By Cai Siyun, Vision Times
In recent days, China’s short-video platform Douyin (a popular app similar to TikTok) has seen an unusual surge of politically-sensitive content, including videos referencing Hu Jintao, Chai Jing, Zhao Ziyang, and even June Fourth (6/4). The development has prompted widespread speculation over whether Beijing’s once-ironclad censorship apparatus is cracking, and whether an anti-Communist wave could be forming.
Some observers believe the phenomenon is a deliberate trap designed at weeding out those who harbor negative opinions of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Others argue it reflects the internal power struggles among the CCP’s top ranks, especially as anti-Xi forces gain momentum.
X-platform blogger “Ziyousuiwo” noted that Douyin users began circulating clips long considered untouchable. One widely-shared video featured former CCTV journalist Cai Jing’s 2006 interview with Hu Jintao. Both figures are deeply sensitive in China’s information controls, making the clip’s ability to spread without immediate deletion “highly unusual,” according to netizens.
RELATED: Yu Menglong Case Sparks New Claims of Missing Yunnan Children, CCP Abuse
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Soon after, videos appeared documenting the 1911 Xinhai Revolution, listing dates when Chinese provinces declared independence. While framed as history, the content’s focus on decentralization and regime collapse triggered speculation over hidden political messaging.
Douyin then hosted videos explaining South Korea’s June 3, 1964 democracy movement, which many viewers interpreted as a veiled reference to China’s own June Fourth crackdown that saw its military brutally gun down student activists protesting equal rights and democracy at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. Additional clips centered on the concept of “impeachment”, a term that, while vague, has long been tightly monitored in the Chinese political lexicon.
The most striking moment came when footage from a June Fourth documentary circulated openly on Douyin. The clip showed a student riding a bicycle toward Tiananmen Square, intercepted by a foreign journalist. When asked where he was going, the student replied calmly: “Going to march, at Tiananmen Square. When asked why, he answered, “Why? I think it’s my duty!”
Many users commented that it was “the first time ever” they had seen such footage on Douyin.
Shortly afterward, users shared historical clips of Zhao Ziyang visiting Tiananmen Square to persuade students in 1989. Comment sections filled with explicit references to “8964,” creating a rare moment of open political discussion on a platform known for swift deletions.
Netizens take a stand
Political satire soon followed. One viral video repackaged former vice premier Wang Yang’s speeches using the cartoon character Bald Qiang. The clip quoted Wang directly: “The pursuit of happiness is a right of the people, and serving the people’s well-being is the responsibility of the government,” the voice-over could be heard saying. “We must reject the erroneous theory that people’s happiness is a gift bestowed by the government.” The video spread rapidly, drawing widespread praise among netizens.
Another animated short titled “Xiong Er Criticism Assembly” drew attention for its heavy symbolism. Many viewers interpreted the character Xiong Er as a stand-in for Xi Jinping, a reading widely echoed in comments.
Equally surprising was the apparent unblocking of the name “Yu Menglong.” After the mainland actor’s reported death, all mention of him had been suppressed, forcing fans to use euphemisms. In recent days, however, screen recordings showed hundreds of users posting his real name under tribute videos—without deletion. Some praised the moment; others worried it was temporary.
On X, one user asked: “Are the things appearing on Douyin these past few days really viewable without a VPN?” The post surpassed 2.7 million views, with commenters noting that Douyin’s current openness rivals that of X itself.
Pandora’s box opened
Even official propaganda began to backfire. The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson’s Office posted a video titled “The U.S. Is Not Accustomed to Hearing the Truth, Nor Willing to Face Its Own Problems.” The comment section exploded with sarcasm. One top-liked comment read: “I’m from Henan, this video says it well.” Others mocked the subtitles, implying the message better described the CCP itself.
In another video showcasing robotic dogs with swappable human faces, commenters joked: “Does it have ‘Ping-ge’s’ face?” and “What about ‘Yuan-ge’?” — thinly veiled references to Xi Jinping and his brother Xi Yuanping.
Some users reported openly mocking Xi in comments without being banned. One wrote that such remarks previously resulted in instant account suspension, but not now.
A cryptic video summed up the mood: “When it first appeared, we mistook it for a god; midway, fangs emerged and we realized it was a ghost; now the disguise is gone, and we see it is a demon.” Though unnamed, many commenters agreed “it” referred to the CCP and Xi.
Skeptics warn this may be a classic “luring snakes out of their holes” tactic, recalling the Anti-Rightist Campaign that followed Mao’s Hundred Flowers Movement. But many more believe it reflects elite infighting, arguing this surge of “storm-the-tower” content signals anti-Xi factions temporarily winning ground.
As one commenter wrote, “More people are seeing the truth, and once they do, it’s hard to put the lid back on.”
