The People’s Daily , the official mouth-piece of the Communist Part of China, today features an article on its front page headlined: “Consciously maintain the good aspects of reform, development and stability.” The article states that the broad masses of Chinese cadres and people strongly support the CPC Central Committee’s decision to investigate Bo Xilai, the charismatic former Party head of Chongqing who was recently ousted, and his possible connection to the suspected murder of Englishman Neil Heywood.
The article goes on to describe the excellence of China’s current system: socialism with Chinese characteristics. It says that to maintain the good situation of reform, development and stability, the Chinese people must unify their thinking and confidently “rally behind the CPC Central Committee” (坚决拥护党中央) with Comrade Hu Jintao.
This article was republished by dozens of Party-affiliated papers across the country and in commercial newspapers and websites. This forceful propaganda campaign naturally attracted some attention on the Internet, where the phrase “rally behind the CPC Central Committee” became a humorous meme: See Offbeat China for some examples.
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The photo depicts Hu Jintao shaking hands with CY Leung (Leung Chun-ying), the newly appointed fourth Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The meeting took place at the Communist Party headquarters in Zhongnanhai. Both sides agreed to continue implementing the “One Country, Two Systems” policy that currently informs the governance of Hong Kong.
Vice President Xi Jinping, State Councilor Liu Yandong, Central Office Director Ling Jihua, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Liu Hui and some members of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee were also in attendance.
Links and sources:
China Youth Daily: 自觉维护放革发展稳定的良好局面, 胡锦涛会见梁振英
New Yorker, Letter from China: Bo Xilai and his wife: rumors of homicide in China (analysis of current controversy)