Source: New York Times
“China’s censors are moving to stamp out more than just political dissent online. Now, they are targeting the public mood itself — punishing bloggers and influencers whose weary posts are resonating widely in a country where optimism is fraying. … The two-month campaign, launched by the Cyberspace Administration of China in late September, is aimed at purging content that incites ‘excessively pessimistic sentiment’ and panic or promotes defeatist ideas such as ‘hard work is useless,’ according to a notice from the agency. … Beijing is concerned that such pessimism doesn’t just discourage citizens from being productive members of society. It could turn into criticism of the ruling Communist Party.” (10/08/25)