From the one-child policy to online shopping: the catchphrases of 40 years of Chinese slogans
- Painting slogans on walls has long been a valued messaging practice in China
In the 1980s, they were used to publicise official campaigns such as the war on poverty. In recent years, they have been used to promote commercial products, from car brands to dietary supplements.
Whether by the government or business, slogans on walls have long been a popular way of getting a message across in China, particularly in rural areas.
Here’s a look at how the use of slogans and advertisements in rural areas has changed in China over the past four decades.
Poverty alleviation
In the 1980s and 1990s, people were encouraged to work diligently to lift themselves out of poverty.
Many made money by starting businesses and becoming role models, and there was shame associated with a lack of material improvement, with slogans such as: “Those who get out of poverty are honoured. Those who remain in poverty prove themselves incapable.”