[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Seoyoung] Amid the intensification of the Chinese government's so-called "Red Rectification Campaign," a speech video by a 20-year-old university student is gaining explosive popularity among Chinese netizens.
On the 14th, local Chinese media reported that at the "Chuanmei University 2021 Opening Ceremony" held on the 12th, university student Feng Lin (22) took the stage as the representative of enrolled students and delivered a congratulatory speech. Feng Lin, born in October 1999, is currently a third-year student majoring in Announcer and Anchor at Chuanmei University, a media-specialized university that trains journalists for Chinese state-run media.
During the opening ceremony speech, Feng Lin emphasized, "I am the announcer of the Chinese people and the announcer of the Chinese Communist Party," adding, "I will convey the voice of the Chinese people marching toward victory by overcoming difficulties and obstacles, and the voice of fair and just truth." This statement quotes a famous remark by Chi Wei, the host of the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949.
Feng Lin also said in her speech, "I felt infinite honor to listen to and learn from President Xi Jinping's speech up close at Tiananmen Square." This appears to refer to her experience as a female university student representative attending the "Oath of Tiananmen" event held on July 1 at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party. At that time, Feng Lin was selected after a highly competitive process with nearly a 1000-to-1 ratio and led a tribute that included phrases such as "Rest assured, Party, for I am here for the strong nation."
Feng Lin's opening ceremony congratulatory speech video surpassed 130 million views on Weibo within two days, attracting significant attention from Chinese netizens. She continues to gain popularity among netizens by regularly posting photos related to Communist Party programs and personal pictures on her Weibo account.
Some observers point out that the popularity of videos pledging loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party or Xi Jinping online is a phenomenon influenced by the recent "Rectification Campaign" sweeping across Chinese society. The Rectification Campaign, initiated by Mao Zedong in 1940, is a party member activity renewal movement aimed at internal party discipline and power consolidation.
Currently, the Chinese government is cracking down on various media outlets and entertainment industry activities under the banner of the Red Rectification Campaign. Following incidents such as former EXO member Kris (Wu Yifan)'s underage sexual assault and actor Zheng Shuang's tax evasion scandal, the Chinese government announced strong regulations to correct celebrities' misconduct.
The Chinese government declared that entertainers involved in false or exaggerated advertising will have their earnings confiscated, be fined twice the amount of their income, or be banned from advertising activities for three years. Additionally, China's broadcasting regulatory authority, the National Radio and Television Administration, decided to prohibit activities of so-called "effeminate male idols" and "vulgar influencers" on variety shows. They instructed broadcasting industry workers to "strengthen the cultivation of political qualities, deepen education on Marxist journalism perspectives, and uphold the people's stance and sentiments."
Meanwhile, the Rectification Campaign has also imposed restrictions on the activities of K-pop idols, who have many fans in China, causing resentment among domestic netizens. On the 5th, the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission of the Chinese Communist Party explained measures to "strengthen management of disorderly fandoms," including limiting duplicate purchases of music and albums and banning fan consumption inducements such as voting. Furthermore, minors are prohibited from spending money to support entertainers.
Due to these regulations, Weibo accounts of Chinese fan clubs for several K-pop singers such as Girls' Generation's Taeyeon, BLACKPINK's Lisa, BTS's Jimin, and IU were suspended for fundraising activities. Also, with restrictions on album purchases, there are forecasts that the export of Korean singers' albums to China may face some setbacks.
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