Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CHENGDU148
2007-06-08 09:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Chengdu
Cable title:  

SICHUAN RESEARCHER CLAIMS "GREAT IMPROVEMENT" IN CHINA'S

Tags:  PGOV SCUL PHUM KPAO CH 
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VZCZCXRO9515
RR RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHCN #0148/01 1590935
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 080935Z JUN 07
FM AMCONSUL CHENGDU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2532
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 3061
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 CHENGDU 000148 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/CM AND DRL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/8/2017
TAGS: PGOV SCUL PHUM KPAO CH
SUBJECT: SICHUAN RESEARCHER CLAIMS "GREAT IMPROVEMENT" IN CHINA'S
MEDIA ENVIRONMENT

REF: BEIJING 3831

CHENGDU 00000148 001.2 OF 003


CLASSIFIED BY: James Boughner, Consul General, United States
Consulate, Chengdu.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)



C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 CHENGDU 000148

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/CM AND DRL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/8/2017
TAGS: PGOV SCUL PHUM KPAO CH
SUBJECT: SICHUAN RESEARCHER CLAIMS "GREAT IMPROVEMENT" IN CHINA'S
MEDIA ENVIRONMENT

REF: BEIJING 3831

CHENGDU 00000148 001.2 OF 003


CLASSIFIED BY: James Boughner, Consul General, United States
Consulate, Chengdu.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)




1. (C) Summary: Ruan Zhixiao (strictly protect),a researcher
in the Media Research Institution of the Sichuan Academy of
Social Sciences (SASS) said there has been "great improvement"
in China's media environment, including the coverage of
sensitive topics, but that there are still limits. He commented
that the government still does not consider the Internet
"traditional media," and that he has been able to maintain an
uncensored personal website with a community forum on politics
and society. According to Ruan, newspaper editors have the
first responsibility for content, and government representatives
have secondary responsibility, with an extra review by Foreign
Affairs officials for any article related to bilateral or
multilateral relations. Reporting of "false news" is not a new
phenomenon, but in contrast to the past when it was reported to
serve government interests, it is now reported because of market
competition. Soon after the Sixth Plenum, President Hu Jintao
spoke to media executives to remind them of their role in a
Harmonious Society, including not magnifying the importance of
small events. In Sichuan, as in other parts of our Consular
district, government controls on print media and the Internet
appear to be changing on an almost daily basis. End Summary.

"Great Improvement" in Chinese Media Environment
-------------- --------------


2. (C) Ruan stated that since "reform and opening," there has
been "great improvement" in China's media environment --
including with sensitive topics -- but with limits. This
limited nature comes from the structure, in that the media is
part of the government. Ruan explained that Party media theory
sets out the unwritten rule that national media can criticize
local government, but not the national government. Local media
is limited by provincial leaders -- it can criticize levels

below, but not provincial cadres.


3. (C) One Washington visitor asked if Ruan agreed with some
Chinese journalists in Shanghai who said the period from
2000-2004 was generally a time of greater freedom for the press,
and 2004-2007, a period of greater restriction. Ruan agreed
that since 2004, there have been more controls over the Internet
in particular, and that the government has enacted several laws
and regulations in that area. He continued, however, that this
is not truly a control over debate, but only an imposition of
regulations. There are some topics that have exceeded the
government's ability to control. For example, after the News
Media and Publication Ministry banned eight books last year,
many people protested on the Internet. This shows there is much
greater freedom than before, Ruan opined.

Internet Not Considered "Traditional Media"
--------------


4. (C) Continuing on the subject of the Internet, Ruan
commented that the government still does not consider the
Internet "traditional media," and for that reason, there are
fewer limitations, seemingly contradicting his earlier statement
that greater controls have been imposed since 2004. He said he
maintains a personal website (Chuanboxue.net) containing a
community forum with discussions on politics and society. It
has not been censored, and there are "free debates." In some
posts, some individuals argue for democratic socialism, and some
against it. The boundary around such debates has been greatly
expanded by the Internet. In his forum, there are "multiple
critiques and a lot of freedom," Ruan said. It is still
possible to read critiques of current and past leaders on the
Internet.


5. (C) Note and Comment: Following the government's May 29
announcement of an increase in the tax on stock trades, Internet
stock chat rooms (gu ba) were full of angry comments criticizing
the decision, including a posting stating that "hoodlum
government officials and foreign investors will benefit most"
from imposition of this tax. Neither the tax itself nor the
amount were apparently in issue, but rather the fact that
authorities were perceived to have "lied once again" after
explicitly promising not to raise the tax a few weeks ago. The
blogs and chat rooms were full of sarcasm and complaints from
approximately May 30 through June 5, when all comments were
blocked and/or erased. Local contacts commented that it was
depressing to see the government purge discussion on even these
"economic" sites, and that life in Chengdu was becoming
"progressively more and more boring" in a "stifling information

CHENGDU 00000148 002.2 OF 003


environment." End Note and Comment.

