Introduction

Communist China and Russia have long been criticized for their stringent control over free speech and the systematic suppression of dissent. Both nations employ a variety of tactics to silence opposition, including social media censorship, financial lawsuits against CEOs, and fabricated charges against critics. These methods are designed to maintain the ruling party’s grip on power and eliminate any threats to their authority.

Social Media Censorship

In China, the government exerts tight control over the internet and social media platforms. The Great Firewall of China is a notorious example of this censorship, blocking access to numerous foreign websites and social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Domestic platforms such as WeChat and Weibo are heavily monitored, with algorithms and human censors swiftly removing content deemed politically sensitive. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) uses these measures to prevent the spread of information that could incite dissent or organize protests.

Similarly, in Russia, the government has increased its control over the internet in recent years. The Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor) routinely blocks websites and social media content that criticizes the government or promotes opposition. The Russian government also employs a vast network of internet trolls and bots to spread propaganda and discredit opposition voices online.

Financial Lawsuits Against CEOs

Both China and Russia use financial lawsuits as a tool to target and suppress influential business leaders who pose a threat to the ruling regime. In China, high-profile cases such as the disappearance of Alibaba founder Jack Ma highlight the government’s willingness to use financial regulations and legal threats to control powerful entrepreneurs. Ma’s criticism of China’s financial regulatory system led to the suspension of the Ant Group’s IPO and a subsequent crackdown on his businesses.

In Russia, the government has a history of using financial lawsuits to target CEOs and business owners who oppose President Vladimir Putin’s regime. The most notable case is that of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former CEO of Yukos Oil, who was arrested on charges of fraud and tax evasion after he began funding opposition parties. Khodorkovsky’s prosecution was widely seen as politically motivated and aimed at silencing a prominent critic of Putin.

Suppression of Free Speech

Free speech is severely restricted in both China and Russia. In China, the media is tightly controlled by the state, and journalists who report on sensitive topics such as corruption, human rights abuses, or government malfeasance face harassment, detention, and imprisonment. The CCP also enforces strict regulations on academic freedom, with scholars who challenge the official narrative being censored or dismissed from their positions.

In Russia, the government has enacted laws that criminalize the dissemination of “fake news” and “extremist content,” which are often used to target independent media and journalists. Prominent journalists and activists who criticize the government face threats, physical attacks, and even assassination. The murders of journalists Anna Politkovskaya and Boris Nemtsov are stark reminders of the dangers faced by those who speak out against the Kremlin.

Election Control and Communication Suppression

In both China and Russia, elections are tightly controlled by the ruling parties. In China, candidates for political office are appointed by the Communist Party and run unopposed, ensuring that no genuine opposition can emerge. This practice extends to local elections, where even the smallest positions of power are filled by party loyalists. Communication with the public about political issues is heavily censored, and any attempt to discuss or criticize the government is quickly shut down. In Russia, while there are technically opposition candidates, they are often marginalized, harassed, or disqualified through legal and bureaucratic means, ensuring that President Vladimir Putin and his allies remain unchallenged. Only party loyalists are appointed to government positions. Public discussions on political issues are suppressed, and independent gatherings are frequently disrupted by authorities.

Elimination of Opponents and Fabricated Charges

The elimination of political opponents through fabricated charges is a common tactic in both China and Russia. In China, dissidents, human rights lawyers, and activists are frequently detained on charges such as “subversion of state power” or “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” These vague charges allow the government to imprison critics without substantial evidence. High-profile dissidents like Liu Xiaobo and Ai Weiwei have faced imprisonment and constant surveillance as a result of their activism.

In Russia, political opponents are often arrested on trumped-up charges to neutralize their influence. Alexei Navalny, a prominent opposition leader, has been repeatedly detained on charges ranging from embezzlement to violating probation. Navalny’s poisoning in 2020, widely attributed to the Russian government, further underscores the lengths to which the Kremlin will go to eliminate its opponents.

