Covid-19 Series: Censorship of News Reports Critical of the Government's Response

It is not possible to list here all of the news articles that were censored from January to April 2020. The censorship of three articles published by China's more reputable state sponsored media outlets is described in detail below. Approximately 20 more examples are listed at the bottom of this post.

Caixin Cover Story 

Title: They Fought the Battle to the End [他们打满全场]
Date Published: April 10, 2020
Date Censored: April 11 or 12, 2020
Publisher: 财新周刊
Original URL: http://weekly.caixin.com/2020-04-10/101540932.html
Archived URL:  https://web.archive.org/web/20200411204707/http://weekly.caixin.com/2020-04-10/101540932.html
Cover: http://weekly.caixin.com/2020/cw900/
 

Evidence Of Censorship: The screenshots on the left and right below show that for the issues immediately preceding and following the April 13 issue, Caixin featured links to its cover story (outlined in blue). The screenshot in the middle shows that for the April 13 issue, Caixin does not provide any link to its cover story (outlined in red).

In addition, the screenshot on the left below shows a Google cache of Caxin's cover story index page as it appeared on April 11, 2020, with the "They Fought the Battle to the End [他们打满全场]" featured at the top (outlined in blue). The screenshot on the right shows the same page as it appeared on April 13, 2020, and that story has been removed.

Excerpts:
 

Li Yirong told Caixin reporters that the National Key Laboratory of Virology of Wuhan University and the research team of Zhongnan Hospital did not upload the whole genome sequence of the new coronavirus to GISAID until January 23. "Because the relevant departments do not allow private pathogenic testing, and we were not allowed to publish relevant pathogen testing or experimental results without authorization, we were very cautious in releasing information.
 
李一荣告诉财新记者，武大病毒学国家重点实验室和中南医院研究团队直到1月23日才将新冠病毒的全基因组序列上传至GISAID。“因为有关部门不允许私自做病原学检测，不得擅自对外发布有关病原检测或实验结果，我们发布信息很谨慎。”

China Newsweek Cover Story

 

Title: The Regret of Wuhan: How China Missed the Critical Window for Controlling the Coronavirus Outbreak [武汉之憾：黄金防控期是如何错过的]
Date Published: Online version was published on February 5, 2020. Magazine was dated February 10, 2020.
Date Censored: Some time before February 9, 2020.
Publisher:中国新闻周刊
Original URL: https://news.sina.com.cn/c/2020-02-05/doc-iimxyqvz0431055.shtml | https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/utrKt3oYGdIsjKOcyzlBmQ
Archived URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20200205115627/https://news.sina.com.cn/c/2020-02-05/doc-iimxyqvz0431055.shtml | https://archive.li/SPwN3/image
Cover: https://finance.sina.cn/2020-02-05/detail-iimxyqvz0352015.d.html
Translation: https://chinachange.org/2020/02/09/the-regret-of-wuhan-how-china-missed-the-critical-window-for-controlling-the-coronavirus-outbreak/
 
Evidence of Censorship: The screenshot on the left below shows a Google cache version of the article as it appeared on February 5, 2020. The screenshot on the right shows the same URL as it appeared on February 9, 2020.
 

In addition, the screenshot below shows that a search on China Newsweek's search engine for the title of the article returns no results.
 

Finally, the screenshot on the left below shows an archived version of the article as it appeared on February 5, 2020. The screenshot on the right shows the same URL as it appeared on December 17, 2020.

Excerpts:

Lin Yu, a doctor at the Union Hospital, affiliated with Huazhong University of Science and Technology’s Tongji Medical School described his recollections in an interview with China News Weekly. He said that at the beginning of the outbreak, the Wuhan municipal government’s policy for dealing with the problem was “cold handling”. The hospital where Lin worked issued a notice saying that barring explicit permission from the work unit, no one was allowed to discuss the sickness using their personal communication channels or give interviews with the media. In addition to the clinical system, information was also strictly controlled at the hospital infection-control department and at the CDC. “You weren’t allowed to say anything all.” The only thing the doctor could do was repeatedly exhort those seeking treatment: “wear masks, you must buy and wear masks.” They also made loaded jokes, like “avoid Huanan Seafood Market, the products there aren’t fresh.”

