From Economic Observer Online:
The recent ban of a hit Chinese television series – Dwelling Narrowness (蜗居), which centered around China’s skyrocketing property prices and the pressure on its middle class to put up mortgages – highlighted the concerns of Chinese authorities over widespread public discontent against steep home prices.
The too-close-to-reality drama series struck chord with Chinese’ growing anxiety in owning a house as the real estate market bubbling, and the term “house slaves” (房奴) – referring to those burdened by mortgages – came into being.
The Chinese government has recently reacted to the swelling public resentment – aside from halting a drama series that could potentially fanned the discontent, it also announced a series of measures to cool the red-hot property market.