Surveillance and Monitoring

Both China and Russia utilize extensive surveillance systems to monitor their populations, particularly during times of civil unrest. In China, the government has deployed a vast network of surveillance cameras equipped with facial recognition technology, allowing authorities to track individuals’ movements and identify participants in protests. This system, combined with the monitoring of online activity and communications, creates an environment where dissent is easily detected and suppressed. Russia also employs surveillance to control its population, using technology to monitor political gatherings and opposition activities. During protests, authorities can quickly identify and detain organizers and participants, stifling any potential for large-scale dissent.

Personal Story: A Lifetime Opposing Oppression

My perspective on communism and the suppression of free speech is deeply personal. I was born in Taiwan, where my mother who lived in Manchuria China, was separated from her family due to the brutal invasion of Japan. The horrors of that time included the killing of millions and the widespread rape of women, leaving lasting scars on those who survived. My uncle was a fighter pilot fighting communists after World War Two and was captured and spent years in prison tol he escaped. He was reunited with my aunt and mother in Taiwan where my mother escaped the chines communists.

My mother lost track of her family for 30 years until I discovered they were alive and living in Russia. This discovery happened in 1980 when I was on temporary duty with the Air Force in Japan and sought out a family friend my mom had an address for that knew her mother.. Unfortunately, my father, being in the military, could not travel to Russia, and my mother could only sit by as her three remaining brothers, sister, and mother passed away. She read letters with teary eyes from her family, knowing freedom of travel was restricted for outsiders. Although the situation changed when the Soviet Union fell, today’s environment reflects a similarly authoritarian regime.

As a child, I lived in Cambodia and experienced firsthand the terror of communist oppression. My dad was stationed in the embassy there to translate French documents just before the communist took over, We were airlifted out of Phnom Penh, a harrowing event featured in the movie “The Killing Fields,” which highlighted the killing of 2 million people by the communists and the severe oppression of free rights. My sister at 10 years old was interviewed by cbs news when we landed in Saigon. It is a haunting reminder of my youth that to this day of the absence of humanity in regimes who are the majority. Millions where killed by Stalin and by Mao in China are more examples of tyranny

The memory of a family friend who was killed in Vietnam fighting for freedom remains a powerful reminder of the costs of resisting tyranny.

I served six years in the Air Force Reserve, driven by a dad who served and my own commitment to protect the freedoms that so many in my family had lost. My uncle and grandfather were killed by firing squad when the Russians invaded Manchuria, and the rest of the family was captured and sent to Kazakhstan. These experiences have instilled in me a deep aversion to any form of government that oppresses individual freedoms and rewards party loyalty with special treatment and privileges.

Environmental Degradation and Loss of Freedoms 

The loss of environmental quality and personal freedoms in China is starkly evident in its cities, many of which rank among the world’s most polluted. The government’s prioritization of rapid industrial growth over environmental protection has led to severe air pollution, with coal plants contributing significantly to the problem. Later in my career, I visited China for work during the Olympics and experienced firsthand the dire air quality in Shanghai, where the smog from coal plants was so thick it obscured vision beyond 100 feet on a clear day—a stark reminder of a government disregarding the health of its population. This environmental degradation is a direct consequence of policies that suppress dissent and prioritize economic prosperity over the well-being of citizens, reflecting a broader disregard for individual rights and freedoms.

The suppression of free speech and dissent in communist China and Russia is a stark reminder of the lengths authoritarian regimes will go to maintain power. Through social media censorship, financial lawsuits, suppression of free speech, the elimination of opponents through fabricated charges, and extensive surveillance, both nations have created environments where dissent is not tolerated. My own experiences and the history of my family illustrate the profound human cost of such repression.These experiences fuel my passion for protecting individual rights and opposing any oppression of freedoms within the United States. I advocate for the fair treatment of all individuals and am deeply committed to the rights of women, members of the LGTBQ+ and minorities. Not because I’m woke and align with policies of the left but because I believe in personal freedom. Additionally, I am dedicated to upholding the right of individuals to express their opinions without fear of harassment. It deeply saddens me when such freedoms are undermined in the country I cherish for its commitment to individual rights and freedom of expression. Without it, we are no longer the country driven by fundamental human rights,

The international community must continue to advocate for the protection of human rights and the promotion of free speech in these repressive regimes. Equally important, we must ensure that these same freedoms are never restricted in the United States by corporations, government or any institution.