China’s state media puts stop to April Fool’s Day pranks as they ‘go against socialist values’

The Western tradition of April Fool’s Day has become popular in communist-ruled China in recent years, as a once deeply solemn and obedient society learns to use the occasion to play jokes and spread hoaxes.

But the leadership, or at least its propaganda arms, apparently view the stunts as too politically sensitive.

“The April Fool’s Day celebrations agree with neither China’s socialist core values, nor Chinese tradition,” Xinhua said today. “Please don’t believe, spread or create rumours,” it said on its weibo account.

The warning by state media comes amid political tension surrounding the controversial Maoist ideological campaign as well as unease over social instability.

The Xinhua article seemed to be a pre-emptive effort to stymie any rumour-mongers or satirical political jokes.