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kong qingdong on reporters a nuisance

Right now journalists are a major public nuisance in our country.

Right now journalists are a major public nuisance in our country.

David Bandurski

CMP Director

Latest Articles

The Slow Close of an Era

Feb 4, 2025 | David Bandurski

This year dawned with the closure of another batch of print newspapers in China. The relentless death of print continues in the country — mirroring a global trend.

Uncovering the Scam Industry

Feb 3, 2025 | Positive Connections

Through on-the-ground reporting, the WeChat-based outlet Positive Connections offers rare insight into the cyber scam compounds along the Thailand-Myanmar border — questioning prevailing Chinese public opinion that scapegoats Southeast Asian countries.

Central and Local Media Join Forces in Thailand

Jan 24, 2025 | David Bandurski

A Bangkok summit celebrating China’s engagement in Southeast Asia reveals Beijing’s growing use of both national and provincial propaganda outlets to shape regional narratives.

A Golden Friendship

Jan 23, 2025 | Dalia Parete

A forum in Bangkok this month underscored China’s ambition to work with local partners in Southeast Asia to impact public opinion there. A closer look at one of the propaganda vehicles meant to accomplish this goal suggests carelessness reigns down below such high-level exchanges.

China’s Fastest-Growing App

Jan 22, 2025 | Alex Colville

With all eyes on TikTok’s trials and tribulations in the US, the fact that its parent company, ByteDance, has a white-hot new app back in China is easy to overlook. China’s regulators haven’t.

Vacancies for Global Propaganda

Jan 21, 2025 | Alex Colville

How does China imagine its push for international “discourse power” will unfold? The types of people CCP and government-linked entities are trying to recruit offers an illuminating snapshot.

American Refugees

Jan 16, 2025 | David Bandurski

As TikTok users seek asylum on China’s RedNote, and glee ensues from commentators in the world’s most restricted internet environment, the lines of repression in the promised land are quickly revealing themselves.

A Proposal for AI-Powered Censorship

Jan 14, 2025 | David Bandurski

A delegate to Shanghai’s annual political meeting has submitted a proposal for using AI to better control social media content.

Cutting Micro-Dramas Down to Size

Jan 9, 2025 | Alex Colville

China’s government has signaled stricter rules this year for micro-dramas, a bite-size entertainment format with mega market potential.

Total War for Global Minds

Jan 7, 2025 | Alex Colville

CCP leaders are mobilizing society in an all-out bid to revolutionize the country’s international communication. Will the strategy end in absurdity and waste?

AI for All

Dec 20, 2024 | Alex Colville

China is positioning itself as an alternative source of AI technology for the global south, undercutting the influence of the West and expanding its own in a critical new field.

China’s Global Talent Crunch

Dec 6, 2024 | Alex Colville

China has placed its hopes for greater global influence on a new national network of provincial and city-level communication centers. But as they try to tell China’s story in ways that foreign audiences find compelling, can they find the talented staff they need at home?

Telling Zhejiang’s Story

Dec 4, 2024 | Alex Colville

As international communication centers, or ICCs, open across China to beef up its global impact, one province has become home to a disproportionate number. What’s behind the ICC boom in Zhejiang?

‘Iron Brothers’ for the China Story

Nov 22, 2024 | Dalia Parete

Launched in Pakistan eight years ago, Huashang Weekly offers an up-close look at how China is telling its story overseas by propping up news outlets that amplify its voice.

Catching Predators in the County Government

Nov 14, 2024 | Dalia Parete

Coverage in China this month of the rape of a 13-year-old girl, a case involving local officials, has drawn the focus to shortcomings in sexual assault protections as well as government corruption.

Hangzhou’s Tower of Influence

Nov 13, 2024 | Ryan Ho Kilpatrick

In a fascinating feature story this week, Shanghai’s The Paper took a look at an apartment building in Zhejiang province’s capital city that has a reputation for hosting more than its fair share of online influencers.

Commending a Compliant Press

Nov 12, 2024 | David Bandurski

Unlike international holidays to celebrate freedom of speech and affirm the crucial role of journalists in open societies, China’s annual Journalist’s Day rewards — and commands — obedience.

Hu Xijin Quietly Returns

Nov 8, 2024 | Alex Colville

One of China’s most patriotic and combative online commentators went silent back in July, when he apparently stepped over the line in commenting on a decision from the leadership. He is back, though not yet with much to say.

Harris in the Fissures of Online Hate

Nov 5, 2024 | Initium Media

For many Chinese Americans, vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris is an inspirational figure, the perfect daughter of an immigrant family. But in the spaces frequented by Mandarin-speaking audiences on X, WeChat and Douyin, she has faced a torrent of racism and hate.

Cloaking What China Says

Oct 31, 2024 | Alex Colville

This week in a study session of the Politburo, Xi Jinping talked about “innovating internet propaganda.” Part of the answer to how China plans to do this lies in its growing network of cloaked official accounts. We take a deeper look.

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