Executive Summary
- The Chinese government has initiated a two-month campaign to combat “excessively exaggerated negative and pessimistic sentiments” across its social media platforms.
- This initiative is a direct response to escalating economic challenges, high youth unemployment, and growing frustration contributing to widespread online despondency.
- Authorities are cracking down on high-profile online content creators and issuing stern warnings to major social media platforms to curb the spread of negative content.
The Story So Far
- China is currently experiencing a significant economic slowdown, characterized by a persistent property crisis and soaring youth unemployment, which has led to widespread frustration and pessimistic sentiments among its population, particularly among young people. In response to this growing online despondency and perceived “world-weariness,” the Chinese government has launched a campaign to “rectify negative emotions” and curb content deemed “excessively exaggerated negative and pessimistic” on its social media platforms, aiming to maintain social stability and control public discourse.
Why This Matters
- China’s two-month campaign to suppress “negative sentiments” online indicates an escalation of state control over public discourse, revealing Beijing’s deep concern that widespread economic pessimism and youth frustration could undermine social stability. This initiative is set to further restrict online expression and foster increased self-censorship among citizens and content creators, while pressuring social media platforms to enforce stricter content moderation, thereby limiting open discussion on the nation’s economic and societal challenges.
Who Thinks What?
- The Chinese government, through the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), believes that “excessively exaggerated negative and pessimistic sentiments” on social media are detrimental and seeks to “rectify negative emotions” to foster a “more civilised and rational online environment” in the public interest.
- Analysts and academics, such as Simon Sihang Luo, attribute the widespread online despondency to China’s significant economic slowdown, property crisis, soaring youth unemployment, and intense competition, which contribute to a “profound sense of generational despair” among young people.
- Online influencers and content creators, like Hu Chenfeng and Zhang Xuefeng, are seen by authorities as either exacerbating social divisions or reinforcing bleak narratives, despite their popularity stemming from addressing harsh realities or using humor, leading to their accounts being targeted or restricted.
The Chinese government has initiated a two-month campaign to counteract what it describes as “excessively exaggerated negative and pessimistic sentiments” across its social media platforms. This move comes as the nation grapples with escalating economic challenges and growing youth frustration, which have contributed to widespread online despondency.
Announced by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the initiative aims to “rectify negative emotions” and foster a “more civilised and rational online environment.” The campaign specifically targets popular narratives such as “studying is useless” and “hard work is useless,” alongside content that promotes “world-weariness.”
Economic Headwinds Fueling Despair
China is currently experiencing a significant economic slowdown, driven by a persistent property crisis, soaring youth unemployment rates, and intense competition for both education and job opportunities. These pervasive pressures are widely seen by analysts as contributing to a profound sense of generational despair among young people.
Simon Sihang Luo, an assistant professor of social sciences at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, highlighted the gravity of the situation. He noted that young people in China are confronting serious questions about their future prospects, acknowledging the likelihood that their livelihoods may be worse than that of their parents’ generation.
Crackdown on Online Influencers
In line with the campaign, authorities have already taken action against several high-profile content creators. Influencer Hu Chenfeng, for instance, saw his social media accounts removed after a viral livestream where he humorously categorized people and objects as either “Apple” or “Android,” interpreted by some as a shorthand for superior and inferior. While many found the joke amusing, others accused him of exacerbating social divisions.
Similarly, online education personality Zhang Xuefeng, known for his direct advice to students, had his accounts, which boast millions of followers, restricted from gaining new subscribers. Zhang had previously pledged a substantial donation if Beijing were to invade Taiwan, but observers suggest his broader popularity stemmed from reinforcing bleak narratives, advising students to confront harsh realities rather than pursue idealistic dreams.
Warnings Issued to Social Media Platforms
Major social media platforms, including Weibo, Xiaohongshu, and Kuaishou, have received stern warnings from authorities. They face “strict punishments” if they fail to effectively curb the spread of negative or trivial content on their platforms.
The CAC underscored the government’s rationale behind the campaign, stating that “a clear and healthy cyberspace is in the interests of the people.” This sentiment reflects Beijing’s ongoing efforts to manage online discourse and maintain social stability amidst economic uncertainty.
