A territory far from Beijing is absorbed into China—and changed forever. Under specially negotiated terms, its people are promised considerable autonomy and the preservation of their distinctive lifestyle. Those with deep local roots—even those who don’t share China’s Marxist predilections—are allowed to hold positions of power and defend the interests of their people. Then, in the capital, a charismatic strongman grows impatient. The experiment ends in sadness and suffering.

Source: Wall Street Journal June 19, 2020 14:59 UTC