This is why Chinese propagandists are clamping down on Fang Fang’s diary on the lockdown in Wuhan
As the coronavirus raged in Wuhan and across China, Fang Fang, a well-known writer based in the city, decided to write a diary about life under the lockdown and her own reflections on the crisis.
Having lived all her adult life there, Fang Fang feels passionate about Wuhan; but like millions of her fellow residents, she was consumed by fear, confusion and sadness. During her time under lockdown, she wrote the following:
29 January: “We are all shut inside our homes, but as long as we have not been infected, we are OK. But for the patients who are seeking hospital treatment, it is very tough. I have watched video footage of medical staff and patients having a meltdown; I have never experienced such sadness and helplessness in my life.”
Fang Fang’s narration and empathy soon caught the attention of the public, who seem to have found an outlet for their own frustration and grief as they relate to the individual suffering behind the rising cases and death toll. They read and share her diary in their millions on Weibo (China’s microblogging site) and offer support as well as their own stories.
None of this should come as a surprise, as Fang Fang is a highly respected author in Wuhan. She worked as a porter before studying Chinese literature at Wuhan University in the early 1980s and has published over 60 poems, essays and novels and won several prestigious literary prizes. She often portrays the underdogs in society, those with no hopes but keep fighting. Her Wuhan diary is simply an extension of her personality and beliefs.
Such as her scathing criticism of insensitive official propaganda:
31 January: “How many people have died in Wuhan and [had their] families destroyed? But so far, not a single person has said sorry or taken responsibility. I have even seen a writer using the phrase ‘complete victory’. What are they talking about? Wuhan is in such a bad state, with people’s lives hanging by a thread. Where is the victory?”
Fang Fang warns fellow writers: “You will likely be asked to write celebratory essays and poems. Please pause before you write – who do you want to praise? If you want to curry favours, watch how low you [...] go. I might be getting old, but I’ll never give up voicing my opinion.”
Such strong stances often get Fang Fang in trouble. Her Weibo account, with more than 3.8 million followers, was banned on the same night Dr Li Wenliang died after being infected by the coronavirus.
Dr Li was one of eight whistleblowers reprimanded by Wuhan police for “spreading rumours” after they warned friends on social media circles about a new Sars like pneumonia. Dr Li was infected in mid-january and passed away on 7 February.
His death sparked an outpouring of grief and anger in Wuhan and across the country. Many were furious that authorities were busy silencing whistleblowers rather than informing the public about the virus.
Now the Chinese government is tackling the coronavirus like a war, mobilising resources while putting in draconian measures. Only the official narrative is permitted and people who raise questions are hushed and punished.
Fang Fang herself has to constantly find new platforms to publish her diary, with censors following her around and removing her posts; but many others manage to read and share them and praise her courage.
One reader wrote: “a writer and former chairman of the provincial writers’ association is banned for 14 days just because she publishes a diary and expresses her feelings – this is ridiculous”.
Fang Fang is not without detractors and trolls. One army writer attacked her for not thinking about the country, but being hell bent on spreading negative information. Another blogger thinks that Fang Fang only criticises others for not doing things right but has never gone out to help in any way herself.
On 1 March new regulation governing internet content took effect in China, which will only mean tighter control over content deemed “harmful” to the state, and a tougher fight for Fang Fang and others who want to have a voice.