Last week, while making the trek to Tiananmen Square through multiple layers of security, I spotted this display in a souvenir shop: The return of the exalted-political-leader-on-a-plate souvenir, something we haven’t seen for a very long time. Two weeks ago, the current leader of China orchestrated a change in the constitution that will allow him…
propaganda
Chinese Propaganda With Buddhist Characteristics
In the Beijing neighborhood that I stayed in last week, I noticed a wall covered with propaganda paintings (in the US, we might call them “public service announcements”). I’m always fascinated by these paintings and/or posters as they give a glimpse into what the leaders are concerned about and what the leaders think the people should…
Get Your “Four Comprehensives” On
The Chinese Communist Party is at it again — promoting it’s own awesomeness with an animated rap video (with a side of Beethoven). Here’s a sampling of the lyrics: “Listen to me: four comprehensives, four comprehensives, building a moderately prosperous society is the goal; Repeat after me: four comprehensives, four comprehensives, reform is the impetus;…
In Democracy We Trust
A friend recently posted this photo to Twitter and asked me about the translation. Apparently it’s part of a campaign going on in China to promote “socialist core values.” Setting aside the mildly disturbing nature of the photo, it is an interesting look at contemporary political discourse in China. The main question my friend had was…