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==History== ==History==
{{Unreferenced section|date=March 2009}} {{Unreferenced section|date=March 2009}}
The history of ] pæg olglgkxd kcvollpdf,led
The history of ] propaganda in China predates the establishment of the PRC, and it has since manifested itself in various forms, such as songs, paintings, posters, and films. ] has traditionally served as a major national conduit for televised propaganda, while the '']'' newspaper has served as a medium for print propaganda.

Propaganda produced by the ] of the ruling ] (CPC) has been disseminated through state-controlled print and electronic media, and the CPC has made prolific use of the ] as a means of distributing propaganda to both Chinese citizens and foreigners in the modern age.

] campaign. It reads, "The criticism of Lin and Kong (Confucius) is a matter of prime importance to the country and armed forces".]]

]s believe that propaganda in the PRC is being utilized by the CPC to nurture the development of ] and of loyalty to the PRC, the CPC, and the ] government in general. Many also believe that the PRC government, having embarked on a program of capitalist-style economic reform and modernization in the late 1970s, is keen to use propaganda to portray the CPC as a nationalistic and patriotic party, rather than simply as a party that builds ] or implements ] in China, since these have largely been abandoned in practice and thus can no longer serve as effective bases for loyalty to the regime. Common themes in the new nationalistic propaganda of the PRC include the lionizing of the CPC's ] and its individual soldiers for their exploits and sacrifices during the 1937-1945 ] and the allegedly seamless unity of the ].

In previous decades, PRC propaganda was crucial to the formation and promotion of the ] centered around Chairman ]. It also served as a useful tool for mobilizing popular participation in national campaigns such as the 1958 ] and the 1966-76 ]. Following the death of Mao in 1976, propaganda was used to blacken the character of the notorious ], which was seen as responsible for the excesses of the Cultural Revolution. Past propaganda also encouraged the Chinese people to emulate selfless model workers and soldiers such as the famous Comrade ], suicidal ] hero Dong Cunrui, self-sacrificing ] hero Yang Gensi, and Dr. ], a Canadian doctor who assisted the Communist ] during the Second Sino-Japanese War. It also praised ] revolutionaries and close foreign allies such as ] and ] while vilifying both the United States "]" and the Soviet "revisionists" (the latter of whom was seen as having betrayed Marxism-Leninism). One of the most famous propagandist who went sidetracked was ]. Her loyalty to the party as well as opposition to the ultra-left, singled her out to severe punishment. But her story provide a good example of how propaganda are delivered.

During the era of economic reform and modernization that was initiated by paramount leader ], propaganda promoting "socialism with Chinese characteristics" was distributed. The later reign of President ] saw the creation of propaganda demonizing ] as a ] and promoting his "]" theory. One of the most controversial event was the ] of 2001.

In later years the Internet has played a key role for the CCP to spread propaganda to the Chinese diaspora. PRC-based Internet sites are a leading source of Chinese language and China-related news for overseas Chinese. The Internet is an extremely effective tool for guiding and organizing overseas Chinese public opinion, according to Anne-Marie Brady. She cites an example of the role of the Internet in organizing popular protests by overseas Chinese in 2008 against the perceived bias of the Western media in its coverage of unrest in Tibetan areas in March 2008 and, a month later, in organizing a series of worldwide demonstrations in support of China during the Olympic torch relay.

"These protests and the later demonstrations were genuine and popular, which shows the effectiveness of China’s efforts to rebuild positive public opinion within the Chinese diaspora, but it should be noted that they received official support, both symbolic and practical."<ref name=bradycongress>Anne-Marie Brady, http://www.uscc.gov/hearings/2009hearings/written_testimonies/09_04_30_wrts/09_04_30_brady_statement.php China’s Propaganda and Perception Management Efforts, Its Intelligence Activities that Target the United States, and the Resulting Impacts on U.S. National Security], U.S.-China Economic & Security Review Commission, April 30, 2009</ref>There was no compulsion for overseas Chinese not to attend the rallies, but those who did were given free t-shirts, souvenirs, transport, and in some cases accommodation, all courtesy of local embassy officials and China-based donors. These demonstrations successfully drowned out the protests of human rights groups.

==Chinese connotations of the term==
{{Section OR|date=March 2008}}

While in the Western world the word '']'' bears negative connotations, the Chinese word "xuanchuan" (]: 宣传), which is liberally translated as ''propaganda'', actually means ''to broadcast'' or ''to spread (information)'', with no negative connotations that would imply bias or untruthfulness. This explains why many ] speakers would consider the use of such a term as an outright acknowledgment of the biased nature of Chinese propaganda, although the term can in fact be used in politically neutral contexts. This is congruent with the ] in Western Europe, which also does not connotate deception. For example, Chinese "propaganda" has also served to raise public awareness about the law, the need for common courtesy, the importance of embracing science and technology, the need to take preventive measures against ] and ].

