Celebration photo is something to talk about: why the photo of two Chinese sprinters was censored

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Critical reporting and opinions about the Chinese government are censored on social media in China and the internet is monitored – that is no secret. But the latest incident at the Asian Games in Hangzhou illustrates how far the Communist Party under President Xi Jinping is going.

In the final of the women’s 100 meter hurdles, Chinese sprinter Wu Yanni (26) made a false start and was disqualified. Instead of accepting the verdict, she argues with the sports judges.

Number causes dissatisfaction

Finally the athletes can participate again. Yanni takes silver behind her compatriot Lin Yuwei (24). Shortly after crossing the finish line, the two alleged Chinese medalists lie in each other’s arms. Dozens of photos are taken of the two athletes. No problem, right? Apparently for the Chinese state.

Because: The starting numbers six and four can be seen on the hips of Yuwei and Yanni. If the two are hugging next to each other, it produces the number 64 – and that is not allowed on China’s social media. It represents June 4, 1989 and the Tiananmen Square massacre. At the time, the military brutally fought anti-democracy protests in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, killing hundreds of people.

To this day, China tries to erase the event from the collective memory of its people. An analysis by the BBC shows that the images of the two athletes were censored with gray squares on China’s most widely used network Weibo. You can also encounter the same phenomenon on other social media. It is not yet known whether the government is actually behind this.

By the way: Yanni was subsequently disqualified. (Gentlemen)

Source : Blick