Censorship in China
Definition:
Censorship is the suppression or prohibition of speech, public communication, or information deemed objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or a threat to societal norms by governments, private institutions, or even individuals (self-censorship). It involves controlling what people can see, read, or hear by altering or banning content in media such as books, films, the internet, and art, often justified by national security, morality, or political control.
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Chinese author censorship in 2025 is a multifaceted system of state-mandated restrictions, platform-led "soft censorship," and pervasive individual self-censorship.
Current Censorship Landscape (2025)
- Intensified Enforcement: In mid-2025, authorities launched broad crackdowns on online literary subcultures, particularly targeting Danmei (Boys' Love) authors. Mass arrests of over 50 writers occurred in provinces like Anhui and Gansu for "disseminating obscene electronic messages".
- "Soft Censorship" and Algorithms: Platforms like Jinjiang Literature City and Qidian use automated redaction and human editors to "cleanse" content before publication. This includes blocking "incorrect values," specific sexual terms, or politically sensitive metaphors.
- Technological Controls: In 2025, software like the word processor WPS has been accused of automatically locking authors out of their own private drafts if sensitive content is detected.
Key Aspects of Chinese Author Censorship
- Government Oversight: The General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) (and related bodies) screens and bans publications, holding publishers accountable.
- Self-Censorship: Authors and platforms often preemptively censor themselves to avoid penalties, creating an environment of fear.
- Content Restrictions: Censors target anything deemed politically sensitive (challenging the Party), sexually explicit (erotica, danmei), violent, or historically inaccurate/critical (e.g., Tiananmen, Soviet occupation).
- Vague Standards & Blacklists: Rules are often ambiguous, leading to "invisible blacklists" and asterisking out sensitive words, making compliance difficult.
- Platform Crackdowns: Online platforms (Jinjiang, Lofter) face shutdowns or "self-rectification," blocking popular works like Mo Dao Zu Shi (The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation).
- Evolving Targets: Censorship isn't static; themes deemed acceptable can quickly become forbidden, as seen with dark fantasy, danmei, and even coded political commentary.
- Consequences for Authors: Failure to comply risks losing the right to publish; severe cases can lead to prosecution for "incitement".
Methods of Censorship:
- Invisible Blacklists: Keywords flagged, leading to asterisks or blanked-out text.
- Platform Pressure: Self-censorship by platforms like Jinjiang Literature.
- Removal/Banning: Shutting down novels or adaptations.
- Legal Action: Arresting writers, particularly for LGBTQ+ content.
- Narrative Alteration: Changing endings or plot points to conform (e.g., happy endings for BL).
Key Sensitive Topics ("Red Lines")
Censorship typically targets any work that challenges CCP authority or "public morality":
- The "Three Ts": Taiwan, Tibet, and the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.
- Historical Nihilism: Reinterpreting official history, such as the Cultural Revolution or the Great Famine, is strictly prohibited.
- Erotica: Explicit sexual depictions and "effeminate" male aesthetics are suppressed under "anti-pornography" campaigns.
- Political Sensitivity: Criticizing the CCP, promoting democracy, corruption, police brutality, or anything questioning authority.
- LGBTQ+ Content (Danmei): "Boys' Love" (BL) and "Girls' Love" (GL) are heavily suppressed; explicit gay romance is banned, leading to adaptations changing it to "brotherhood" or using "mouthed words" (subtext).
- Explicit Sexuality/Pornography: Strict bans on anything "below the neck," including suggestive euphemisms like "perfect harmony," leading to AI censorship of common words.
- Supernatural/Fantasy: Ghosts, cults, or anything that could be seen as promoting superstition or challenging scientific/party-approved narratives.
- Social Taboos: Drug use, gambling, extreme violence, or even content deemed "deviant" or "vulgar"
Notable Censored Authors
- Mo Xiang Tong Xiu: The popular Danmei author of Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation was sentenced to prison in 2020 for "illegal business operations" and released on parole in 2021.
- Yan Lianke: Frequently banned for satirical works like Serve the People! and Dream of Ding Village.
- Gao Xingjian: The 2000 Nobel laureate remains banned in mainland China for his criticisms of the state.
- Murong Xuecun: A vocal critic and "word criminal" who often publishes complete versions of his works only outside the mainland (e.g., Taiwan or Hong Kong).
Author Strategies & Responses
- Line-Ball Writing: Authors attempt to "toe the line" by using metaphors, coded language, or "bromance" as a masquerade for romance to evade filters.
- External Publishing: Many authors now seek publishers in Taiwan or Hong Kong to release uncensored versions, though the 2020 National Security Law has significantly narrowed Hong Kong's previous role as a "censor-free" hub.
- Self-Censorship: Writers often instinctively delete phrases to ensure their work can reach a mainland audience, a phenomenon described as a "state of mind" cultivated over generations.
Result:
Authors use euphemisms, code words, or focus on "positive" themes to avoid detection, but the system is constantly tightening, making even subtle romance challenging.
In essence, Chinese censorship creates a complex, shifting landscape where authors must navigate political sensitivities, moral standards, and vague guidelines to publish, often resorting to allegory or self-censorship to survive or out of fear.
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