China checks culture: Hu Jintao warns against Westernization

Dalforce 1941 SG

China checks culture: President Hu Jintao warns against Westernization

VarietyTribune Media Services

January 3, 2012

China's President Hu Jintao is urging the country to resist what he calls hostile forces in the West that are using culture -- apparatchik-speak for Hollywood movies, among other things -- to sow division.

He called on authorities to expand China's cultural influence in a speech to Communist Party leaders in October, made public in the Party magazine Qiushi (Seeking Truth) this week.

"We must clearly see that international hostile forces are intensifying the strategic plot of Westernizing and dividing China, and ideological and cultural fields are the focal areas of their longterm infiltration," Hu told the annual policy meeting of the Party's Central Committee, effectively the 365 most powerful people in China.

Clearly the most hostile international force is the U.S., or more specifically Hollywood, and Hu's comments are in line with the Party's recent decision to boost the local culture industries, such as movies, books and art, while reinforcing socialist principles.

The article in Seeking Truth, founded in 1958 by Mao Tse-tung, is most likely a sign that Hu is hammering home the policy of boosting China's cultural influence at the start of a new year.

The Communist Party often characterizes efforts to push socialist values as an ideological struggle with the West, especially the U.S.

The Party is trying to shore up support for its socialist principles at a time when there are mounting calls for greater representation from China's growing middle class plus rising anger at corruption and land grabs by property developers.

The most popular films in China in recent years have been overwhelmingly Hollywood blockbusters, including "Avatar" plus the "Harry Potter" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchises, although there have been some local exceptions.

The Party has tried its hand at its own blockbusters: 2009's "The Founding of a Republic" marking 60 years of Communist rule, was popular but last year's "Beginning of the Great Revival" was not a success.

The Party keeps a tight grip on cultural output through censorship, and building up a cultural bulwark against calls for reform is crucial.

Recently it rolled back freedoms for reality TV skeins, gameshows and talent programs on satellite TV.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/sns-201201031658reedbusivarietynvr1118048064jan03,0,2707471.story

troublemaker2005 SG

say this do that/ if really against westernization then shut the doors again from all western investments.

bullcrap. they can't do that. as much as they think ceena is powerdeful now, they do htis and its their end of days again. i dare they to.

if they do that we can all go back to the past, no more compaetition from their cheapo labor anymore

Fcukpap SG

notwithstanding the decadence of western values aside to those positive ones, a country's intellectual growth should not be stunted by censorship, they should instead allow more open debates on what is in the best interests of the country....open communication and transparency would be the main determinants for long term politicial sustainability ...

Fcukpap SG

i have been a long and ardent admirer of my own chinese and cultural heritage....and always pride it way above western values that serve only as tools of thoughts but nothing beautiful to fathom further...

dragg SG

say this do that/ if really against westernization then shut the doors again from all western investments.

bullcrap. they can't do that. as much as they think ceena is powerdeful now, they do htis and its their end of days again. i dare they to.

if they do that we can all go back to the past, no more compaetition from their cheapo labor anymore

do you not see how westernisation is eating into the cultures of asians?

singapore is the best example.

Fcukpap SG

we, asians, can think and should not stop to think and speak...

dragg SG

religion and democracy are the two tools they used to attack asian cultures.

Dalforce 1941 SG

We must open the minority over majority question.

Now President is Tony Tan, PM is Lee Hsien Loong. Good time to open the question.

Lee Kuan Yew wants to close the question. I want to open the question.

Summer hill SG

too much censorship in china, with how to suceed?

comunist vs democracy...who will win?

Fcukpap SG

ideologies will never work in a complex and uncertain world...and whatever mode it follows, it has to have pragmatic outcome, else, it simply cannot work....

Hitman Factory 1 SG

hu hates hollywood?????maybe he is sour grapes.....

Hitman Factory 1 SG

next he would be looking at the porn films!

Hitman Factory 1 SG

maybe 2012 movie made china look like a bunch of $$$$$ grabbing folks.hollywood should seek permisiion in that case or risk getting sued.

troublemaker2005 SG

do you not see how westernisation is eating into the cultures of asians?

singapore is the best example.

those younger generations mayb. but also very strong ceena 'culture' everywhere in sillypore. the whole cockty is so fucked up within the recent years

Summer hill SG

those younger generations mayb. but also very strong ceena 'culture' everywhere in sillypore. the whole cockty is so fucked up within the recent years

don't you worry, we still have hollywood movies like inception

troublemaker2005 SG

HJT should walk the talk and close ceena doors again from the world.

Summer hill SG

china should suddenly turn into a communist state like north korea.

we are enjoying 3D animation now, nk enjoys lousy 2D.

big smile SG

The fact that China's attempt at countering Hollywood is titled "The Founding of a Republic" show that they're still way behind Hollywood..

Summer hill SG

The fact that China's attempt at countering Hollywood is titled "The Founding of a Republic" show that they're still way behind Hollywood..

they are making a movie on china and how its founded???

Isn't that the same as last time japan had a movie on how they are winning everywhere in WW2???