IN FOCUS
By Dincy Adlakha 

Chinese social media on Ukraine: Censorship and propaganda

On 12 March, the BBC covered a report that claimed Chinese authorities have been removing posts that sympathize with Ukraine from local social media platforms like Weibo, WeChat and the like. 

Previously, on 27 February, the New York Times also reported Chinese media being pro-Russian invasion. 

The online debate and censorship 
The BBC report cited instructions “accidentally” released to the public by the Cyberspace Administration of China that were supposed to be released internally. The instructions intended to “strictly control the content on Ukraine situation” and urged “commercial websites, local media and self-published media to not conduct live streams or use hashtags on the Ukraine situation.”

Online social media platforms have noted that over 4000 posts on Ukraine have been deleted in the past two weeks. China’s TikTok, Douyin confirmed the deletion of 500 videos and over 2500 comments while Weibo and Bilibili suspended accounts as well. WeChat urged its users to remain “objective” and “rational” while posting on Ukraine. Unsurprisingly, most of the deleted posts sympathized with Ukraine and called for peace.

On the other hand, pro-Russia sentiments have been promoted through state-run traditional media which easily catches on by social media too. Many users are calling Russian President Putin as “Putin the Great” and “best legacy of the Soviet Union” or “best strategist of the century” while they praise him for his war speeches.

The New York Times recognizes a pattern in Chinese social media posts created by a “generation of online warriors” who praise all the policies of President Xi Jinping. The report terms these nationalistic youth on online media as “little pinks” who spread the messages of “wolf warrior” diplomats. 

How does China control its social media?
China has been notorious for its control of press freedom. It was ranked 177 in the 2021 World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders. China was above only Eritrea, North Korea and Turkmenistan. 

In August 2021, China issued the Draft Internet Information Service Algorithmic Recommendation Management Provisions. The provisions provided a framework to regulate the recommendations on Chinese social media through algorithms. The state argued that the move is necessary to avoid “disinformation” and “strengthen national security.” China specifically targetted big technological giants and their social media applications like Weibo through these provisions. It provided greater code control to the state authorities to curb fake users, manipulation of search rankings, management of popular keywords among other reasons. 

On 1 March 2022, a new regulation came into effect in China that aimed at curbing the influence of the Big Tech companies in shaping online views and opinions. The regulation incidentally timed with the Russia-Ukraine war. The big companies were urged to “promote positive energy” and allow users to refuse customised recommendations. This new regulation boldly makes it easy for the state to monitor the content posted on social media and turn directions of the content if needed.

Through such legislation and algorithms, Chinese authorities have been active in recognizing targetted posts and removing them instantly. Additionally, it also helps the authorities to infuse desirable content into the system.

Previous instances
Previously as well, the Chinese control of online media came to the spotlight. Most recent examples include the banning of keywords related to Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai. During the controversial disappearance of Shuai, there were multiple reports citing the removal of her account, her posts and all keywords related to her. Additionally, these algorithms are utilised in China to promote the messages from President Xi Jinping, calling it “Xiplomacy.”

In the current situation as well, the removal of posts sympathizing with Ukraine adds question marks to the neutral stance China has chosen to diplomatically hold. 

References:
Kai Wang, “Ukraine: How China is censoring online discussion of the war,” BBC, 12 March 2022
Samuel Wade, “Minitrue: Turn Down Temperature, Strictly Control Content on Ukraine Situation,” China Digital Times, 4 March 2022
Tracy Qu, “China’s algorithm law takes effect to curb Big Tech’s sway in public opinion,” South China Morning Post, 1 March 2022
Li Yuan, “Why the Chinese Internet Is Cheering Russia’s Invasion,” The New York Times, 27 February 2022
Sapni G K and Mihir Mahajan, “Understanding China’s Draft Algorithm Regulations,” The Diplomat, 16 September 2021
“2021 World Press Freedom Index,” Reporters Without Border, n.d.

