China culture crackdown a sign of ‘profound’ political change–commentary

The Chinese national flag is seen in Beijing, China April 29, 2020. REUTERS FILE PHOTO

SHANGHAI — China’s crackdown on celebrity culture and its moves to rein in giant internet firms are a sign of “profound” political changes under way in the country, a prominent blogger said in a post widely circulated across state media.

The Chinese government has recently taken action against what it has described as “chaotic” online fan club culture, and has also punished celebrities for tax evasion and other offenses.

In a wide-ranging series of interventions in the economy, it has also promised to tackle inequality, “excessively high” incomes, soaring property prices and profit-seeking education institutions.

“This is a transformation from the capital at the centre to people at the centre,” nationalist author Li Guangman wrote in an essay originally posted on his official Wechat channel.

“This is also a return to the original intentions of the Chinese Communist Party … a return to the essence of socialism,” he wrote in an article that was republished by the Xinhua news agency and the Communist Party’s official newspaper, the People’s Daily.

Li, identified as a former editor at a state-run publication, said China’s markets would “no longer be a paradise allowing capitalists to get rich overnight”, adding that culture would not be a haven for celebrities and public opinion would “no longer be a place to worship Western culture”.

“Therefore, we need to control all the cultural chaos and build a lively, healthy, masculine, strong and people-oriented culture,” he wrote.

Since coming to power in 2012, Chinese President Xi Jinping has sought to enhance the role of the ruling Communist Party in all areas of society, including its businesses, schools and cultural institutions.

In a speech marking the centenary of the Party in July, Xi vowed to “enhance” the Party’s powers, uphold his own “core” leadership and strengthen the unity of the Chinese people.