News Analysis The story of H&M in China is the story of a global brand getting bullied into not only silence on human rights issues, but likely active support for the priorities of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). H&M is a small entity compared with the CCP, which controls an economy of $14.7 trillion ($24.3 trillion when considering how far a dollar goes in China). H&M, a fast-fashion clothing manufacturer, has just about $1.8 billion in annual revenue. H&M’s leadership is desperate to increase that number by expanding in China’s market. Doing so will increase its personal marketability and compensation. Helena Helmersson, H&M’s chief executive officer, made over $14 million in compensation in 2020. But to increase her earning power yet further through higher sales in China, she apparently must ensure that H&M appeases the CCP, which is a gatekeeper for the company’s access to 1.4 billion Chinese consumers. As …