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I feel like I should do a little thread on some of the things I've observed from watching Chinese media when it comes to Myanmar...
One of the things that I think is important to note is that China is NOT controlling the narrative on what is being reported or discussed with regards the country. A search of Myanmar will bring up all user comments inc. some China would deem sensitive...
When I search Myanmar (缅甸) on Weibo, I see results from all users, inc posts that contain pictures of protests (pics are just examples).
China is v sensitive about ANY pictures of protests. Censors watch for them, because if they took place in China, they suggest dissent.
China is v sensitive about ANY pictures of protests. Censors watch for them, because if they took place in China, they suggest dissent.
Back in 2019, they had a real headache on their hands, because of the volume of pics coming in showing large-scale protests in Hong Kong.
So Weibo blocked the word Hong Kong. Although a lot of people don't really understand how blocking a term works in Chinese soc media...
So Weibo blocked the word Hong Kong. Although a lot of people don't really understand how blocking a term works in Chinese soc media...
Years ago, it used to be the case that if something was censored, no results would be displayed. Which looks a bit odd. Say you search "Tiananmen", which is sensitive because of the 1989 incident in Beijing. It used to be you couldn't even see nice pics of Tiananmen nowadays!
Now if something is sensitive it is subject to what I call the "blue V rule". For the sake of country comparison, a search of "North Korea" (朝鲜) will ONLY show results with a blue V (like a blue tick). China does control the narrative & discussion there - it hasn't on Myanmar.
China adopted the "blue V rule" during the HK protests. It has it long-term for N Korea. But discussions about Myanmar are happening openly on Weibo. People are sharing pictures of protests, tanks & slogans. Things that govt censors specifically look for in case they're in China.
It's actually become an opportunity for Chinese netizens to talk out about censorship in their own country. Seen this image so much today - with people saying it's "familiar", a "deja vu" and commenting on the "tank lady".
It's so rare to see comments like this...
It's so rare to see comments like this...
Platforms actually remove candle emojis & cakes on the Tiananmen anniversary to avoid people leaving even the most subtle of messages! https://twitter.com/kerrya11en/status/1136903060977004544
So I do question China's involvement in Myanmar. I'm conscious it's the holidays, so the censors aren't as active as usual. But with some ppl pointing the finger at China being involved, I don't see a lot of evidence China is trying to tell a specific narrative on the country.
I think in time, one will appear. Nervousness will kick in over people in China drawing comparisons between what's happening in Myanmar with what happened in China 32 years ago...
...but as to whether there's any now on suggestions a Chinese-style firewall is being set up, or the military are on the streets, not yet!
By the way I should have said, blue Vs in China are given to official govt/media accounts. So yeah, in the case of North Korea, you ONLY see govt-approved posts, & that was the case for Hong Kong during the demos 2 years ago. It means censorship is less obvious.
