Xi Jinping's 'criticism campaign' triggers online parody and sex jokes
Chinese president Xi Jinping’s recent "criticism and self-criticism" campaign might have brought a few soul-searching Hebei cadres to the brink of shedding shameful tears, yet it has failed miserably in impressing the masses.
During four separate half-day meetings Xi attended himself with standing committee members of Hebei's provincial party committee this week, officials criticised themselves and their colleagues, pointing out issues such as bureaucracy and lavish spending.
One official revealed to People’s Daily that while he was working on his self-criticism speech, he felt so ashamed of “what he had become” that it brought him to the verge of tears several times.
Yet Chinese readers quickly pointed out that it was really a campaign of “praise myself and others” judging by the “flattering” tone of some criticism and the doomed-to-fail nature of the campaign.
“This whole campaign is a perfect example of bureaucracy,” a microblogger wrote.
“Why don’t they start criticising the size of their bank accounts and personal assets?,” another one suggested. The comment was immediately seconded by others.