For example:
<blockquote>宣传安全知识</blockquote>
(]: xuānchuán ānquán zhīshi) would, in accordance with the literal dictionary definition of "宣传", be translated as ''propagating public safety awareness''. There are absolutely no political connotations surrounding the use of this word, as might be present in
<blockquote>宣传毛泽东思想</blockquote>
(]: xuānchuán Máo Zédōng sīxiǎng) or ''propagating ]''.
This can be likened to the use of '']'' specifically as political propaganda, and the Spanish word ''propaganda'', which simply means advertising.

== Ideological background ==
<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: ]. The message reads, "The Chinese ] is the great school of ]."]] -->
<!-- Deleted image removed: ] Nanjing Presidential Palace; incorporates elements of ] and ]]] -->
In the realm of the arts, the theory of ] that was adopted by the ] and the PRC of ] explicitly states as its goal the education of the people in the objectives and the meaning of the ideology of ]. One of the official goals of the 1966-76 ] in the PRC was "to transform literature and art."

The CPC ] (]: Zhonggong Zhongyang Xuanchuan Bu, ]: 中共中央宣传部), together with the state censorship organizations, which include the General Administration of Press and Publication (]: Xinwen Chuban Zongshu, ]: 新闻出版总署), the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (]: Guangbo Dianying Dianshi Zongju, ]: 广播电影电视总局), and the State Council Information Office (]: Guowuyuan Xinxi Bangongshi, ]: 国务院信息办公室), oversee all printing for consistency with official political doctrines under detailed regulations, such as the "Regulations Regarding Strengthening the Administration of Publications Describing Major Party and National Leaders" (1990), which states in part:
<blockquote>
The publication and distribution of these types of books and essays must be solemn and discreet. The description of historical facts must be accurate, and the point of view must conform with the spirit of the Party's "Decision Regarding Certain Historical Problems," "Decision Regarding Certain Historical Problems Since the Establishment of the Party" and related Party documents. All responsible agencies and publishing units must strictly guard against violations, and anything that does not conform to the above mentioned requirements may not be published and distributed.
</blockquote> </blockquote>


Revision as of 08:52, 7 December 2009

Propaganda in the People's Republic of China refers to the PRC's use of distributing information to the general public.

History

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The history of communist pæg olglgkxd kcvollpdf,led

Taiwan terminology

Both the PRC and the Republic of China government, now located on Taiwan, formally claim to be the sole legitimate government of all China, but neither, in formal contexts, accept the other as a legitimate government or that either Taiwan or mainland China is a sovereign country separate from the other. As such, both have adopted a set of political terminology to refer to the other side, its government, and civil and military offices and officials.

Within the PRC, this policy is strongly adhered to by the government and government-controlled media. For example, as a result of the fact that both the ROC and the PRC adhered to the One-China policy, the PRC is commonly referred to in both Taiwan and the PRC as dalu (simplified Chinese: 大陆; traditional Chinese: 大陸; pinyin: dàlù) meaning "mainland", or the continent; sometimes, as in Hong Kong, it is also referred to as neidi (Chinese: 內地; pinyin: nèidì) meaning "interior territory". In both cases, the terms are used to avoid describing the PRC as "China" and the ROC as "Taiwan", as is commonly done in English. When Taiwan joins international organizations, China forces Taiwan to participate under names other than "Republic of China" or "Taiwan", such as Chinese Taipei or " Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Kinmen and Matsu", in order to avoid describing Taiwan as a country.

See also: Political status of Taiwan

PRC propaganda films

Famous propaganda songs

Propaganda songs and music have a long and storied history in the PRC and also in Nepal and Pakistan, and they figured prominently in the popular culture of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Many of these songs were collected and performed as modern rock adaptations for several albums that were released during the 1990s, including "Red Rock" and "Red Sun: Mao Zedong Praise Songs New Revolutionary Medley". The latter sold 6-10 million copies in China (see the external link on "Rethinking Cultural Revolution Culture"). Most of the older songs praise Mao, the CPC, the 1949 revolution, the Chinese Red Army and the People's Liberation Army, the unity of the ethnic groups of China, and the various ethnic groups' devotion to Mao and the CPC.

The titles of some of the more well-known propaganda songs are as follows:

Most of the songs listed above are no longer used as propaganda by the CPC, but are exhibited in mainland China as a means of reviving popular nostalgia for the "old times" and sentiments of nationalism/patriotism.

See also

References

  • Min, Anchee, Duo, Duo, Landsberger, Stefan R., Chinese Propaganda Posters, 245 x 370 mm, 320 pp., ISBN 3-8228-2619-7 (softcover)
  • Wolf, Michael Chinese Propaganda Posters: From the Collection of Michael Wolf, 2003, ISBN 3-8228-2619-7
  • Harriet Evans, Stephanie Donald (eds.), Picturing Power in the People's Republic of China, ISBN 0-8476-9511-5
  • Stefan Landsberger, Chinese Propaganda Posters: From Revolution to Reform, ISBN 90-5496-009-4
  • Hunter, Edward. Brain-washing in Red China: the calculated destruction of men's minds. New York, N.Y., USA.: Vanguard Press, 1951, 1953,
  • Lincoln Cushing and Ann Tompkins, Chinese Posters: Art from the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, San Francisco, CA : Chronicle Books, 2007, ISBN 978-0-8118-5946-2

External links

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