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China Newspeak

A history of "hurt feelings" in China

When it comes to “hurting the feelings of the Chinese people,” a common CCP catchphrase used for perceived slights, which countries or groups have been the biggest culprits? CMP investigates.

David Bandurski

CMP Director

Latest Articles

Silence for Sale

May 12, 2026 | David Bandurski

Recent state media reports about a social media scheme targeting companies during the sensitive period before a stock market listing reveals the stubborn persistence of news extortion in China. But where does the root of the problem lie?

Beware the Tigers

Apr 30, 2026 | David Bandurski

As China’s provincial propaganda apparatus reaches into Europe through cultural diplomacy, even storied universities can find themselves unwitting partners in the enterprise.

Glimmers for the Printed Page

Apr 21, 2026 | David Bandurski

As China launches its first National Reading Week, an official push for a “society of readers” — entranced by the nostalgic scent of the printed book — runs headlong into a nation glued to its screens.

How China’s Press Abandoned Its Readers

Apr 15, 2026 | David Bandurski

A WeChat post arguing that China’s dying newspapers did not just lose readers — they abandoned them first — was swiftly censored for violating “relevant laws.”

Sweeping the Ancestors Aside

Apr 8, 2026 | David Bandurski

On China’s ancient festival of tomb sweeping and remembrance, the Communist Party ensures the only dead honored publicly are the martyrs that carry forward its message of legitimacy.

No Foundation for the PLA

Apr 3, 2026 | David Bandurski

An official Chinese military social media account finds fault with a popular costume drama and the flawless face of its battle-ready star — and in doing so, drops the mask on an image crisis.

AI for Human Propaganda

Apr 1, 2026 | David Bandurski

While journalism cultures around the world grapple seriously with the impact of AI, China’s closed and repressive media system can only celebrate the trend as a technological boost for the storytelling of the state.

AI Poisoning

Mar 24, 2026 | David Bandurski

A wave of state media coverage this month has warned Chinese consumers about the dangers of AI recommendation rigging. Behind the moralizing is another message: The state that reserves the right to manipulate.

The Great Broadcasting Retreat

Mar 12, 2026 | Dalia Parete

China is shutting down hundreds of local TV and radio channels — and rebuilding its propaganda apparatus online.

Folding Hong Kong Into the China Story

Mar 4, 2026 | David Bandurski

As south China provinces multiply cross-border media partnerships with Hong Kong outlets, a Guangxi state media center and a Hong Kong newspaper team up to advance Beijing’s Greater Bay Area integration narrative.

A Prize Against the Odds

Mar 2, 2026 | David Bandurski

China’s independent “Pulitzer” returns — honoring journalists at both grassroots and state-run outlets who pursue accountability reporting despite enormous personal risk.

Projecting Light in the Shadows

Feb 25, 2026 | Qichang Yan

The shuttering of New York’s IndieChina film festival sent ripples through the independent screening ecosystem for Chinese films globally. Meet the volunteers keeping the spirit of independent film alive.

Chinese Surveillance Gets the AI Treatment

Feb 24, 2026 | Alex Colville

A series of patents filed the past two years indicates that institutions across China are working out how to use AI to improve grassroots surveillance

Tracking Global Narratives

Feb 9, 2026 | David Bandurski

A procurement document reveals the process behind China’s media diplomacy — tracking global coverage to shape outreach strategy and identify partnership opportunities.

Happy New Year, Potter

Feb 5, 2026 | Dalia Parete

Draco Malfoy becomes China’s Lunar New Year mascot as his name’s perfect translation sparks a viral decoration trend.

The Silenced Profession

Feb 3, 2026 | Yu Tian

The recent detention by local police in Chengdu of investigative journalist Liu Hu underscores the most extreme dangers facing Chinese journalists. In this report for Tian Jian, freelancer Tian Yu explores the pressures confronting reporters at every level—from on-site obstruction and disappeared articles to institutional review mechanisms, inform…

Xi Jinping: A Year in the Headlines

Jan 26, 2026 | Alex Colville

China’s leader maintained a commanding lead in the headlines of the CCP’s flagship People’s Daily in 2025, despite a substantial decline over the past year. What do these mixed signals mean?

Shanghai’s Last Newsstand

Jan 16, 2026 | Dalia Parete

As China pushes a national reading initiative and AI reshapes information, one Shanghai shop offering 1,000 publications represents a vanishing era of relative editorial variety.

A Tradition in Retreat

Jan 14, 2026 | Tian Jian

As Chinese media publish annual New Year’s messages, the space for truth-telling continues to narrow in Xi Jinping’s China.

Are You Dead Yet?

Jan 13, 2026 | Dalia Parete

A bluntly branded daily check-in app sparks debate over sensitivities around death in China while grappling with the country’s growing crisis of solo-living and related safety concerns.