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In Xi Jinping’s China, nationalism is taking a dark turn. With a push from the government, angry mobs online swarm any perceived disloyalty to the country. “China cannot return to the Cultural Revolution.” Big story by @Chao_Deng @lizalinwsj @qianweizhang https://on.wsj.com/3oiyoqb
Thousands threatened Wuhan writer Fang Fang after her widely-read diary was translated into English. “Shave your head or kill yourself to atone for your sins against the people,” said one. Assault her, using your “clenched fists of justice,” said another. https://on.wsj.com/3oiyoqb
Surging nationalism is a natural response to the country’s rising stature, the feelings rooted in genuine pride. But the government has also taken a key role in stoking sentiment, building an online ecosystem favoring content promoting the Communist Party. https://on.wsj.com/3oiyoqb
In the past, China’s internet censors allowed for limited debate on social issues. That's changed as Xi builds a new type of great power combining autocratic government and high-tech social control with a pervasive hypernationalism to drown out dissent. https://on.wsj.com/3oiyoqb
Of course, this is not the Cultural Revolution, though today's dynamic combines “the vitriol, hysteria and violent intent of its Mao-era ancestor with…digital surveillance…If America or Europeans think they have ‘cancel culture,’ they don’t have a clue.” https://on.wsj.com/3oiyoqb
Qin Qianhong, adviser to Wuhan’s government, says unfettered nationalism is preventing reflection on how China could have handled the virus better, which means China could repeat its mistakes next time. “The feeling being given is that we’re 100% perfect.” https://on.wsj.com/3oiyoqb
An online shop run by Lao Lishi, who won gold and silver medals for diving at the 2004 Olympics, came under attack after she posted a state-media article about a Wuhan nurse who had died from Covid-19. “How did an Olympics champion rot into a party hater?” https://on.wsj.com/3oiyoqb
Lao said this summer Weibo had suspended her main account for a year for violating unspecified regulations. Lao declined an interview request. “To say anything right now wouldn’t be right, please understand.” https://on.wsj.com/3oiyoqb
One Wuhan drone engineer, a Party member who got the virus, was hounded online and forced to write self-criticisms after dissing Chinese medicine on TV. “People have lost the ability to think independently…A nobody like me cannot speak up.” https://on.wsj.com/3oiyoqb
