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FM AMCONSUL CHENGDU
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RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 3061

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 CHENGDU 000148 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/CM AND DRL 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL:  6/8/2017 
TAGS: PGOV SCUL PHUM KPAO CH
SUBJECT: SICHUAN RESEARCHER CLAIMS "GREAT IMPROVEMENT" IN CHINA'S 
MEDIA ENVIRONMENT 
 
REF: BEIJING 3831 
 
CHENGDU 00000148  001.2 OF 003 
 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: James Boughner,  Consul General, United States 
Consulate, Chengdu. 
REASON: 1.4 (b), (d) 
 
 
 
¶1.  (C) Summary:  Ruan Zhixiao (strictly protect), a researcher 
in the Media Research Institution of the Sichuan Academy of 
Social Sciences (SASS) said there has been "great improvement" 
in China's media environment, including the coverage of 
sensitive topics, but that there are still limits.  He commented 
that the government still does not consider the Internet 
"traditional media," and that he has been able to maintain an 
uncensored personal website with a community forum on politics 
and society.  According to Ruan, newspaper editors have the 
first responsibility for content, and government representatives 
have secondary responsibility, with an extra review by Foreign 
Affairs officials for any article related to bilateral or 
multilateral relations.  Reporting of "false news" is not a new 
phenomenon, but in contrast to the past when it was reported to 
serve government interests, it is now reported because of market 
competition.  Soon after the Sixth Plenum, President Hu Jintao 
spoke to media executives to remind them of their role in a 
Harmonious Society, including not magnifying the importance of 
small events. In Sichuan, as in other parts of our Consular 
district, government controls on print media and the Internet 
appear to be changing on an almost daily basis.  End Summary. 
 
"Great Improvement" in Chinese Media Environment 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶2.  (C) Ruan stated that since "reform and opening," there has 
been "great improvement" in China's media environment -- 
including with sensitive topics -- but with limits.  This 
limited nature comes from the structure, in that the media is 
part of the government.  Ruan explained that Party media theory 
sets out the unwritten rule that national media can criticize 
local government, but not the national government.  Local media 
is limited by provincial leaders -- it can criticize levels 
below, but not provincial cadres. 
 
¶3.  (C) One Washington visitor asked if Ruan agreed with some 
Chinese journalists in Shanghai who said the period from 
2000-2004 was generally a time of greater freedom for the press, 
and 2004-2007, a period of greater restriction.  Ruan agreed 
that since 2004, there have been more controls over the Internet 
in particular, and that the government has enacted several laws 
and regulations in that area.  He continued, however, that this 
is not truly a control over debate, but only an imposition of 
regulations.  There are some topics that have exceeded the 
government's ability to control.  For example, after the News 
Media and Publication Ministry banned eight books last year, 
many people protested on the Internet.  This shows there is much 
greater freedom than before, Ruan opined. 
 
Internet Not Considered "Traditional Media" 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (C) Continuing on the subject of the Internet, Ruan 
commented that the government still does not consider the 
Internet "traditional media," and for that reason, there are 
fewer limitations, seemingly contradicting his earlier statement 
that greater controls have been imposed since 2004.  He said he 
maintains a personal website (Chuanboxue.net) containing a 
community forum with discussions on politics and society.  It 
has not been censored, and there are "free debates."  In some 
posts, some individuals argue for democratic socialism, and some 
against it.  The boundary around such debates has been greatly 
expanded by the Internet.  In his forum, there are "multiple 
critiques and a lot of freedom," Ruan said.  It is still 
possible to read critiques of current and past leaders on the 
Internet. 
 
¶5.  (C) Note and Comment: Following the government's May 29 
announcement of an increase in the tax on stock trades, Internet 
stock chat rooms (gu ba) were full of angry comments criticizing 
the decision, including a posting stating that "hoodlum 
government officials and foreign investors will benefit most" 
from imposition of this tax.  Neither the tax itself nor the 
amount were apparently in issue, but rather the fact that 
authorities were perceived to have "lied once again" after 
explicitly promising not to raise the tax a few weeks ago.  The 
blogs and chat rooms were full of sarcasm and complaints from 
approximately May 30 through June 5, when all comments were 
blocked and/or erased.  Local contacts commented that it was 
depressing to see the government purge discussion on even these 
"economic" sites, and that life in Chengdu was becoming 
"progressively more and more boring" in a "stifling information 
 
CHENGDU 00000148  002.2 OF 003 
 
 
environment."  End Note and Comment. 
 
