The following censorship instructions, issued to the media by government authorities, have been leaked and distributed online. The name of the issuing body has been omitted to protect the source.
Do not hype or comment on those high leaders of major Western countries who are not attending the September 3 military parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of the victory in the war against Japan. (September 2, 2015) [Chinese]
A report from Quartz’s Nikhil Sonnad relays a list of the 30 foreign leaders that state media confirmed would be in attendance at the military parade in Beijing on September 3, noting:
The list does include South Korean president Park Geun-hye, as well as Russia’s Vladimir Putin. But other than those two, there is not much in the name of geopolitical or diplomatic clout. No Western countries will be sending a head of state: Poland is sending a head legislator while Argentina and Cuba will be represented by vice presidents. Also missing are Asian neighbors like Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia, all of which were invited. [Source]
Xi Jinping is greeting foreign guests in Forbidden City. Being shown in video screens in the square. #china #parade pic.twitter.com/hxFqlgwzE0
— Julie Makinen (@Julie_Makinen) September 3, 2015
https://twitter.com/pearswick/status/639245050363248641
Xi and wife Peng Liyuan greet Sudanese President Bashir, wanted by the International Criminal Court. pic.twitter.com/aVLSFQs3gs
— Chris Buckley 储百亮 (@ChuBailiang) September 3, 2015
Big reaction in the crowd as Park Geun-hye shows up on big screen, greeted by Xi and Peng pic.twitter.com/IpBYdlWA1g
— Philip Wen (@PhilipWen11) September 3, 2015
Big "ooooh" and applause in the crowds when Putin shows up.
— Nathan VanderKlippe (@nvanderklippe) September 3, 2015
After greeting foreign leaders, Xi and Peng walked down the red carpet towards the square. Putin on their right, Park on their left.
— Edward Wong (@ewong) September 3, 2015
#VDay President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan take photo with heads of foreign delegations and their spouses. pic.twitter.com/U9r2IRDwBm
— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) September 3, 2015
TV Asahi is keeping tally: Japanese analyst Homare Endo says China has lost face because no G7 leader is there pic.twitter.com/5uDO677esj
— Anna Fifield (@annafifield) September 3, 2015
Some of the propaganda directives issued on August 23 and translated by CDT remain in effect until September 5. For more on China’s military parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of Japan’s World War II defeat, see prior CDT coverage. Also, watch the parade on Xinhua’s YouTube channel.
Since directives are sometimes communicated orally to journalists and editors, whothen leak them online, the wording published here may not be exact. The date given may indicate when the directive was leaked, rather than when it was issued. CDT does its utmost to verify dates and wording, but also takes precautions to protect the source.
