Stories about China from December, 2013
Hundreds of Local Chinese Lawmakers Dismissed Over Massive Bribery Scandal
518 Hengyang lawmakers and 68 staff members were found to have accepted bribes, and 512 lawmakers were dismissed.
China's Hunan Province: “96.6% Complete on Democracy and Rule of Law”
China's Hunan Party Secretary Xu Shousheng published a report on Hunan Daily that says “Hunan province is 96.6% complete on democracy and rule of law.” The statement has been ridiculed by many netizens online.
The Return of Chairman Mao Worship in China
The celebration of Chair Mao's 120th birthday has seen a return of personality worship in China.
Chinese President Xi Jinping Eats Steam Buns
The news about Chinese President Xi Jingping in a small restaurant eating steam buns with common people was first appeared in Weibo and spread through mainstream media outlets. ChinaSMACK translated the news and netizens’ comments.
China's Southern Media Group Turns Back on Anti-Censorship Supporters
The newspaper issued testimony that supports the prosecution of activists who took part in an anti-censorship protest in support of the paper.
Wishing You a Free Christmas from Hong Kong
There are a number of e-Christmas cards that carry political message circulated on social media in Hong Kong. Below are two examples:
Dishing on Sino-American Relations
Chinese food culture constitutes a significant part in the Chinese language. Below is a part of an online fictional story on a conversation between Obama and Xi Jinping on Sino American relation explained and translated by Mary Ann O'Donnell: With respect to the importance of Sino-American relations, we will eat...
Chinese Challenge State Media's Rosy Take on Mao Zedong's Legacy
"Mao’s biggest crimes were the rectification movement expansion, which killed countless innocent intellectuals; the Great Leap Forward, which led millions of innocent people to starve; and the cruel Cultural Revolution..."
Killing of Two Demolition Officials by Chinese Veteran Farmer Wins Public Sympathy
The arrest of an old farmer for killing two men sent to evict his family in the east China city of Suzhou has provoked outcry on China’s social media.
Debate on the Translation of Christmas into Chinese
Ann O'Donnell explains the debate about the translation of Christmas, whether it should be “holy birth festival” or “Jesus birth festival”. For those advocating for the rectification of the Chinese translation, believe that the expression “holy birth festival”, which also means “the Sage’s birth festival” should designate Confucius’ birthday.
Victim of China's One-Child-Policy, 7-year-old Boy Plans Revenge
As a result of one-child policy, many children do not have proper government-issued identification and documentation and are deprived of rights to free education and other social services. A recent report on the problem of undocumented children included an interview with a 7-year-old boy who said when he grows up...
Chinese University Professor’s Resignation Letter Censored
One day after professor Chen Hongguo posted his resignation letter on Weibo that has triggered hot discussion on academic freedom in China on December 23, 2013, his letter was deleted. A search on professor Chen's name on Sina Weibo shows the following message: 根据相关法律法规和政策,“谌洪果”搜索结果未予显示。 According to relevant regulations and policies, search results...
Podcast: Contemporary Art in China
Sinica podcast discusses contemporary art scene in China, including what it means to be a Chinese artist in today's China and how different things have changed in the past 20 years.
China’s Environmental News in 2013
chinadialogue looks back at the major Chinese environmental news stories from 2013: toxic water in China's northern city Handan, thousands of dead pigs in Shanghai River, and the severe air pollution. They also explored why the year of 2013 is an environmental disaster for China.
Video:Mo Money, Mo Fazhan
Laowai Style's Jesse Appell addresses the question about China's economic development with his new rap song “Mo Money, Mo Fazhan(Development)”. The rap cover topics ranging from urbanization, to hukou reform, SOEs, and tainted milk powder. Watch the video below.
Jon Stewart's Satire on China's Moon Landing Causes a Sensation
Jon Stewart mocked China’s space race, suggesting it was outdated and pointless on “The Daily Show” on Dec. 16. Chinese netizens and news agencies shared the video on the Twitter-like Weibo, quickly attracting numerous netizens watching and commenting. The majority of commenters find the funny and the host is nicknamed as...
Chinese University Professor Quits to Seek Academic Freedom
"I want to be responsible for my own life. The only thing you can change is yourself."
38 Million Chinese Abandon Pension Insurance
The falling number of people with insurance has revealed serous problems in China’s pension system.
Popularizing the Hmong Qeej Musical Instrument through YouTube
Catherine Falk studied how Chinese and Laotian Hmong diaspora groups maximized the YouTube to preserve and popularize their culture, in particular the playing of qeej, an iconic Hmong reed mouth organ.
Chinese Film Director Feng Xiaogang on Censorship
When asked about his dream during an interview at China's top Tsinghua University, Chinese film director Feng Xiaogang said[zh] to the students: I have realized all my dreams, if there is any, that is one day, I wish there's no film censorship in China. His words inspired thunderous applause. He...
China: Online Annihilation of Dissent
China Media Project translated veteran journalist and former Southern Weekly commentator Xiao Shu's comment on the Chinese authorities’ online annihilation tactics against Chinese liberal opinion leaders: In early August this year I was abducted by state security police. Under orders to bring me in for questioning, state security from Guangzhou...