Recently, the official WeChat public account “China Democratic League” on the mainland announced that Hu Ge, the male lead in popular series such as “Nirvana in Fire” and “Blooming Flowers,” has been appointed as the Deputy Director of the Central Propaganda Committee of the “China Democratic League,” one of the eight “democratic parties” under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. This news quickly became a hot topic on Weibo.
Hu Ge gained immense popularity through his roles in dramas like “Nirvana in Fire” and “Blooming Flowers.” On January 20th, the WeChat public account “China Democratic League” revealed that Hu Ge, a member of the League and the Deputy Director of the Central Propaganda Committee, starred in the TV dramas “Blooming Flowers” and “County Party Committee Mansion,” which received the “Five-One Project Award” of the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China for spiritual civilization construction. This signifies that Hu Ge now holds the position of “Deputy Director of the Central Propaganda Committee of the China Democratic League.”
After the news was released, the topic “Hu Ge appointed as the Deputy Director of the Central Propaganda Committee of the China Democratic League” quickly trended on Weibo. Mainland Weibo influencers praised Hu Ge as an “internal system boy”; while others lauded him as a “publicity front for external promotion.” This move by Hu Ge has a significant impact, particularly among young people born in the 1990s and 2000s.
Jie Li Jian, an outspoken Chinese democracy activist based in the United States, stated that the Chinese Communist Party is leveraging the star power of celebrities to promote political propaganda by appealing to fans’ admiration for their idols. This strategy aims to cater to the younger generation and further solidify the Party’s influence. He suggested that more young artists and internet celebrities may join the ranks of political propaganda in the future.
Chinese independent commentator Cai Shenkun, residing in the United States, emphasized that by “co-opting non-Party individuals into its ranks,” the CCP seeks to enhance its propaganda efforts through celebrities like Hu Ge. This appointment within the “democratic party” is intended to have a broader impact, not just within the Party but also influencing outside entities, including various overseas Chinese communities.
Hu Ge’s portrayal of “Bao Zong” in the TV drama “Blooming Flowers” skyrocketed his popularity. Last year, after a six-year hiatus, he made a surprise visit to Taiwan and attended the “Youth Dialogue” forum held at the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park in Taipei. Simultaneously, a delegation led by the Shanghai Taiwan Affairs Office Director, Zhong Xiaomin, known as the “Dual-City Forum Advance Team,” also arrived in Taiwan, blending entertainment exchange with political undertones, sparking concerns among Taiwanese about “cultural united front” tactics.
During his visit, it was revealed that Hu Ge’s trip to Taiwan was kept low-key, and he was allegedly instructed not to interact with Taiwanese locals to avoid controversy. Taiwan’s political figures noted that Chinese entertainers visiting the island often carry diplomatic missions, as Taiwanese are well aware of the dual strategy adopted by the CCP in its Taiwan policy.
Cai Shenkun emphasized that the CCP utilizes cultural exchanges, with celebrities like Hu Ge playing a crucial role in advancing its reunification agenda. He warned of the severe situation of the CCP’s united front tactics against Taiwan, urging vigilance against pervasive infiltration efforts.
Despite the CCP’s attempts to shape its image of “multi-party cooperation” domestically and abroad by involving celebrities, experts stress that China’s “multi-party politics” fundamentally differs from Western democratic nations. Cai Shenkun underscored that China’s eight democratic parties serve as mere decorations under the CCP’s influence, lacking autonomy in decision-making and required to align with the Party’s ideology when speaking or making statements.
The official website of the “China Democratic League” indicates that the League comprises primarily of intellectuals in the fields of culture, education, science, and technology, forming a political alliance that “accepts the leadership of the Communist Party of China, cooperates with it, and is a progressive and inclusive socialist participating party with Chinese characteristics.”
It is noteworthy that despite the storm Hu Ge’s visit to Taiwan stirred up last year, what made him trend on Weibo was his recounting of a heartwarming story during a mainland talk show, detailing his experience of being present in the delivery room with his wife, cutting the umbilical cord. Mainland netizens praised him as a considerate man. This indicates that unless the CCP conceals some undisclosed agenda, mainland audiences remain largely unaware of the buzz surrounding Hu Ge’s visit to Taiwan.