China has shut down the country’s leading leftist websites as the ruling Communist party tries to calm a fight over power and ideology ahead of its once-in-a-decade leadership transition.
The move came as the party also stepped up its campaign for ideological control of the military, seen as a potential key player in the power struggle.
Utopia, a website which regularly carries articles criticising pro-market reforms, demonises the US and glorifies Mao Zedong, said on Friday the government had closed it down for a month. Mao Zedong Flag Web, another Maoist page, and the online chatroom of The fourth Media, the nationalist website formerly called Anti CNN, were closed down as well.
Supporters of Bo Xilai, the former Communist party secretary of Chongqing who was purged from his position in March, had used the sites to defend him and his Maoist revival policies even after his downfall, highlighting the broader split in the party.
Wen Jiabao, premier, has stepped up his push for more reforms since Mr Bo’s removal from his Chongqing post on March 15. Mr Wen indicated larger financial reforms this week, saying the government wanted to “smash” the monopoly of the big state banks. In addition, some liberal Communist party officials say Mr Wen is pushing for a re-examination of the Tiananmen massacre in 1989.
Utopia said internet regulators from the Beijing Municipal government and from the State Council Information Office had conducted talks with those in charge of the website and accused them of publishing “articles that violated the constitution, viciously attacked national leaders and fantasised about the 18th Party Congress”.
Meanwhile the Liberation Army Daily, the main military newspaper, warned the armed forces on Friday to ignore rumours and obey the party’s political line.
“Resist with determination the invasion of all kinds of erroneous thought, do not let noises disturb you, do not let rumours confuse you, do not let undercurrents move you, and ensure that the troops absolutely obey the directions of party, the Central Military Commission and chairman Hu [Jintao],” it said in a front-page editorial.
The article follows a series of similar exhortations stressing the party’s leadership over the armed forces published since February, as is common in a period seen as politically sensitive. It also echoes a broader propaganda campaign conducted through other state media to resurrect a façade of unity and stability.
Following Mr Bo’s purge, wild rumours have been circulating, including a rumour two weeks ago that Zhou Yongkang, the top Communist party official in charge of security, had staged a military coup to rescue Mr Bo.
Mr Bo has close personal ties to some senior military leaders, partly through his background as son of one of the People’s Liberation Army’s revolutionary veterans, and has repeatedly courted the military.
By Kathrin Hille in Beijing
6 April 2012
@ The Financial Times
Additional reporting by Zhao Tianqi, Beijing