We’ve now reached day 190 of no internet in Xinjiang and the “gradual” reopening promised by the authorities has failed to materialize. “Be patient” they tell us. “We’ll give you back your freedom soon”.

But how much freedom will be restored in the end?

A select few organizations picked up on a small news item that I think might have been more significant than people realize. An amendment was made to a public security law that regulates how the government deals with and responds to security threats. This law was first established in 1991 after a few riots and demonstrations in Xinjiang started gaining international attention. It was amended in 1994 after the Baren riot and again in 1997 right after another major uprising – the Gulja riots in Yili – and now it will be revised once more to allow for more control of the “Three Evil Forces” (separatism, religious extremism, and terrorism).

Most of the changes in this new amendment are common sense and a bit boring (“clarify the responsibilities of each security department” and “increase government funding”) but one particular detail stuck out to me: a new regulation on the internet (excuse me…what internet?). This is according to an interview with Liu Keqin, (not accessible outside Xinjiang – Xinhua report here) an official responsible for the amendment, concerning one of the changes that will take place on February 1st:

This leaves me to wonder just how this “strengthening” is going to be put into practice. Some people I have asked about this speculate that some activities such as QQ or chat forums, will never be reopened. Others tell me they will be heavily, heavily, monitored. One thing is for sure: the internet will never be the same.

China already has the famous “Great Firewall” protecting its borders. I have a feeling that one is quietly being built around Xinjiang as well.