"Red messages" booming again in Chinese mainland
- Source: Global Times
- [22:17 June 10 2009]
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A Chinese choir formed by offspring of Chinese Communist Party's generals staged its first performance in Chongqing last month in its tour across the country.
The performance coincided with the campaign of “Sing revolutionary songs, Read revolutionary classics, Recount revolutionary stories” launched by Bo Xilai, secretary of the municipal CPC Committee of Chongqing.
In 2009, the promotion of these campaigns nationwide seems inextricably linked with a sensitive situation, namely the maintenance of “stability” as China prepares for the 60th anniversary of the country’s founding.
A large-scale campaign to “extoll revolutionary speeches” was started at the end of April in Chongqing, and a government agency made plans to broadcast the “red messages” throughout the Chinese mainland. On the morning of April 28, the 13 million mobile phone users in Chongqing suddenly received a text message: “I am really fond of these words of Chairman Mao: ‘The world is ours, we should unite for achievements,’ ‘responsibility and seriousness can conquer the world and the Chinese Communist Party members represent these qualities.’ These words are incisive and inspirational.”
At the same time, the “red messages” competition was organized in Guangdong Province, where the program of reform and opening-up was first initiated. This competition was in response to “the debate of ideological emancipation,” a project started by the Guangdong Provincial CPC Committee. The prize-winning paragraphs will function as long-term cultural brands.
Government bodies were using technology like mobile phone text messages to promote their ideas, full of political significance.
The so-called “red messages” project was launched in opposition to what is known as the “yellow messages,” dirty jokes that became widely circulated among the public. Unlike the yellow messages, the red messages are healthy and motivational, and include both the speeches embodying the spirit of the Chinese Communist Party and mottos of famous people and aphorisms created by the common people in line with traditional Chinese virtues, values and social ethics.
“Red messages” was coined in 2005 by the Guangdong branch of the China Mobile Communication Corporation, which cooperated with the Guangdong Provincial Ethics Promotion Office. A series of campaigns were launched, and the phrases became popular across the country and also became a symbol of Guangdong. The “red messages” initiative was applauded by members of the Party.
However, contrary to widespread circulation within the Communist Party, the promotion of the “red messages” to the general public has encountered resistance. But the particular “red messages” that related to people’s concerns were a great success. The local authorities nationwide have utilized these text messages to collect public opinion and strategies for local development.
Phoenix Weekly