New song celebrates China’s President Xi ‘Dada’ Jinping despite push against nickname
Provincial agency puts latest tribute online but overseas media report that Beijing has banned use of nickname originally designed to bolster his image
Yet another musical tribute to President Xi Jinping has been promoted by a provincial authority, despite reports that Beijing is trying to discourage use of a positive nickname for the leader.
The song, with a title roughly translated as “Xi Dada comes to our home”, was posted on Monday on the official WeChat account of the cyberspace watchdog in Anhui province.
It recalls Xi’s visit to Anhui last month, when he discussed reforms and poverty-relief policies with officials and villagers, and called on officials to listen to intellectuals.
The song’s release came as authorities reportedly try to rein in the popular nickname “Xi Dada” – a term of endearment that literally means “Big daddy Xi” in the dialect of his hometown.
Overseas media – citing statemedia employees – said the term “Xi Dada” had been banned among mainland media outlets, as the authorities had been trying to tone down the rhetoric portraying Xi as “a populist hero”.
The song was sung by a relatively unknown singer from Anhui, Li Hongyu, who also wrote the lyrics.
Li reportedly said he was inspired to write the song after hearing Xi was visiting his hometown.
In the video of the song – viewed more than 45,000 times on the first day it was posted on video website Youku – the music is accompanied by still images showing Xi talking to villagers and officials during his Anhui trip.
The song is the latest in a growing list of musical tributes to Xi since he took power more than three years ago.
Critics said the personality cult surrounding Xi greatly exceeded those of his predecessors; some people even compare him with Mao Zedong.
Another song with lyrics that include, “If you want to marry, marry someone like Xi Dada, a man full of heroism with an unyielding sprit”, was circulated widely this year.
