Exclusive | Xi Jinping to shake up propaganda, censorship chiefs as China’s image abroad suffers
Chinese president expected to appoint allies to top posts in corruption-plagued administrations
China is shaking up its propaganda and internet leadership as it tries to improve the country’s image abroad and ensure online views toe the Communist Party’s line, two sources briefed on the changes told the South China Morning Post.
The changes are also part of Beijing’s efforts to fix a propaganda and censorship system plagued by corruption and scandals, including the downfall of Lu Wei, the former Chinese cyberspace tsar whom Beijing labelled “tyrannical” and “shameless”.
As part of the shake-up, Chinese President Xi Jinping is installing allies in key posts, moves that could result in a loyal and effective team to improve China’s national image on the international stage just as it is coming under greater scrutiny from Washington to Canberra.
Xu Lin, who worked for Xi in Shanghai, is likely to take over as the party’s international propaganda chief.
Xu, 55, the head of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) since June 2016, was expected to take charge of the State Council Information Office and the party’s external propaganda arm, the sources said, replacing Jiang Jianguo.