Chinese citizens know too well how arbitrary political power can be: it always surprises me how many well-to-do Beijingers I meet have quietly arranged a foreign passport, just in case.

• 中国公民非常清楚政治权力会有多么专制：始终让我感到惊讶的是，我见到那么多富裕的北京人都默默地准备了一本外国护照，以防万一。