The Word Within the Words

China’s 中华人民共和国新闻出版总署 (General Administration of Press and Publication) has duly updated the list of sensitive words and expressions banned and/or silenced on Chinese social media and web sites. So please keep it in mind when communicating in written form. Here is a summarised list:

• “Winnie the Pooh” (小熊维尼)
• “Disney” (迪士尼)
• “Ten thousand years” (万岁), which is China’s way of saying: “Long live!” or “Viva!”
• “Disagree” (不同意)
• “Shameless” (不要脸)
• “Lifelong” (终身)
• “Personality cult” (个人崇拜)
• “Immortality” (长生不老)

A 昆明狼狗 (Kūnmíng wolfdog) yawns during a training exercise demonstration for the media at the Correctional Services Department (CSD) Dog Unit Headquarters in 香港 (Hong Kong), China. Photo: AFP/Anthony Wallace.