Two directives handed down from the “Ministry of Truth” concern convicted activist and New Citizens’ Movement founder, Xu Zhiyong. One instructs websites to censor supportive content, the other to delete two essays penned by Xu. This week’s Drawing the News includes illustrations of Xu Zhiyong’s defiant silence in the courtroom.
Tennis star Li Na won the Australian Open and delivered an acceptance speech that showcased her personality and sense of humor. Back in China, netizens speculated about her contentious relationship with the Chinese government. Did a 2001 slap to the face add to the friction? CDT political cartoonist Badiucao reflects: Love From Her Red Motherland.
Despite Xi Jinping’s austerity measures aimed to curb indulgent spending by government officials, a state-owned Moutai company uses patriotism and anti-Japanese sentiment to sell opulent bottles in the shape of China’s aircraft carrier. CDT translated and republished a censored Weibo post boasting of the drink’s fantastic warrior-producing effects.
The Chinese language seems built for innovation. Move just one character and the Party mouthpiece, People’s Daily (人民日报 Rénmín Rìbào) becomes 日人民报 (Rì Rénmín Bào): Screwing People Post. Check it out in the Read of the Week.
CDT would like to wish all of our readers a happy and prosperous Year of the Horse. If you take any photos of New Year celebrations (or anything else) and would like us to consider posting them, please upload to Flickr and tag “chinadigitaltimes.” Thank you!
新年快乐！ 马上有幸福。
(Thanks to Meredith Godwin for putting this post together.)
