Last week, the Chinese entertainment industry has become the latest to fall into the sights of the ruling Communist Party, following Xi Jinping’s restriction on political dissent, social activism, liberalism ideological and private companies.
Although Chinese celebrities have been targets of the government previously, the latest crackdown has a broader scope and more severe severity, with its mainly clean internet presence in the country – so complete is its elimination, it has been compared by fans in line with the formation of a black hole after the collapse of a star.
On Chinese social media, some commentators said the crackdown was reminiscent of the Cultural Revolution, a decade of political and social turmoil between 1966 and 1976, during which the arts and culture were limited to promoting party propaganda.
The Communist Party, which views popular culture as a key ideological battlefield, has long maintained the entertainment sector with strict censorship. But it has also encouraged its growth, supporting national films and shows aimed at winning over Chinese audiences in Hollywood and other foreign productions.
But under Xi, the party has become obsessed with ideological and cultural control. The dazzle of stardom and the frenzy of the fans are increasingly seen as a dangerous and pernicious influence, especially on the country’s youth.
The high incomes of some A-list celebrities are clearly reminiscent of China’s lack of wealth. Zheng reportedly received more than $ 24 million for two-and-a-half months of filming for a romantic drama, with an average daily salary of more than $ 300,000. Last year, by way of comparison, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang revealed that more than 600 million Chinese earn just $ 140 a month.
From an ideological perspective, the party wants celebrities to become role models to help promote values such as patriotism and love of government. Many have answered the call.
On social media, actors, singers, influencers and other artists have frequently acted as staunch supporters of the Chinese government, protesting in support of Hong Kong police during the 2019 pro-democracy protests and leading the boycott in early this year against Western brands for their stance against alleged forced labor in Xinjiang. Successful actors have also rushed to star in patriotic movies and TV shows, and celebrities feel increasingly compelled to make millions of dollars in donations when a major disaster strikes.
While few would take the “prison detention” plan seriously, for a ruling party obsessed with maintaining stability and control, it serves as a warning that some young people in the country are willing to challenge their authority for a subject of worship other than him.
As for Chinese regulators, advances have been made on the political intentions behind the reduction.
In its statement on Friday, the CAC urged several authorities to carry out the crackdown with “a sense of responsibility, mission and urgency” and note that it arose from the need to “safeguard political security and ideological security in line “.
“Not scientifically credible”
“First, a report fabricated by the U.S. intelligence community is not scientifically credible. Tracing the origin is a matter of science; it should be left to scientists only, not experts. in intelligence, “said a statement issued Friday by the Chinese embassy in Washington.
“Now, the American side is using its old trick again. Ignoring the report of the joint WHO-China mission, it chooses to get its intelligence community to draw up a report. is it science-based and reliable for locating the source?
The U.S. intelligence community reached an unfinished assessment of the origin of the Covid-19 virus after a 90-day investigation ordered by President Joe Biden, according to an unclassified summary of the investigation released Friday. . The report left open the possibility that the virus was leaked from a laboratory in Wuhan City, as well as the theory that the virus passed from animals to humans.
The statement said the United States was trying to “stigmatize” China by accusing it of not being transparent about the origins of the disease.
“Since the outbreak of Covid-19, China has taken an open, transparent and responsible attitude. We have disseminated information, shared virus genome sequencing and carried out international cooperation to combat the disease, all done as soon as possible, ”the August 27 statement says.
China has repeatedly refused to share information related to the initial outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan and on Friday repeated its own unfounded accusation that the virus may have emanated from a U.S. military lab in Fort Detrick.
“Instead of first finding out what happened in its own laboratories, the United States continues to throw mud at others,” the statement said in a statement calling for a WHO investigation into the US laboratory.
The statement concluded alleging the intelligence report had not produced the response the United States had desired. “Continuing with this effort will also be in vain, because its subject matter is simply non-existent and anti-science,” the statement said.
– CNN’s Angus Watson contributed to the reportg
A clear start
Exhausted and hopeless, young people in East Asia find themselves “on the plain”
Young people in China get tired of the fierce competition for college and work, and the relentless rat race once hired.
They are now adopting a new philosophy they have called “tang ping” or “stretching”.
The phrase seems to date back to a post earlier this year in an online forum run by Chinese search giant Baidu. The author of the already deleted message suggested that instead of working a lifetime pursuing an apartment and traditional family values, people should follow a simple life.
In other words, just “stay on the plain.”
The talk of “stretching” has spread rapidly throughout China as young people fight with intense competition for the most attractive jobs, especially in the fields of technology and other white-collar fields. Meanwhile, as the country represses private enterprise, citizens have become wary of what many see as a grueling work culture. It is common for many companies and technology companies to require people to work almost twice (or more) the number of hours in a normal work week.
This type of phenomenon is not limited to China. Across East Asia, young people say they have run out with the prospect of working hard for seemingly little reward.
In South Korea, young people give up marriage and home ownership. In Japan, they are so pessimistic about the future of the country that they run away from material possessions.
“Young people are very exhausted,” said Lim Woon-taek, a professor of sociology at Keimyung University in South Korea. “They don’t know why they have to work so hard.”
– By Sophie Jeong
Around Asia
- New Zealand is one of the few places that still promises to remove Covid. But critics have been quick to scoff at the country’s risk-averse approach.
- Japan has suspended the use of about 1.63 million doses of the Modern vaccine as a precaution after finding foreign substances in some vials.
- Wealthy Chinese travelers may not be able to travel internationally with ease these days, but as Golden Week approaches this October, all signs point to a boom in domestic travel.
- And finally, in 2020, Singapore generated 665,000 metric tons of food waste, only 19% of which was recycled. A Singapore-based farmer and his partner hope to reduce that figure by innovating the use of the black soldier fly larva.