Unamused Chinese censors have been at work to stop people
sniggering over the new Beijing headquarters of the People's Daily
newspaper, which bear an unfortunate resemblance to a giant
penis.
Photos of the imposing tower, which is still under construction,
had Internet users tittering away, especially given one of
Beijing's other landmarks -- the China Central Television (CCTV)
headquarters, nicknamed "The Big Underpants".
Some comments about the new home for the Communist Party paper
managed to sneak through. "Of course the national mouthpiece should
be imposing," said one user of Sina Weibo, China's equivalent of
Twitter.
"It seems the People's Daily is going to rise up, there's hope for
the Chinese dream," said another, referring to a political slogan
that has been used in recent months to encourage national pride and
rejuvenation.
But a search on Sina Weibo for "People's Daily" and "building"
resulted in the message usually shown when keywords have been
blocked: "In accordance with relevant laws, regulations and
policies, search results cannot be displayed."
The People's Daily is the official mouthpiece of the Chinese ruling
party, whose vast propaganda and censorship machine tightly
controls print, online and any other form of media.