Media Represents PRC Government Views
--------------


6. (C) One Washington visitor raised the case of a recent
People's Daily (Renmin Ribao) article criticizing United States
policy in Iraq, and said many people in the U.S. Government
assumed it represented the PRC Government's views because it
appeared in the Party-controlled press. Ruan responded that
editors have the first responsibility for content, and
government representatives have secondary responsibility. He
added that for any article that affects bilateral or
multilateral relations, Foreign Affairs officials will also
review the article. (Note: In a recent media censorship case
in Chengdu, three newspaper officials were fired after the
Chengdu Evening News inadvertently ran an ad dedicated to the
"adamant mothers of the June 4 victims." (Reftel) End Note).


7. (C) The visitors asked if subscriptions to newspapers have
declined as more and more people get their news from the
Internet. Ruan replied that the newspaper industry in China is
still rising because people's thirst for information is
ever-increasing, as is the scope of news coverage. However, he
asserted the print media has changed from being the Party's
mouthpiece to being a market-controlled newspaper. Huaxi ("West
China") is the best example of this. The reform of the media
began with the newspaper. Now there are "citizens' newspapers,"
which pay more attention to the needs of the common people.
Television is also devoting more coverage to people's livelihood
issues.

"False News" in the Media
--------------


8. (C) Turning to the subject of "false news" accompanying the
"marketization" of the media, Ruan said he has been covering
this since the 1980s. He noted that false reporting is not a
new phenomenon -- it occurred even during Mao Zedong's time.
There is more false information reported now because of market
competition. In the past, false news served the interests of
the government. Now, it serves the interests of the media
themselves. For example, prior to China's May Labor Day
Holiday, many stories were written to "promote" the May Day
atmosphere -- stories covering the activities of workers,
cadres, and farmers. Ruan cited a specific example of a
journalist with a tight deadline who decided it was easier to
make up a story then to actually go out and interview people.
His editor knew he had not interviewed people, but ran the story
anyway, hoping to gain attention, promotion and higher wages.


9. (C) Theoretically, in a diverse society, the media will also
be diverse, Ruan continued. There are two aspects to the
media's role: a propaganda mission and a market mission. Hu
Jintao has warned that government officials should not only
serve the rich. Ruan pointed out that in spite of this
admonition, mainstream media continue to target the interests of
the high-income groups, or those making more than RMB 3,000 (USD
3,600) a month. Ruan added it was also unfortunate that in some
rural areas, media speaks only for government leaders and
ignores issues and interests of the vast majority of common
citizens.

Role of Media in Harmonious Society
--------------


10. (C) Chinese press reported that Hu Jintao spoke to media
executives just after the Sixth Plenum, reminding them of their
role in building a Harmonious Society. Ruan attributed this
reminder in part to the case of Yang Lijuan, where the media
stirred up controversy over a relatively insignificant issue.
Media attention to the issue became "unhealthy" and led to
"wasted" discussion of an issue that should not have grabbed
headlines. (Note: Yang Lijuan is a 29-year-old "professional
fan" of pop star Liu Dehua. She dreamed of meeting Liu for 13
years. Her father and family tried to support her efforts to
meet the star by selling their home and other belongings. After
a March 2007 "fan party" in Hong Kong during which Liu did not
receive the much sought-after attention from Liu, her father
committed suicide. The press and Internet created a nationwide
stir about the case which in turn spawned discussion, debate and
commentary. End Note). Ruan agreed with the admonition to the
media to be careful not to magnify the significance of the small
events, but rather to promote harmonious aspects of society and
a "peaceful environment." As an aside, Ruan noted there is a
new news segment on the evening news called "Ping-an Chengdu"
(Peaceful Chengdu),but ironically, coverage in the segment is
not very peaceful and includes murders, accidents, and disputes.


CHENGDU 00000148 003.2 OF 003


Comment
--------------

11. In Sichuan, as in other parts of our Consular district,
government controls on print media and the Internet appear to be
changing on an almost daily basis. On June 8, the Chengdu
Government announced a new campaign to inspect and license
Internet cafes. Post will continue to monitor the local media
in order to try to identify trends in censorship and enforcement
of new regulations.
BOUGHNER