China's state censors closely managed social media content regarding President Trump's recent tariff hike on Chinese goods, allowing criticism of the U.S. while suppressing specific details about the tariffs.
China's Censorship Strategy Amid U.S. Tariffs
China's Censorship Strategy Amid U.S. Tariffs
The Chinese government strategically curates online discourse surrounding new U.S. tariffs to shape public perception.
China's censors are actively attempting to shape public opinion in the face of U.S. trade actions. As President Trump's new tariffs—raising import taxes on Chinese goods to an imposing 104 percent—came into effect, Chinese state media launched a concerted campaign on platforms like Weibo. Here, they discouraged conversations about specific tariff details while promoting anti-U.S. sentiment among users.
Numerous hashtags related to the 104 percent tariff promptly faced censorship with notifications that the content was not displayed. In contrast, hashtags highlighting American shortcomings or celebrating China's resilience gained significant traction. One particularly popular hashtag generating buzz was "America is fighting a trade war while begging for eggs," reportedly coined by China Central Television (CCTV), the state broadcaster.
Moreover, opinion pieces in the People’s Daily, the Chinese Communist Party's official outlet, expressed themes of strength and resilience, arguing that China would use external challenges to bolster economic resilience. “In Chinese people’s genes, we never fear risks, and can see external pressure as a catalyst for our development," stated one article.
State-approved narratives also downplayed the tariff's direct impact while focusing on broader economic strategies like enhancing job opportunities for graduates, showcasing an optimistic view of China’s economic landscape.
Prominent influencers on Weibo contributed to the narrative, suggesting that the U.S. is losing its global standing, and some called for China to leverage its newfound strength in the trade conflict, reflecting a unified response to the trade war propagated by Chinese authorities.
As the U.S.-China trade dynamics continue to evolve, the interplay of censorship and propaganda in China underlines a broader strategy of maintaining social unity and national pride amid international pressure.
Numerous hashtags related to the 104 percent tariff promptly faced censorship with notifications that the content was not displayed. In contrast, hashtags highlighting American shortcomings or celebrating China's resilience gained significant traction. One particularly popular hashtag generating buzz was "America is fighting a trade war while begging for eggs," reportedly coined by China Central Television (CCTV), the state broadcaster.
Moreover, opinion pieces in the People’s Daily, the Chinese Communist Party's official outlet, expressed themes of strength and resilience, arguing that China would use external challenges to bolster economic resilience. “In Chinese people’s genes, we never fear risks, and can see external pressure as a catalyst for our development," stated one article.
State-approved narratives also downplayed the tariff's direct impact while focusing on broader economic strategies like enhancing job opportunities for graduates, showcasing an optimistic view of China’s economic landscape.
Prominent influencers on Weibo contributed to the narrative, suggesting that the U.S. is losing its global standing, and some called for China to leverage its newfound strength in the trade conflict, reflecting a unified response to the trade war propagated by Chinese authorities.
As the U.S.-China trade dynamics continue to evolve, the interplay of censorship and propaganda in China underlines a broader strategy of maintaining social unity and national pride amid international pressure.
