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Censorship in China

Censorship in China
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Censorship in China. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
A man sits on the balcony of a sludge-ridden house in Nepal’s Nuwakot district on September 8. The August 26 glacial and mountain collapse on the China-Nepal border killed at least 1,398 people, with more than 5,500 missing, including around 800 foreigners. Photo: AFP
2026 China-Nepal flash floods

Opinion | What the China-Nepal floods teach us about crisis communication

In an unfolding disaster, families need quick, practical updates and journalists need access the moment safety allows.

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US-China relations

From TikTok to war weariness, a new generation of Americans’ view of China

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US-China relations

Chinese social media is awash with criticisms of the US. Can it go too far?

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US-China relations

Exclusive | Hasan Piker talks about his controversial China trip – and ‘thinking Chinese thoughts’

One of the most influential political commentators among young Americans, Piker claims Americans are ‘taught to hate China’, calling it ‘stupid’.

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Hasan Piker, whose recent trip to China sparked a fierce online debate across the political spectrum. Photo: Instagram/Hasan Piker
Human rights in China

Chinese journalist Liu Hu detained after report scrutinising local officials

Liu and his assistant reportedly in custody for ‘illegal business operations’ and ‘false accusations’.

China’s Communist Party

China’s ideology chief calls on propaganda officials to focus on the economy

Cai Qi – who is responsible for ideology, culture and internet regulation – tells cadres to make ‘good start’ to the next five-year plan.

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TikTok

Are China’s social media apps the soft power play to win over the West?

After the US migration to RedNote, experts say transforming engagement into influence will require a ‘light touch’ from Beijing.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
China property

Shanghai launches clampdown on property market doom-mongering

City’s internet regulators shut down 70,000 accounts in a ‘special campaign’ against pessimistic content as real estate jitters continue.

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Women and gender

China’s LGBTQ community loses key lifeline as Blued, Finka apps vanish

Purge of popular same-sex dating sites from app stores fuels fears about shrinking digital spaces for the country’s LGBTQ community.

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Communist Party politics

How the fight over a Chinese bookstore heightened concerns over cultural squeeze

The fate of a popular venue in the southwestern city of Chengdu has highlighted the increasing pressure on public activities.

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The You Xing Bookstore in Chengdu was at risk of closure. Photo: Handout
Censorship

Ex-state media editor warns against ‘collective silence’ on Chinese social media

Ex-Global Times chief Hu Xijin says there should be greater scope for ‘citizens to exchange information’ on social media.

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Hu Xijin is a regular poster on Chinese and Western social media platoforms. Photo: Weibo
Women and gender

‘AI censorship’ of Together raises new fears for future of Chinese LGBTQ films

A public outcry over a scene where a gay couple were turned into a heterosexual one has triggered a wider debate about the use of technology.

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Censorship

China’s ‘Clean Net’ campaign targets ‘negative emotions’ in annual online purge

Internet watchdog’s crackdown broadens battle against pessimism, punishes influencers and platforms ‘selling anxiety’ on web.

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Social media

Kuaishou, Weibo warned as China cracks down on trending topics

The cyber regulator’s actions follow similar actions targeting lifestyle social media platform RedNote.

Kuaishou is China’s second-most popular short video platform. Photo: Shutterstock
Women and gender

China’s Weibo shuts down social media accounts for ‘inciting gender antagonism’

The bans target accounts that raised awareness about sexual harassment and women’s issues, as well as one that was critical of feminism.

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Chinese social media platform Weibo has vowed to crack down on “provocative behaviour that stirs up gender division” and urged users to flag such posts. Photo: Shutterstock
Women and gender

Chinese officials accuse online stand-up shows of stirring ‘gender antagonism’

Zhejiang officials hope ‘rising stand-up comedy scene can become more rational and profound, with less division and more understanding’.

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Cybersecurity

China rolls out ‘voluntary’ cyber ID amid concerns over privacy, censorship

The new virtual ID scheme has been in the beta stage since a draft regulation was launched in July last year.

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Mainland China

Palace intrigue conquers global screens: has China cast its new soft power?

As overseas fans binge on Chinese hit streaming shows, slick productions could boost country’s image on the global stage, experts say.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
ByteDance

ByteDance’s China head of content quality leaves amid stricter censorship

Li Tong, who led Douyin’s content quality team, is no longer listed in ByteDance’s internal employee system, according to sources.

Hainan

China will drop the Great Firewall for some users, but only in southern Hainan

Employees of companies operating in the island province can apply for the ‘Global Connect’ scheme, but some content will remain restricted.

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US-China relations

US lawmakers raise concerns about Chinese national ballet performance in Washington

Politicians say National Ballet of China performance at Kennedy Centre is part of the Communist Party’s political machinery’.

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The National Ballet of China performs The Chinese New Year, a version of The Nutcracker, with children from the US at the Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington on January 29. Photo: Xinhua
US-China relations

Opinion | US and China should follow lead of their youth bonding on RedNote

Their interactions help debunk Washington’s ‘China threat’ narrative and should give Beijing the courage to relax its censorship and trust Chinese youth.

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For many young Americans, RedNote has given them their first direct interaction with mainland Chinese people. Photo: SCMP
China’s Communist Party

RedNote’s influx of ‘TikTok refugees’ could be a double-edged sword for Beijing

The authorities will be hoping new users of the app will get a favourable impression of China – but may be unnerved by some of their posts.

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China’s Communist Party

Chinese officials urged not to ignore public opinion

Cadres warned to pay attention to complaints from members of the public to avoid more serious problems later on.

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Trending in China

Chinese ex-gymnast hit with new social media ban over sexy dance routines

Former sporting hero’s provocative live streaming sessions lead to fresh social media gag, dividing opinion on mainland social media.

Ex-China top gymnast Wu Liufang’s social media account is suspended again over her sexy live streaming sessions. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo/Douyin
American cinema

How Chinese film fans embraced Cloud Atlas, movie spurned elsewhere

The Wachowkis and Tom Tykwer’s adaptation of David Mitchell’s novel was a box-office flop everywhere except China, despite a starry cast.

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Tom Hanks and Raevan Lee Hanan in a still from Cloud Atlas. The 2012 film by the Wachowskis and Tom Tykwer, based on David Mitchell’s novel, flopped everywhere except China, despite fans there seeing an edited version. Photo: Warner Bros
China’s Communist Party

China stamps out AI misuse to preserve national literature and ideology

Beijing seeks to balance AI use to boost the economy while combating deepfakes, digital misinformation and altering of public perception.

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Accidents and disasters in China

Man accused of stabbing Japanese boy jobless with criminal record: Chinese media

Information about the sensitive case is tightly controlled by Chinese police, media and internet censors.

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