The Chinese Communist Party recently announced measures to crack down on fabricated online rumors, misuse of veiled expressions, and other related issues. Under the strict control of the CCP, netizens often use indirect expressions to satirize party leaders and criticize current political situations, leading to widespread mockery among the public.
According to a report by China Central Television (CCTV) on October 11, the CCP Central Cyberspace Affairs Office stated that in order to rectify the chaos of improper usage of language and text online, they, together with the Ministry of Education, issued a notice to carry out a special campaign for “clean and standardized use of internet language and text.”
The campaign primarily targets certain websites and platforms that present so-called “improper, uncivilized language and text, distorting sound, form, and meaning, fabricating online rumors, and misusing veiled expressions” in key sections such as hot search lists, homepage screens, and featured discoveries.
The term “online rumors” refers to the various expressions used by people on the internet nowadays, utilizing emojis, memes, popular phrases, and abbreviations for communication. Among these, “lame jokes” are considered unoriginal, lacking substance, and tasteless ways of online expression.
However, these creative expressions born out of the tightly controlled internet in China are also seen as a subtle and safe means for netizens to vent their dissatisfaction with politics.
The news of the official crackdown on “online rumors and lame jokes” has spread overseas, leading many internet users to speculate that it is due to the fear of being subtly ridiculed by the CCP leaders. The sensitivity surrounding Xi Jinping on the internet far exceeds people’s imagination. According to a leaked database from a domestic website, there are at least 2,000 sensitive terms directly related to Xi Jinping himself.
Chinese netizens enjoy giving Xi Jinping nicknames such as “steamed bun,” “Winnie the Pooh,” “200 pounds,” “Emperor Qingfeng,” and so on. Works of satire, mockery, and insults towards Xi Jinping abound outside the Great Firewall.
On social platform X, many netizens have expressed mockery of the CCP’s actions:
Kyle: “They take serious matters lightly and trivial matters seriously. Is this considered ‘online rumors’?”
Chris Fok: “A clear demonstration of insecurity and lack of confidence.”
@huahua2006: “Xi Jinping himself, along with Wang Huning creating lame jokes in his name, have filled dozens of books. Will the so-called Chinese authorities dare to crack down on Xi Jinping? They dare not.”
SailFreedom: “Too much trouble, just shut down the internet directly.”
MarvinBower: “With the budget and manpower spent on this, it would be better to create jobs. Governing aimlessly day by day, troubling the people with no direction…”
ShootShoot: “This party is probably the worst in history.”
ZenYu: “Censor the Xinhua Dictionary!”
Sensei: “The Communist Party is becoming increasingly disgusting. The reason they can’t speak openly is because of their own doing, why are they still engaging in word purges in this day and age? Do they think we are elementary school students?”
Skylander: “The creators of ‘scrambled eggs’ must be severely punished.”
Bill The Investor: “We are inevitably heading back to an era where every word must be spoken according to regulations, welcome back to the Cultural Revolution!”