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Of all the Chinese influencers active on Western social media, the youtuber Li Ziqi, 31, is probably the one that has attracted the most attention for a few years. With more than 16 million channel subscribers and 2.4 billion views amassed, she is known for showing the simple life in rural China, growing and cooking the food she prepares for her sick grandmother.
This year she entered the “Creator 25” list released by Forbes magazine with the most powerful content creators in the world. Fame brought millionaire contracts and more exposure.
In July, however, Li disappeared from social media. The mystery about her absence came to an end this week: she is suing the company that produced her videos, Hangzhou Weinian Brand Management Co. The company owns 51% of Sichuan Ziqi Culture Communication Co., created by Li to manage related businesses to the channel.
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The reasons for the lawsuit were not clarified by the parties, and the news of the dispute has raised the curiosity of Chinese internet users about what she is planning.
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Li gave an interview to the Chinese state channel CCTV in which she declared herself a “new socialist farmer” and listed her goals, including working for common prosperity, a term repeated several times by Xi Jinping.
Why it matters: Li’s YouTube success started spontaneously, and the young influencer soon became a symbol of Chinese soft power. It represents what the government seeks to promote the country abroad: content that exalts local traditions and culture and does not touch on controversial points.
How (or if) the Chinese government will capitalize on the figure of a more vocal Li Ziqi on key domestic policy issues remains a mystery.
what also matters
The Chinese government has announced that it will promote efforts to build a “civilized internet”. Officials say the aim is to ensure that the online environment is used to “spread party theories and promote socialist values.”
The plans were unveiled after the head of the powerful China Cyberspace Administration (CAC) published an article in the Study Times newspaper advocating that the Chinese CP take advantage of the internet to facilitate communication.
After the article, the CAC put for public consultation a set of new rules for social networks. Among the points listed are the use of real names in online registrations and the demand for companies to prevent censored account holders from registering again. Internet users can comment on the text until November 10th.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s comments about Taiwan caused outrage in China. He defended that the Chinese island has a greater participation in the UN.
“Taiwan’s exclusion undermines the important work of the UN and its related bodies (…). That is why we encourage all UN member states to join us in supporting Taiwan’s robust and meaningful participation throughout the world. UN system,” declared Bliken.
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As I explained in past issues, Taiwan is considered a rebel province by mainland China. It represents one of the few red lines that Beijing does not accept crossing.
The Chinese response came in a note from Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Xiaoguang, who accused the US of fomenting Taiwanese separatism. The island “is an inalienable part of Chinese territory”, and participation in international organizations “must be treated in accordance with the principle of the existence of one China only”.
Beijing this week announced the record of 20 active Covid infections, a record in more than eight months. Some neighborhoods are blocked, and entry into the city has been suspended for any passenger coming from regions with confirmed cases of the disease.
Local authorities reported that there was a “super spreader” virus event in the city. An elderly couple reportedly traveled to Xi’An, named as the source of the current outbreak, and returned to the capital with Covid symptoms such as fever and cough.
They bought a thermometer and expectorant medication, but did not report the symptoms to health authorities. That same week, the two invited friends to play mahjong. Processed, both can be arrested.
After the case, Beijing announced it will conduct a round of inspections to ensure that pharmacies register the names of buyers of antivirals, antibiotics and cough medicines.
keep an eye
After reaching the impressive mark of 2.25 billion vaccines against Covid applied (and 78% of the population fully immunized), China announced that it will authorize the application of booster doses in specific regions of the country. Officials at the Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommended that all citizens aged 60 and over be vaccinated with at least one more dose.
Why it matters: Beijing battles to find its own strategy for dealing with the virus. The local CDC itself recognized that booster doses are not a sustainable policy in the long term and that it has “better vaccines and better administration procedures to boost the immunity of the herd”.
to go deep
- The Brazilian Network for China Studies has started to publicize the list of speakers at the organization’s traditional annual meeting. In 2021, big names in sinology such as Barry Naughton, Guo Jie, Lin Jun Ren, Karin Vazquez and Eric Helleiner are already confirmed. The event takes place between November 8th and 11th and will be all virtual. (free, in Portuguese and English)
​ - The Observa China network also organizes events, which this Saturday (30) receives Diana Teoh. Director of She Loves Tech, China, Diana was manager of China Accelerator, Asia’s largest startup program, and will talk about sustainable investment. Registration, limited, is free. (free, in English)
​ - In a long report, Runner’s World magazine reports the challenges faced by ultramarathoners after a disaster on the Yellow River in China. The competition, which had a tough ride through the mountains, was hit by a strong storm that dropped temperatures and put competitors at risk. (free, in English)
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