IN BRIEF
By Avishka Ashok and Dincy Adlakha 

INTERNAL
COVID-19: Hong Kong to review restrictions as cases decrease
On 20 March, Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam said that the authorities are considering removing the COVID-19 restrictions in the city as the cases have dropped. The city was reporting more than 50,000 daily infections in early March. However, the daily caseload has started reducing in the past week. She said: “Having gone through the peak that you have seen here ... I think a responsible government should regularly and vigorously review these measures, to see whether there is room for adjustment. I wouldn’t promise now that there’s room for adjustment. But following a review, we have a duty to account for the findings in this review and the direction we will take.” (“Hong Kong will review COVID-19 restrictions as cases decline,” The Asahi Shimbun, 20 March 2022)

COVID-19: Shenzhen cases controllable; authorities lift the lockdown
On 20 March, Shenzhen city lifted the city-wide week-long lockdown as the local authorities reported that the daily caseload is manageable. The government released a notice that said: “ Although the city’s COVID-19 situation is still grim, the spread within the community is still manageable.” Government agencies and companies have been allowed to operate at normal functioning levels. However, transport services like bus and subway will resume gradually within the week. The development follows a previous order that called for a phased reopening of the city under which partial lifting of restrictions started from 18 March in five districts of the city. The local municipalities have vowed to maintain strict measures in place to control the spread of the virus and urged the public against mass gatherings. (“Shenzhen lifts citywide lockdown as Covid-19 situation seen controllable,” The Straits Times, 21 March 2022)

REGIONAL
Migrant workers in Taiwan: Indonesian immigrants report discrimination and struggles
On 20 March, South China Morning Post published an article on the struggles and discrimination faced by Indonesian migrant workers in Taiwan. The article uncovered that people from regional countries are attracted by the prospects of a good job in Taiwan; however, have to face verbal abuse and discrimination. The article was based on an interview of the main character of a documentary on the same subject. Reporting on the experience during COVID-19, the article recounted the banning of the arrival of Indonesian migrant workers in December 2020 and the looks of suspicion and discriminatory behaviour with the ones present in Taiwan. The authorities maintain that their policies of comprehensive protection have greatly benefitted the migrants. (“Indonesian migrant workers in Taiwan face struggles, discrimination,” South China Morning Post, 20 March 2022)

INTERNATIONAL
BRI: Serbia and Hungary inaugurate Belgrade-Budapest railway project
On 20 March, Global Times reported that officials from Serbia and Hungary held an inauguration ceremony to mark the start of operations of the Belgrade-Budapest railway, a flagship project of the BRI. The development was reported on the website of the Chinese Embassy in Serbia. The railways were inaugurated through a symbolic train journey by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, along with other officials. The railway station in Belgrade Novi Sad section was built by China Communications Construction and China Railway International. Additionally, Russian companies were also involved in the construction, German companies installed equipment and the trains were manufactured in Switzerland. (“Officials inaugurate section of Belgrade-Budapest railway, a flagship BRI project,” Global Times, 20 March 2022)

The US: Hong Kong suspends import of poultry products due to bird flu
On 21 March, the Centre for Food Safety of the Hong Kong SAR government announced its decision to suspend its import of poultry meat and other sub products from a number of flu-affected areas in the US. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department of the HKSAR government issued the notice after the World Health Organization notified regarding a highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in the US. The city will impose restrictions on poultry products originating from Queen Anne’s County, Maryland, Jefferson County, Wisconsin, Taylor County, Iowa and Lawrence County and Jasper County, Missouri. (“Hong Kong suspends import of poultry products from U.S. over bird flu,” Xinhua Net, 21 March 2022)

Africa: Revised protocols increase trade with China and East Asia 
On 20 March, Xinhua Net reported that the African countries like South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe revised their trading protocols to help them access the Chinese markets more easily. The revised protocols will facilitate a greater availability of African agricultural products in the Chinese consumer markets. As a result of this enhanced deal, China shipped over 1,00,000 lemons to China in February 2022 and also increased the export of pears to East Asia by 22 per cent. Other exports such as soybeans from Tanzania, avocado, tea, coffee and roses from Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia, beef from Namibia and Botswana and fruits f rom South Africa have also increased due to the new deal. (“More African agricultural products to enter Chinese market,” Xinhua Net, 20 March 2022)

Tanzania and Algeria: Foreign Ministers discuss mutually helpful relations
On 20 March, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi conducted a talk with the Foreign Ministers of Tanzania and Algeria. Wang Yi appreciated Algeria’s efforts in favouring peace and justice in the country. He called on the like-minded countries to unite and promote the idea of democracy in the region. Tanzania’s Foreign Minister Mulamula said: “Tanzania is committed to building its relations with China into a new benchmark for Africa-China ties.” Wang Yi observed that the friendship between the two countries had ameliorated and that China would be willing to elevate the relations to a strategic and long-term level. (“Chinese FM holds talks with Algerian, Tanzanian counterparts,” Xinhua Net, 20 March 2022)