Winnie-the-Pooh, the lovable bear from A.A. Milne’s children’s books, may seem like an unlikely character to cause discomfort to Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, any mention of this fictional bear on the Chinese internet is guaranteed to attract the attention of the authorities. This peculiar situation stems from a meme that originated in 2013 when a social media user remarked on the resemblance between Xi Jinping and Winnie-the-Pooh’s energetic friend, Tigger when Xi Jinping visited Barack Obama at the White House. President Obama’s tall and slender physique was in stark contrast to President Xi’s shorter and slightly plump appearance. Thus, a meme was born.
In China, where direct criticism of the Communist Party and its leaders is quickly censored, netizens often resort to creative ways to express their grievances and mockery without drawing too much attention from authorities. For a while, Winnie-the-Pooh became the symbol of this elusive resistance. Online references to the character were code words for Xi Jinping. In 2015, a photograph of Xi Jinping poking his head through the sunroof of a limousine during a military parade was widely compared to a picture of Winnie-the-Pooh sitting in a toy car. Surprisingly, it became China’s most-censored image of the year.
Despite the light-hearted nature of these comparisons, Xi Jinping’s thin skin and obsession with maintaining an infallible image make him intolerant to any form of ribbing, even the most gentle. With an accumulation of power unseen since Mao Zedong, Xi Jinping has cultivated a cult of personality around himself. Party cadres are expected to learn his wisdom by rote, and questioning or mocking him is strictly prohibited.
To enforce this control over online information, Chinese authorities employ armies of censors and secret police to monitor and delete content that goes against the official narrative. Internet companies also employ tens of thousands of moderators to swiftly remove any banned ideas or images, including those featuring Winnie-the-Pooh. Such extreme measures highlight the lengths to which Xi Jinping’s government is willing to go to maintain control over public perception.
It is worth noting that while many once believed that the widespread use of smartphones and freely circulating online information would challenge China’s authoritarian regime, this has not been the case. Xi Jinping’s government has proved itself more than capable of adapting and maintaining control.
As we navigate the delicate balance between authoritarian control and freedom of expression, it is crucial to recognize the significance of these seemingly innocuous symbols and the power they can hold in the face of oppressive regimes. In the case of Winnie-the-Pooh, a beloved children’s character has become a potent tool of resistance in the ever-evolving landscape of Chinese censorship.
In conclusion, the story of how Winnie-the-Pooh became an uncomfortable subject for Xi Jinping sheds light on the authoritarian regime’s sensitivity and their determination to maintain a carefully curated public image. It serves as a reminder that even the most innocuous symbols can carry powerful messages in the realm of political dissent. As we navigate an increasingly interconnected world, it becomes crucial to protect and preserve the power of creative expression and maintain the values of freedom and democracy in the face of oppressive regimes.
