China perspective,

CHINA PERSPECTIVE.

We have for some time now been getting a lot of news regarding China. Most of this output focuses on it being: autocratic, secretive, bullying its neighbours, suppressing internal minorities, and ignoring climate change when it suits.

The latest campaign to tighten control over domestic business and society, whilst enforcing morality, seems to me to indicate a confusion as to whether or not China will adapt to current international trends; or even the question as to how they regard themselves as a race & country?

Historically, there is that impressive long period of: the Emperors; then significant landmarks with: the Opium Wars, the Cultural Revolution, Japanese aggression, the one child policy and then the gradual introduction of a market economy.

No wonder they are confused.

Historical pride in their ancient culture, humiliation in war & occupation, drastic social policies enforced and the tentative move from economic communism to capitalist horizons.



Which brings us to today and the current moves being undertaken.

China’s government you may have read, has banned effeminate men on TV and told broadcasters to promote “revolutionary culture”. Broadcasters must “resolutely put an end to sissy men and other abnormal aesthetics,” the National Radio and TV Administration said, using an insulting slang term for effeminate men, “niang pao,” or literally, “girlie guns.”

This reflects official concern that Chinese pop stars, influenced by the sleek, fashionable look of some South Korean and Japanese singers and actors, are failing to encourage China's young men to be masculine enough.

Certainly, an interesting development. Macho man comeback!

Elsewhere in the West, it seems to be becoming almost obligatory to stress conceptions of all-inclusiveness; whose portfolios remorselessly expand to include such new exotic varieties as: transgender, and metro-sexual. It's all increasingly difficult for those of us of a certain age to keep up with.

President Xi Jinping has also called for a “national rejuvenation,” with tighter Communist Party control of business, education, culture and religion. Thus, companies and the public are under increasing pressure to align with its vision for a more powerful China and healthier society.

The Party has subsequently reduced children's access to online games. Rules that have taken effect limit anyone under 18 to three hours per week of online games and prohibit play on school days. Bloody excellent idea. Sign me up.

Also, game developers are required to submit new titles for government approval before they could be released. Officials have called on them to add nationalistic themes. All suggestions in sealed addressed envelopes please.

A further initiative by the authorities is to discourage what it sees as unhealthy attention to celebrities. Broadcasters should avoid promoting “vulgar internet celebrities” and admiration of wealth and celebrity, the regulator said. Instead, programs should “vigorously promote excellent Chinese traditional culture, revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture."

A bit of a paradox here, as from my observation, culturally the Chinese are some of the shrewdest businessmen in the world and the population is up there with the top contenders for being materialistic.

Broadcasters should avoid performers who “violate public order” or have “lost morality,” the regulator said. Programs about the children of celebrities also are banned.

Last Saturday, microblog platform Weibo Corp. suspended thousands of accounts for fan clubs and entertainment news.

Then a popular actress, Zhao Wei, disappeared from streaming platforms without explanation. Her name has been removed from credits of movies and TV programs.

Another order told broadcasters to limit pay for performers and to avoid contract terms that might help them evade taxes.

Which purely by coincidence, ties in with another actress, Zheng Shuang, being fined 299 million yuan ($46 million) last week on tax evasion charges. A not so subtle warning to celebrities to be positive role models.

Xi’s government has also tightened control over Chinese internet industries. It has launched anti-monopoly, data security and other enforcement actions at companies including e-commerce giant Alibaba Group that the ruling party worries are becoming too big and independent.

Civilisations, whatever their history, deserve a bedrock of values. How far one is obliged to change with time is the big question though.

All this doesn´t "sound" reassuring, Mani. The question is: is it all true or might at least part of it be anti propaganda?

Hi Danik.

I got the info from a source in Singapore, then checked it out. From what I can determine its not "fake news."

On a different note I read Steve's piece today. That guy is so talented as a writer and observer of human nature.

I'm looking for a new theme for a story at the moment, having finished The Tel Aviv Contractor and thrown it to the wolves.

Stay safe.

Best wishes.
M.

Thanks for the infos Mani!

Do you still have those literary magazines in UK that print short stories? Perhaps you could offer The Tel Aviv Contractor to one of them.

Have a nice weekend!

Danik

12 years on and off in China (and I'm a Green Card holder there), I may know a thing or two. Lets put it simply; most of what you know about China is false, in the wrong (or undesirable way). Make of that what you will. That being said, safe streets and generally well designed and thought out cities. The delivery system there is the finest in the world and the reforestation rate is pleasantly alarming. But, in the end, refer to Aesop's fable about the Dong and the Wolf.