Is this a good song about the glory of online censorship? Or is this the greatest song ever about the glory of online censorship?
The ode, written by Wang Pingjiu, is a rousing choral tribute to the Chinese system of online surveillance and censorship known as the Great Firewall — and the government department behind it. In recent weeks, the wall has been rising as the ruling party cracks down on virtual private networks (VPNs) and online speech.
As well it should, the song suggests. Here is a translation courtesy of China Economic Review:
There are signs, however that the censors are perhaps a little embarrassed by the attention. As the video began circulating, links to it started going dead — because in China, even the songs about censorship are censored.
— With reporting from Gu Yongqiang / Beijing
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Write to Emily Rauhala / Beijing at emily_rauhala@timeasia.com