China: after the communist leaders, the stars also rally to Xi Jinping
Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi hastened to pledge allegiance to President Xi Jinping, who has just been crowned with a new term as head of China Reuters
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
In China, it is not just regime officials who must show their loyalty to the Chinese president, who has just been reappointed for an unprecedented third term.
Since then, artists have followed one another to swear allegiance to the Head of State.
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With our correspondent in Beijing,
Stéphane Lagarde
We knew her lively and agile in
Tiger and Dragon
or
The Secret of the Flying Daggers
, Zhang Zhiyi wasted no time.
The 43-year-old movie star was one of the first to hail
President Xi Jinping's third term
.
The day after the appointment of the new standing committee of the CCP's political bureau, the actress of
Memoir of a Geisha
recites, pink suit and smile on her lips, the new cultural gospel according to Xi on Chinese central television.
"As a cultural and artistic worker, I have faithfully studied and understood President Xi's requirements. In my future jobs, I will follow President Xi's instructions and China's cultural attitude, I will sing the passion of this era and I will tell the story of China better."
Always those enablers/survivors—Zhang Ziyi #章子怡: 1st Chinese celeb to declare deference to Xi's policies post-20th Party Congress #二十大.
“I will follow [Xi's] instructions…and project a positive Chinese voice.”
向世界进好中国故事转播好中国声音。🙈pic.twitter.com/fRRw2EF6rA
— Wes Andrews (@Wes_Andrews) October 26, 2022
At the opening ceremony of the 20th CPC Congress, Xi Jinping's speech had Maoist overtones.
"
We must put the people at the center of creation
," said the Chinese number one.
A chorus from popular culture that millionaire artists such as kung-fu superstars Jackie Chan, Zhen Zidan (better known as Donnie Yen), or even l singer actor, Tong Dawei.
He learned the lesson well.
“As workers in the art industry, we must closely follow the plan laid out by the CCP Central Committee. In order to offer films and series that reflect the spirit of the times and reflect of humanity"
Another Chinese movie star, Tong Dawei 佟大为, on camera praising Xi and the party, expressing loyalty.
They didn't volunteer it but were selected for the “role,” starting from the most recognizable Zhang Ziyi.
Going fwd, loyalty performance from celebrities will become routine.
pic.twitter.com/tVjcV78iRN
— Yaxue Cao (@YaxueCao) October 26, 2022
Artists lined up behind the "
revolutionary culture in conformity with the values of socialism
" and the "
promotion of a high quality traditional culture
" dear to the Head of State, when others, many in the cinema and music, have been erased by
Xi Jinping-era
censorship and propaganda .
►
Read also: Before the CCP Congress, the film "Return to Dust" disappears from the poster in China
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China: 20th CPC Congress