Chinese state media chief vows to toe the line for Communist Party’s national congress
- Fu Hua says ‘primary political task’ is to propagate Xi Jinping’s political thoughts and party control of the internet
- News agency focused on guiding domestic public opinion while battling narrative war with the West
The head of Xinhua has pledged not to stray from instructions by President Xi Jinping for “one minute”, saying the state news agency will create a “favourable information environment” ahead of the 20th national Communist Party congress in mid-October.
Xinhua editor-in-chief Fu Hua said on Friday the party mouthpiece would publicise the progress of Xi’s governance of the country, and tell the stories of China, of socialism with Chinese characteristics and of the party, to create a stable and healthy economic environment, a peaceful and prosperous social environment, and a clean political environment.
“[Xinhua will] never stand outside the party line for one minute, never deviate from the direction pointed by General Secretary Xi Jinping for one minute, and never disappear from the sight of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the central party committee for one minute,” he wrote in an article published in China Cyberspace, the flagship publication of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC).
During the twice-a-decade congress beginning on October 16, Xi is expected to secure a third term as the party’s leader, the first to do so since the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. A new leadership team will also be unveiled.
During the event, Chinese authorities around the country are expected to be on high alert for any incidents or public opinions that could have even the slightest impact on social and political stability.
Also on Friday, the CAC launch a three-month “clear-up” campaign to quickly crack down on rumours and misinformation related to key political events and important policy announcements. The cyberspace watchdog said it would improve communications and speed up official responses regarding the pandemic, the economy, public security and emergencies.
Fu said that since the 18th national congress in 2012, Xi had introduced a series of groundbreaking ideas and made major policy decisions about cyberspace supporting “the building of a cyber power”.
Under Xi, the party has further tightened its control of Chinese media, the internet and ideology through a wide range of measures that have included intensifying and extending censorship.
