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Comment by pb7 | Hacker News Reader

I trust my government to not infringe on my free speech but I don’t trust that another government that doesn’t have good diplomatic relations with mine doesn’t detain me if I happen to fly through one of their airports because of my beliefs. I avoid China and Chinese airlines because I don’t feel like censoring myself on the internet. Luckily China doesn’t have too many allies.

For reference:

https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/overseas-chinese-1021...

https://www.propublica.org/article/even-on-us-campuses-china...

https://www.thecollegefix.com/ccp-targeted-chinese-students-...

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The Chinese police has little to no power to arrest you if you are an American citizen while you are in America, legally not at all, and practically they would need to expend great effort to do so. The American police has a "god gifted" power to arrest and kill you while you are in America, both legally and practically. These are simple, plain facts of the geopolitics and how governments are organized.

Moreover any such Chinese agents if caught will go through some rather unpleasant processes, does not seem usually the case for American cops even brazenly caught in various misdeeds.

>while you are in America

I’m not talking about while I’m in America. I travel outside of the country.

If the CCP can make billionaires disappear, they can make you disappear too.

Of course the CCP is your biggest threat when you are in their territory, just like how the American government is your biggest threat back home. Actually not even only in your home, given its extraditionary powers which I haven't checked but should be one of the stronger ones when it comes to 'extradited to usa'. Either case, on American territory and especially as an American citizen, the American police and American government is your biggest threat vs any other foreign power.

Again, I don’t have a choice in the matter if I want to live in the US. But I don’t have to open myself up to authoritarian governments who have a track record for targeting those who participate in free speech in other countries.

The consent referred to by the other commenter is entirely fabricated and false. I challenge anyone within the US to show the contract giving the current administration explicit consent to govern us.

This level of narrative and dogmatic belief is how governments gain influence. They're simply the local bullies. If you need proof, look at how much they put into caring about struggling people. I.e. next to nothing. Our country betrays us daily and has the gall to demand obedience. We are not dogs.

And also, you do have influence, as one of the citizens by whose consent the government governs. Not so much with countries you aren't citizen of.

I think that's a other huge reason to not let China into our kid's hands. If it was a country that is well known for building and maintaining diplomatic relationships that would be great.

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