Chinese censors have set their sights on Winnie the Pooh, or Little Bear Winnie, as hes known there. Searches and comments with references to him, have been blocked with the error message this content is illegal.
Although the Chinese government hasnt given an official reason, censorship in China is used almost exclusively to protect the image of the regime. Pooh has, in China, popularly been used as a comparison to President Xi Jinping for the past four years or so, in increasing popularity. Not a half bad meme, but probably the reason for the shows complete censorship.
Many important facts remain mysteries to the 1.3 billion people that call China home. The ruling party remains democratically unchallenged while it mitigates every aspect of its subjects lives. The authority of the party is unquestioned and it has the ability to fabricate reality for the massive portion of the world under its domain.
As with any subject of political censorship, it is our duty as free people to inform all within our reach of the facts being denied by state actors. Be it genocide or subversive imagery, the world deserves to know. No one should have the right to withhold any form of information from a fifth of the worlds population.
So, without further adieu, here are some illegal memes.
The following gained popularity in 2013, contrasted with a popular photo of Obama and Xi out for a stroll
The following, from 2014, was a comparison made after Xis meeting with the President of Japan
In 2015, Global Risk Insights labeled the following Chinas most censored photo of the year
Pooh bear. Honey lover. Friend of Christopher Robin. Revolutionary terrorist threat to the Chinese government that strikes fear into the hearts of decent Party Members everywhere.