World

China removes online criticism of plan to extend Xi's rule

26 of February 2018

FILE - In this Oct 25, 2017, file photo, Chinese President Xi Jinping, third from left, waves near Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, third from right, as they walk in with other members of the Chinese Politburo Beijing's at the Great Hall of the People. On a proposal made public Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, China's ruling Communist Party proposes removing a limit of two consecutive terms for the president and vice president. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File),FILE - In this Oct 25, 2017, file photo, Chinese President Xi Jinping, third from left, waves near Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, third from right, as they walk in with other members of the Chinese Politburo Beijing's at the Great Hall of the People. On a proposal made public Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, China's ruling Communist Party proposes removing a limit of two consecutive terms for the president and vice president. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

Chinese censors are acting quickly to remove satirical comments about the ruling Communist Party's move to enable President Xi Jinping to stay in power indefinitely, while political observers are examining the possibility that China will return to an era of one-man rule. A day after the party announced proposed constitutional changes for next month, Chinese internet users on Monday found themselves unable to signal approval or disapproval with changes to their profiles.

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese censors are acting quickly to remove satirical comments about the ruling Communist Party’s move to enable President Xi Jinping to stay in power indefinitely, while political observers are examining the possibility that China will return to an era of one-man rule.

A day after the party announced proposed constitutional changes for next month, Chinese internet users on Monday found themselves unable to signal approval or disapproval with changes to their profiles. Key search topics such as “serve another term” were blocked.

Nevertheless, social media users shared images of Winnie the Pooh hugging a jar of honey along with the quote, “Find the thing you love and stick with it.” The Disney bear’s appearance has been compared to that of Xi, prompting periodic blocks on use of Pooh pictures online.