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Uncontrolled Covid epidemic on the eve of the holidays, real estate crisis in crisis, negative demographics, economic growth at half-mast, explosive social climate… The Lunar New Year opens a difficult period for the Asian giant.
Imagine that a few days before the New Year, your phone shows a red screen with a photo of your president and an “answer call” button. You click on it and surprise, it’s not the leader of the second world power calling you, but a recorded clip of Xi Jinping delivering a paternalistic speech in front of a bucolic fresco, with counter-shots of citizens applauding sagely. Then look for the “Hang up” button. Vain.
This mishap has happened to millions of Chinese officials in recent days, sparking a wave of ridicule on social media that was quickly censored. As China enters the lunar year of the Water Rabbit this Sunday according to traditional astrology, the Chinese Communist Party will need more than communication tricks to deal with a dangerous social, health and economic situation.
High risk vacation
In his year-end speech on Thursday, Xi Jinping not only praised “the magnificent prospects of building a modern socialist country in every respect and fully promoting the great rejuvenation of the nation through modernization. Chinese”. He also called for further efforts to fight the pandemic, especially in rural areas. After the country’s restriction for three years under