Chinese censors are strategically managing public conversations about the recently implemented U.S. tariffs. While President Trump's tariffs have increased import taxes on Chinese goods to a hefty 104 percent, Chinese state media is crafting a narrative that emphasizes the United States' alleged shortcomings without addressing the details of the tariffs directly.
On Weibo, a widely-used social media platform in China, hashtags referencing “104” and the “tariff rate” encountered censorship, displaying error message prohibiting their visibility. Conversely, hashtags that mock America or bolster China's image, such as “America is fighting a trade war while begging for eggs”—a phrase initiated by state broadcaster CCTV—were permitted to trend.
The Chinese government’s media outlets adopted a bold approach, with opinion articles from the People’s Daily, the Chinese Communist Party’s main publication, proclaiming that China has adapted to the challenges posed by trade disputes and will fortify its economy as a result. One article affirmed, “In Chinese people’s genes, we never fear any risks, challenges, difficulties or contradictions, and can regard all kinds of external pressure as the driving force for our own progress.”
Furthermore, media outlets focused on the resilience of the Chinese economy without directly addressing the tariffs. An article from People’s Daily discussed measures to support employment for new graduates, positioning this approach as part of China's economic strategy to mitigate the effects of international pressures.
In tandem with these official narratives, numerous Weibo influencers have echoed sentiments asserting the trade war as evidence of U.S. decline, declaring it a moment for China to showcase its strength on the global stage. The strategic censorship and media tactics indicate a carefully orchestrated attempt by the Chinese government to shape public perception in the face of heightened trade tensions with the United States.
On Weibo, a widely-used social media platform in China, hashtags referencing “104” and the “tariff rate” encountered censorship, displaying error message prohibiting their visibility. Conversely, hashtags that mock America or bolster China's image, such as “America is fighting a trade war while begging for eggs”—a phrase initiated by state broadcaster CCTV—were permitted to trend.
The Chinese government’s media outlets adopted a bold approach, with opinion articles from the People’s Daily, the Chinese Communist Party’s main publication, proclaiming that China has adapted to the challenges posed by trade disputes and will fortify its economy as a result. One article affirmed, “In Chinese people’s genes, we never fear any risks, challenges, difficulties or contradictions, and can regard all kinds of external pressure as the driving force for our own progress.”
Furthermore, media outlets focused on the resilience of the Chinese economy without directly addressing the tariffs. An article from People’s Daily discussed measures to support employment for new graduates, positioning this approach as part of China's economic strategy to mitigate the effects of international pressures.
In tandem with these official narratives, numerous Weibo influencers have echoed sentiments asserting the trade war as evidence of U.S. decline, declaring it a moment for China to showcase its strength on the global stage. The strategic censorship and media tactics indicate a carefully orchestrated attempt by the Chinese government to shape public perception in the face of heightened trade tensions with the United States.
