guilty that you're consumed with your own feelings when others (doctors, the elderly, the socially isolated) have it harder. Your stress is real too. And unless you deal with it properly, you won't be able to support others.
- A cyber-attack on San Francisco International Airport last month was carried out by state-sponsored Russian hackers, according to Eset
- Replying to @PeterMartin_PCM3) Be careful with technology. Seeing pictures of and doing video calls with loved ones has made this whole experience much easier to deal with. Don’t underestimate the difference between hearing someone say they're doing ok and seeing it with your own eyes. On the other hand…
- Confused about what exactly Xi and Trump promised each other yesterday? Here's a side-by-side comparison of the readouts from both sides. The U.S. on the left, China on the right bloomberg.com/news/articles/… @LucilleLiu @JDMayger @Jeffrey_black