Media Represents PRC Government Views 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (C) One Washington visitor raised the case of a recent 
People's Daily (Renmin Ribao) article criticizing United States 
policy in Iraq, and said many people in the U.S. Government 
assumed it represented the PRC Government's views because it 
appeared in the Party-controlled press.  Ruan responded that 
editors have the first responsibility for content, and 
government representatives have secondary responsibility.  He 
added that for any article that affects bilateral or 
multilateral relations, Foreign Affairs officials will also 
review the article.  (Note:  In a recent media censorship case 
in Chengdu, three newspaper officials were fired after the 
Chengdu Evening News inadvertently ran an ad dedicated to the 
"adamant mothers of the June 4 victims."  (Reftel) End Note). 
 
¶7.  (C) The visitors asked if subscriptions to newspapers have 
declined as more and more people get their news from the 
Internet.  Ruan replied that the newspaper industry in China is 
still rising because people's thirst for information is 
ever-increasing, as is the scope of news coverage.  However, he 
asserted the print media has changed from being the Party's 
mouthpiece to being a market-controlled newspaper.  Huaxi ("West 
China") is the best example of this.  The reform of the media 
began with the newspaper.  Now there are "citizens' newspapers," 
which pay more attention to the needs of the common people. 
Television is also devoting more coverage to people's livelihood 
issues. 
 
"False News" in the Media 
------------------------- 
 
¶8.  (C) Turning to the subject of "false news" accompanying the 
"marketization" of the media, Ruan said he has been covering 
this since the 1980s.  He noted that false reporting is not a 
new phenomenon -- it occurred even during Mao Zedong's time. 
There is more false information reported now because of market 
competition.  In the past, false news served the interests of 
the government.  Now, it serves the interests of the media 
themselves.  For example, prior to China's May Labor Day 
Holiday, many stories were written to "promote" the May Day 
atmosphere -- stories covering the activities of workers, 
cadres, and farmers.  Ruan cited a specific example of a 
journalist with a tight deadline who decided it was easier to 
make up a story then to actually go out and interview people. 
His editor knew he had not interviewed people, but ran the story 
anyway, hoping to gain attention, promotion and higher wages. 
 
¶9.  (C) Theoretically, in a diverse society, the media will also 
be diverse, Ruan continued.  There are two aspects to the 
media's role:  a propaganda mission and a market mission.   Hu 
Jintao has warned that government officials should not only 
serve the rich.  Ruan pointed out that in spite of this 
admonition, mainstream media continue to target the interests of 
the high-income groups, or those making more than RMB 3,000 (USD 
3,600) a month.  Ruan added it was also unfortunate that in some 
rural areas, media speaks only for government leaders and 
ignores issues and interests of the vast majority of common 
citizens. 
 
Role of Media in Harmonious Society 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶10.  (C) Chinese press reported that Hu Jintao spoke to media 
executives just after the Sixth Plenum, reminding them of their 
role in building a Harmonious Society.  Ruan attributed this 
reminder in part to the case of Yang Lijuan, where the media 
stirred up controversy over a relatively insignificant issue. 
Media attention to the issue became "unhealthy" and led to 
"wasted" discussion of an issue that should not have grabbed 
headlines.  (Note:  Yang Lijuan is a 29-year-old "professional 
fan" of pop star Liu Dehua.  She dreamed of meeting Liu for 13 
years.  Her father and family tried to support her efforts to 
meet the star by selling their home and other belongings.  After 
a March 2007 "fan party" in Hong Kong during which Liu did not 
receive the much sought-after attention from Liu, her father 
committed suicide.  The press and Internet created a nationwide 
stir about the case which in turn spawned discussion, debate and 
commentary.  End Note).  Ruan agreed with the admonition to the 
media to be careful not to magnify the significance of the small 
events, but rather to promote harmonious aspects of society and 
a "peaceful environment."  As an aside, Ruan noted there is a 
new news segment on the evening news called "Ping-an Chengdu" 
(Peaceful Chengdu), but ironically, coverage in the segment is 
not very peaceful and includes murders, accidents, and disputes. 
 
 
CHENGDU 00000148  003.2 OF 003 
 
 
Comment 
------- 
¶11.  In Sichuan, as in other parts of our Consular district, 
government controls on print media and the Internet appear to be 
changing on an almost daily basis.  On June 8, the Chengdu 
Government announced a new campaign to inspect and license 
Internet cafes.  Post will continue to monitor the local media 
in order to try to identify trends in censorship and enforcement 
of new regulations. 
BOUGHNER