Wenn ich ein Chinese wäre

Si fuera pekinés

Media e censura a Pechino

Si j'étais Pékinois

Gdybyś był Chińczykiem

If I Were From Beijing

Chinese people make do without Google, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter. Instead, the regime has built its own online offer. How is this Chinese internet structured and what does it mean for democracy and debate?

China carefully controls the information that its people have access to, and Google, Facebook and Twitter flag up uncomfortable truths that would be better forgotten. But the country still wants to use the internet: so instead China, has developed its own sanitised ecosystem of plaforms. Nothing is anti-government or pro-democracy, and most users are flooded with messages of consumerism and entertainment. 

If I Were From Beijing (1/6)

China has developed its own sanitised ecosystem of social media plaforms

China, Country of Censorship

Hu Xijin is a central figure in China's media world. He's been editor-in-chief of the Global Times for 13 years. He's the CCP-approved authority on current affairs. The daily newspaper focuses on political issues and has a circulation of 2.4 million. 

If I Were From Beijing (2/6)

Hu Xijin has been editor-in-chief of the Global Times for 13 years. He's the CCP-approved authority on current affairs

Hu Xijin – The Voice of China

Papi Jiang is one of the biggest internet stars of recent years. The 33-year-old from Shanghai speaks to her young Chinese audience about every day sources of humour and conflict. But even her funny, seemingly apolitical videos have got her into trouble with the government.

If I Were From Beijing (3/6)

Papi Jiang's funny, seemingly apolitical videos have got her into trouble with the government

Papi Jiang - Star Comedian

Li Jiaqi is China's famous lipstick consultant. In his livestreams, he tests hundreds of colours and brands. The record: 380 in two hours. His fan base of over 45 million followers hang on to every word that comes from his lips - whatever their colour.

If I Were From Beijing (4/6)

Li Jiaqi is a lipstick influencer in China. He once tested a whopping 380 lipsticks in two hours for his 45 million followers

Li Jiaqi - Livestreamer

Jack Ma is the 20th richest person in the world. He founded Alibaba, the largest online trading platform in China. He is one of China's most stunning success stories. He's spent $7 billion of his private assets on buying up sections of the media, most notably the South China Morning Post, a newspaper once famed for its editorial independence and criticism of Beijing.

If I Were From Beijing (5/6)

Jack Ma is the 20th richest person in the world. He founded Alibaba, the largest online trading platform in China

Jack Ma - Successful Entrepreneur

It is possible to have debate and discussion in China, even critical discussion; albeit within a fixed framework, sanctioned and monitored by the regime. Journalist Cui Yongyuan has made it his habit to step right up to the limit of what he's allowed to do. And sometimes he oversteps that limit.

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Journalist Cui Yongyuan has made it his habit to step right up to the limit of what he's allowed to do