The Daily – The Sunday Read: ‘The Art of Telling Forbidden Stories in China’

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily,” we explore the challenges faced by writers in China who dare to tell forbidden stories. The Chinese Communist Party has tightened its grip on the narrative and the internet, making it increasingly difficult for writers to express their views and have open conversations with journalists. We delve into the experiences of Hao Chiang, a successful writer whose career was cut short after defending a detained friend, and Hao Chun, a best-selling novelist who now lives in exile in Australia after documenting the Wuhan COVID lockdown. Join us as we uncover the struggles and risks faced by these writers in their pursuit of free expression.

Main Takeaways

Challenges Faced by Chinese Writers

• Hao Chiang’s successful writing career in China was cut short after he spoke up in defense of a friend who was detained by the Chinese authorities.
• The Chinese Communist Party has mobilized to control how China is talked about, and the internet has become a place to exert power.
• Chinese writers wish to be expressive and create, but it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to talk to journalists and express their views.
• Writers in China face the risk of having their current and previously published books banned if they write something that goes against the government’s policies.

Hao Chun’s Exile and the Wuhan COVID Lockdown

• Hao Chun, a best-selling Chinese novelist, is now living in exile in Australia after finishing a nonfiction collection called Deadly Quiet City, detailing what he saw during the Wuhan COVID lockdown.
• Other public intellectuals had tried to travel abroad only to discover that they were under exit bans, and the Chinese government had kept tabs on Hao Chun for years.
• Deadly Quiet City captures how state-enforced silence and inadequate access to medical care intensified ordinary people’s despair during the crisis.
• Hao Chun conducted conversations at odd locations in Wuhan, trying to shake off the eerie suspicion that he was being watched. He made phone calls under a blanket to ensure privacy and feared for citizen journalists who had disappeared after posting reports from the city.

The Rise of Internet Age Writers

• Chinese literature underwent a sea change in the 2000s with the rise of the internet and literary forums.
• Free from the scrutiny of editors and censors, writers had a more direct relationship with their readers, who relished their refreshingly unabashed accounts of their historical moment.
• House generation writers pushed boundaries of Chinese literary culture with taboo subjects like corruption, sexual desire, and evolving gender roles.
• Writers of the internet age explored subjects and feelings that didn’t align with the state’s values.

The Challenges of Writing Under Censorship

• Xi’s government has shown less tolerance for the kind of writing that Deng’s reforms fostered and has been keen on creating a centralized discourse that nurtures national pride through an emphasis on telling China’s story well.
• Chinese internet freedom has dropped by 40% since 2011, making it the most repressive country in the world for internet control measures.
• Writers must be flexible and move fluidly among genres to continue making meaningful work in an environment of intense censorship and fractured cultural infrastructure.
• Affordable technology has allowed working-class people without degrees to pursue literature, resulting in a more bottom-up writing community.

The Power of Literature and New Possibilities

• Fan Yu Su became a literary star almost overnight after her autobiographical essay, “I am Fan Yusu,” went viral on WeChat.
• Social media platforms like Quai Shou have allowed factory workers, masseuses, and truck drivers to compose poems and pursue literature.
• Journalism institutions in China have collapsed, leading to a dearth of connection and counterproductive topics.
• Literature is a way to help people remember things and create a new possibility of public writing.

Summary

Challenges Faced by Chinese Writers

In China, writers face numerous challenges in their pursuit of free expression. Hao Chiang’s career was abruptly halted after defending a detained friend, highlighting the risks associated with speaking out against the Chinese authorities. The Chinese Communist Party has tightened its control over the narrative and the internet, making it increasingly difficult for writers to express their views and communicate with journalists. The fear of having their books banned further restricts their ability to write freely.

Hao Chun’s Exile and the Wuhan COVID Lockdown

Hao Chun, a best-selling Chinese novelist, now lives in exile in Australia after documenting the Wuhan COVID lockdown in his nonfiction collection, Deadly Quiet City. His experiences shed light on the state-enforced silence and lack of adequate medical care that intensified despair during the crisis. Hao Chun’s constant surveillance and the disappearance of citizen journalists highlight the risks faced by those who dare to report on the truth.

The Rise of Internet Age Writers

The emergence of internet age writers in China brought about a significant shift in the literary landscape. Writers had the freedom to explore taboo subjects, such as corruption, sexual desire, and evolving gender roles, without the scrutiny of editors and censors. This newfound direct relationship with readers allowed for refreshingly unabashed accounts of the historical moment, challenging the state’s values and narratives.

The Challenges of Writing Under Censorship

Under President Xi’s government, writing that diverges from the state’s approved discourse faces increasing repression. Chinese internet freedom has significantly declined, making it the most repressive country for internet control measures. Writers must navigate intense censorship and adapt to fractured cultural infrastructure by moving fluidly among genres. Despite these challenges, affordable technology has enabled a more inclusive writing community, with working-class individuals pursuing literature.

The Power of Literature and New Possibilities

Literature continues to hold power in China, even amidst censorship and the collapse of journalism institutions. Fan Yu Su’s viral essay on WeChat and the emergence of social media platforms like Quai Shou have provided platforms for individuals from different professions to express themselves and pursue literature. These outlets offer new possibilities for public writing and help people remember important stories that may otherwise be forgotten.

Conclusion

The struggles faced by writers in China to tell forbidden stories highlight the challenges of free expression in an increasingly controlled environment. Despite the risks and censorship, writers continue to find ways to create and connect with readers, whether through exile, the internet, or the power of literature. Their stories serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving the freedom to express oneself and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.