What’s in a name? For Shanghai Shenhua full back Wen Jiabao, it is a source of consternation for supporters of the Chinese Super League side on social media. Wen shares the same characters as China’s sixth premier Wen Jiabao, who was second in command to Hu Jintao from 2002 to 2012. The similarity to the politician, who was regarded as “the people’s premier” during his time in office, has forced football fans to find a way around falling foul of the censors when discussing the new signing. “A good indication of where China is at these days – Shenhua's recent signing Wen Jiabao shares exact same name as China's former premier 温家宝 – fans discussing the left back are using various euphemisms to refer to him to avoid attracting attention from any censors,” Wild East Football editor Cameron Wilson tweeted. Among other names. fans have referred to the player as “Wen Xiaojiang” – the latter term meaning “little general”, a term often handed to young players. [OFFICIAL] Wen Jiabao (21) Chinese defender Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao (CSL) -> Shanghai Greenland Shenhua (CSL) https://t.co/5L81Z4BrqV pic.twitter.com/Cc4lkN4COr — TransferMarkt China (@asaikana) January 6, 2020 Censorship on Chinese social media is widespread and well documented. Images of Winnie the Pooh and Peppa Pig have been banned in recent years. Certain terms are also censored on computer games – even outside China. The 21-year-old, who arrived from Guangzhou Evergrande in January, is one of several new signings at Shenhua ahead of the new season, which begins on July 25 after several months of Covid-19 delays. Chinese FA Cup winners Shenhua kick-off the new campaign against CSL champions Evergrande on Saturday in Dalian before Wuhan Zall play Qingdao Huanghai in Suzhou to begin the other of the behind closed doors groups. The first stage of matches will be completed by the end of September before the 16 teams are divided into four groups for the second stage of the season.