A novel propaganda method\u2014a \u201cvideo call\u201d from Xi Jinping delivering Lunar New Year’s well-wishes\u2014inspired titters after China Central Television (CCTV) shared it on Weibo. The Weibo link sent users to a faux WeChat incoming call page notably lacking a \u201creject call\u201d button. Clicking \u201canswer\u201d pulled up a short video of Xi\u2019s recent <\/span>livestream address to grassroots cadres<\/span><\/a>, spliced with shots of rapt audiences around the country applauding his speech. Less a phone call than a directive from on high, the video was met with mockery online, forcing CCTV\u2019s Weibo page to lock and censor the comment section. <\/span>CDT captured and translated a selection of comments before they were erased<\/strong><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n

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Xi Jinping Invites You To A Video Call<\/p><\/div>\n

ihc3sqw\uff1aStraight out of \u201c<\/span>Ring<\/span><\/a>\u201d [A Japanese horror film in which mysterious phone calls play an important role.]<\/span><\/p>\n

whyworld\uff1aJust watched the video. What stylish packaging. They didn\u2019t even pretend to have someone on the line with him. The point being that our only role is to listen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u534e\u56fd\u950b [The username is \u201cHua Guofeng,\u201d Mao\u2019s oft-forgotten successor<\/a> who proclaimed a \u201cTwo Whatevers<\/a>\u201d policy, following whatever Mao did and whatever Mao said.]\uff1aXi Jinping must seize control over the economy. We all believe in your ability\u2014whatever you control will surely go up in smoke.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u556a\u556a\u556aWN\uff1aHello, Piggy. If Tencent could be bothered to reintroduce the \u201cend call\u201d button, that would be nice. I do not wish to speak with you, thanks. Scram.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

YiiPerona\uff1aWho the fuck started this \u201cXi Jinping invites you to a video call\u201d thing? My first belly laugh of 2023. [<\/span>Chinese<\/strong><\/a>]<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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\u89c6\u9891\u6765\u4e86 pic.twitter.com\/oHGm0YuDyv<\/a><\/p>\n

— \u8499\u53e4\u56fd\u6d77\u519b\u53f8\u4ee4 (@xppanduola) January 18, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n