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China’s internet censorship

China’s internet censorship
The latest news, analysis and opinion on China’s internet censorship. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Photos of grieving families in Iran have attracted millions of views on Chinese social media. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Chinese social media is awash with criticisms of the US. Can it go too far?

Online responses range from sarcastic variants on Beijing’s official line to ‘armchair generals’ telling Tehran how best to fight America.

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Mainland China

Chinese social media bans female Uygur comic over marriage jokes

Internet

Xibei vs the influencer: why Beijing called time on a restaurant food feud

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Artificial intelligence

Jailed Chinese AI chatbot developers appeal in landmark pornography case

Defendants given prison sentences for creating sexual content for profit via their AI emotional companions.

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The case, related to AI-generated images, has prompted debate in China’s legal community. Photo: Shutterstock
China’s Communist Party

China’s ideology chief calls on propaganda officials to focus on the economy

Cai Qi – who is responsible for ideology, culture and internet regulation – tells cadres to make ‘good start’ to the next five-year plan.

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TikTok

Are China’s social media apps the soft power play to win over the West?

After the US migration to RedNote, experts say transforming engagement into influence will require a ‘light touch’ from Beijing.

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China property

Shanghai launches clampdown on property market doom-mongering

City’s internet regulators shut down 70,000 accounts in a ‘special campaign’ against pessimistic content as real estate jitters continue.

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Shanghai has launched a “special campaign” against online content that talks down the property market. Photo: Shutterstock
Women and gender

China’s LGBTQ community loses key lifeline as Blued, Finka apps vanish

Purge of popular same-sex dating sites from app stores fuels fears about shrinking digital spaces for the country’s LGBTQ community.

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Internet

Are China’s stars leading fans to be more nationalist – or the other way round?

Study out of the US and Britain looks at how nationalism flows and influences others on Chinese social media.

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Censorship

Ex-state media editor warns against ‘collective silence’ on Chinese social media

Ex-Global Times chief Hu Xijin says there should be greater scope for ‘citizens to exchange information’ on social media.

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Hu Xijin is a regular poster on Chinese and Western social media platoforms. Photo: Weibo
Censorship

China’s ‘Clean Net’ campaign targets ‘negative emotions’ in annual online purge

Internet watchdog’s crackdown broadens battle against pessimism, punishes influencers and platforms ‘selling anxiety’ on web.

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In its latest online censorship campaign, China’s internet regulator has punished influencers and internet platforms for “presenting negative emotions that damage the online ecosystem”. Photo: Shutterstock
Censorship in China

Kuaishou, Weibo warned as China cracks down on trending topics

The cyber regulator’s actions follow similar actions targeting lifestyle social media platform RedNote.

China's military weapons

Want to relive the Chinese military parade? Try this cuddly missile plushie

‘Sleep with the DF-5C pillow, as it provides the highest sense of security … It covers the entire globe,’ goes the blurb for an ICBM toy.

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Women and gender

Chinese officials accuse online stand-up shows of stirring ‘gender antagonism’

Zhejiang officials hope ‘rising stand-up comedy scene can become more rational and profound, with less division and more understanding’.

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Fan Chunli, a 50-year-old woman from a small rural village, has struck a chord in China with stand-up comedy about her divorce. Photo: iQIYI
ByteDance

ByteDance’s China head of content quality leaves amid stricter censorship

Li Tong, who led Douyin’s content quality team, is no longer listed in ByteDance’s internal employee system, according to sources.

The building of Douyin Group in Chengdu, Sichuan province, seen on March 11, 2024. Photo: Shutterstock
Internet

China fines ultranationalist blogger Sima Nan US$1.2 million for tax evasion

In November, after decades of posting and amassing more than 50 million followers, outspoken blogger went silent on social media.

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China's military weapons

China tightens rules on publishing information about the military

‘Online information providers’ face a range of new curbs including a ban on publishing information about weapons systems and facilities.

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China technology

Weibo adjusts algorithms to improve ‘public values’ amid government crackdown

Weibo has been under fire in recent years for having too many trending topics about celebrities.

The Weibo logo is seen on a smartphone in this arranged illustration. Photo: Shutterstock Images
Shanghai

Shanghai mulls plan to bypass Great Firewall in bid to woo foreign investment

Shanghai is not alone in such efforts, as Nansha district in Guangzhou is implementing cross-border data transfers with Hong Kong and Macau.

US-China relations

Opinion | US and China should follow lead of their youth bonding on RedNote

Their interactions help debunk Washington’s ‘China threat’ narrative and should give Beijing the courage to relax its censorship and trust Chinese youth.

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China’s Communist Party

Unplug ‘Great Firewall’ to help China compete, Shanghai lawmaker says

Legislator Mao Xiangdong calls for lifting of internet restrictions in free-trade zones, financial districts and universities.

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Strict internet controls should be lifted in zones such as Shanghai’s Lujiazui financial district to help boost China’s development, a Shanghai lawmaker says. Photo: AFP
China’s Communist Party

RedNote’s influx of ‘TikTok refugees’ could be a double-edged sword for Beijing

The authorities will be hoping new users of the app will get a favourable impression of China – but may be unnerved by some of their posts.

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The possible US TikTok ban has prompted an exodus of new users to the Chinese app RedNote. Photo: Reuters
China’s Communist Party

Chinese officials urged not to ignore public opinion

Cadres warned to pay attention to complaints from members of the public to avoid more serious problems later on.

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Trending in China

Chinese ex-gymnast hit with new social media ban over sexy dance routines

Former sporting hero’s provocative live streaming sessions lead to fresh social media gag, dividing opinion on mainland social media.

China’s Communist Party

China stamps out AI misuse to preserve national literature and ideology

Beijing seeks to balance AI use to boost the economy while combating deepfakes, digital misinformation and altering of public perception.

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The Cyberspace Administration of China pledges to clean up video content that could be harmful to China’s youth. Photo: Shutterstock
China’s Communist Party

Exclusive | Chinese internet censors ban anti-West firebrand Sima Nan for a year

The ultranationalist blogger has not posted online since Tuesday when he voiced support for Donald Trump in the US election.

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Commentator Sima Nan has not posted online since Tuesday night. Photo: AFP
China’s Communist Party

Chinese commentator Hu Xijin returns to social media after months of silence

Fans celebrate comeback of former Global Times chief after unexplained absence from online platforms where he had been a prolific poster.

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China’s Communist Party

China takes down fake news about its military, closes social media accounts

Internet watchdog reports targets include false reports of ‘cyberwarfare’ in the South China Sea and other ‘fantasy stories’.

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