acm-header
Sign In

Communications of the ACM

Letters to the editor

More on Computing's Divided Future


Letters to the Editor, illustration

Credit: iStockPhoto.com

Thank you so much for addressing the danger posed by the current Chinese government's imperialistic ambitions, using every tool at its disposal, including technology and foreign visitors (January 2022 Communications Editor's Letter). Considering how we have come to accept Chinese government atrocities in Tibet, you were at least honest enough to remind us of how Hong Kong is being subjugated, to the detriment of diversity. As reported in the New York Times (Jan. 30, 2022): "The Chinese Communist Party has found the best model for controlling people," "honed its powers to track and corral people, backed by upgraded technology …". "This amounts to a potent techno-authoritarian tool."

I would, however, contest the assertion "The situation is not one-sided" as contrasted with China's "… stark undermining of Hong Kong's basic law, and the violent suppression of its free press …" versus "the U.S. government has taken actions that discourage collaboration with Chinese institutions and researchers. Companies have been put on the entity list, blocking contact, and universities labeled as having military ties, limiting their students' study in the U.S." It is a matter of China's policy, practice, or advocacy of extending power and dominion versus the U.S. defending itself from attack and infiltration.


 

No entries found

Log in to Read the Full Article

Sign In

Sign in using your ACM Web Account username and password to access premium content if you are an ACM member, Communications subscriber or Digital Library subscriber.

Need Access?

Please select one of the options below for access to premium content and features.

Create a Web Account

If you are already an ACM member, Communications subscriber, or Digital Library subscriber, please set up a web account to access premium content on this site.

Join the ACM

Become a member to take full advantage of ACM's outstanding computing information resources, networking opportunities, and other benefits.
  

Subscribe to Communications of the ACM Magazine

Get full access to 50+ years of CACM content and receive the print version of the magazine monthly.

Purchase the Article

Non-members can purchase this article or a copy of the magazine in which it appears.
Sign In for Full Access
» Forgot Password? » Create an ACM Web Account