The official media of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) published an article yesterday (May 13), stating that the term “basic plate,” which has been popular on the internet recently, has been stigmatized and often mocked, attributing it to “overseas cognitive warfare.” However, in the comment section of that news, mainland Chinese netizens ridiculed the authorities, saying, “Want to enter China National Petroleum Corporation or Tobacco Bureau for generations as the basic plate.” They also commented, “Provide some practical support for the basic plate instead of just slogans!”
According to a WeChat public account “Zhejiang Propaganda” under the CCP Zhejiang Provincial Committee Propaganda Department, an article was published on May 13 with the title “The term ‘Basic Plate’ should not be an object of ridicule.” It mentioned that on social media platforms, the phrase “patriots” is inseparable from “you are the basic plate.” These remarks are considered as a way of venting public sentiments by netizens.
The term “basic plate” originally was a financial term specifically referring to the basic trend of the stock market. However, in mainland China online context, it now refers to the group of people who identify with the CCP’s official patriotic narrative.
Official media claimed that comments sections often feature mockery like “here comes another group of basic plates.” If a consumer expresses approval of domestic brands, they might be labeled as engaging in “basic plate consumption” to belittle them. Watching American dramas is considered highbrow, while watching domestic dramas might attract ridicule in the comments section as “basic plate aesthetic.”
The article criticized this as “worshiping foreigners and denigrating oneself,” “reverse pouring of overseas cognitive warfare,” and “harvesting traffic by criticizing.”
It asserted that the term “basic plate” should not have a negative connotation, stating that “a stable basic plate is the most solid ballast for national development.”
However, multiple Douyin video comment sections under related news articles showed overwhelming mockery towards the CCP’s propaganda once again.
With over 12,000 comments, the mocking comments included: “Want to enter China National Petroleum Corporation or Tobacco Bureau for generations as the basic plate,” “Outsiders are still working overtime while the plate is already drawn curtains,” “When dividing the cake, do we bring a plate or not?” “Basics received,” “basically understood,” “basically touched,” “basically supported,” “basically working overtime,” “basically winning mahjong”…
Currently, the comments section under this video has been cleared.
Rarely, some unremoved comments appeared on the media observer website saying, “Why mock the basic plate? It’s because the value of united front work is low, others can get a piece of meat, but the basic plate can’t even get a sip of soup.” They also said, “Promote one thing while doing another, the ones who always suffer are the basic plate, and only the targets of united front work get special treatment.” They urged to focus on practical support for the basic plate to receive slogans.
This news evoked further ridicule among overseas netizens on platform X:
“The translation of ‘everyone is a basic plate’ means: You are all my vegetables, no one can run. When the country develops well, you, as screws, will then have soup to drink. The country wants you to shut up, sacrifice, be grateful, and you have to comply. It’s a typical binding of ‘patriotism’ and ‘party loyalty,’ treating the people as expendable resources rather than individuals with independent thinking.”
“Blaming all problems on foreign forces without reflecting on internal problems. Privilege issues continue to persist, corruption issues remain unresolved, are they also the fault of foreign forces?”
“Some truly are basic plates, such as those receiving tens of thousands of pensions per month, receiving medical treatment through the channels for retired cadres, and those driving Land Rovers from red families or the offspring of officials. They are qualified to be called basic plates because everything in the plate is theirs. If you are an ordinary person earning your own living and calling yourself a basic plate, do you have a portion on the plate? Are you deceived by hard work and kindness?”