林羽是华中科技大学同济医学院附属协和医院的医生，他对《中国新闻周刊》回忆说，疫情刚开始的时候，武汉市的策略都是“冷处理”。他所在的医院就通知，在没有单位授权的时候，不允许私自在公众平台谈论病情，不允许私自接受媒体采访，不仅仅是临床系统，包括院感、CDC那边消息管控更严重，“整个就不让说”。当时，医生们唯一能做的，就是一再嘱咐就诊患者“口罩、口罩、一定要买口罩、戴口罩”，甚至半开玩笑地嘱咐“不要去华南海鲜市场买东西，那里东西不新鲜”。

Caijing WeChat Post

Title: People Outside the Statistics: Did They Die of “Ordinary Pneumonia”? [统计数字之外的人：他们死于“普通肺炎”？]
Date Published: February 1, 2020
Date Censored: February 2, 2020
Publisher: 财经杂志 (Official WeChat Public Account)
Original URL: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/OQGVZlrJWID9Gn4A_T5u_g
Archived URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20200201152342/https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/OQGVZlrJWID9Gn4A_T5u_g
Translation: https://github.com/memoryhonest/nCovMemory-en/blob/master/docs/2020-02-01/excluded_from_the_statistics.md
 
Evidence Of Censorship: The screenshot on the left below shows the post as it appeared on the morning of February 2, 2020. The  screenshot on the right below shows the post as it appeared on the afternoon of February 2, 2020 - that text reads "Unable to view this content because it violates regulations. This content was reported and determined to be in violation of the Provisions on the Administration of Internet User Public Account Information Services. View Details" [此内容因违规无法查看. 接相关投诉，此内容违反《互联网用户公众帐号信息服务管理规定》，查看详细内容].

The screenshot below shows the English language version of that censorship notice.
 

Excerpts:

On January 26, 2020, Liu Mei's family received a cremation notice. Her mother-in-law, a 73-year-old woman, had been at home when she stopped breathing, and died after being sent to the hospital after resuscitation attempts had failed.
 
Liu Mei told "Caijing" reporters that the elderly woman had developed symptoms of the suspected new coronavirus pneumonia on January 21. After examination at the Wuhan No. 4 Hospital, the diagnosis showed that her lungs were highly infected. However, the elderly woman was moved to several hospitals and was not admitted to any of them, so she could only isolate herself at home until she became critically ill.
 
After the elderly woman was taken away by the ambulance her family never saw her again. The last thing they received was a cremation notice, which listed the cause of death of the elderly woman as viral pneumonia. However, according to family members, the death of the elderly woman was not counted in the number of confirmed deaths from novel coronavirus pneumonia because until her death, she was not eligible for hospitalization and was not diagnosed with novel coronavirus pneumonia, and could only be counted as having the misfortune to die from "common pneumonia."
 
The elderly woman passed away quickly, with no time for proper arrangements to be made or for family members to see her off. Her ashes remain in the funeral home.
 
The members of Liu Mei's family whose relative died without treatment are not alone. "Caijing" reporters have conducted several investigations and have learned that, although the number of outpatients exhibiting fevers in major designated hospitals in Wuhan has declined compared with the time when the city was "closed" on January 23, and a third batch of designated hospital has been opened, the lack of hospital beds has not been fully alleviated. While the number of confirmed and suspected cases has risen, there are still many lives hanging by a thread outside the epidemic statistics.
 
A department director of a designated hospital told a "Caijing" reporter that there were about 120 patients with fever a day in the outpatient clinic of the hospital in the past two days, of which about 80 had lung infections, but only 5 may were eventually admitted to hospital.

2020年1月26日，刘梅一家接到了一张火化单。她的婆婆、73岁的老人在家中没了呼吸，送去医院抢救无效后死亡。
 
刘梅告诉《财经》记者，老人在1月21日出现疑似新型冠状病毒肺炎的症状，在武汉市第四医院检查后诊断结果显示肺部高度感染。但老人辗转数家医院仍未被住院收治，只能在家自我隔离，直至病危。
 
老人被送上救护车后，家人再没见过她。他们最后收到的只有一张火化单，显示老人的死亡原因是：病毒性肺炎。但据家人说，老人的离世并未被计入新冠肺炎的确诊死亡数字中——因为直到去世，她也没有得到住院资格，也没有被确诊为新冠肺炎，只能被算作因“普通肺炎”而去世的不幸者。
 
老人仓促离世，没有体面的收拾、没有家属的送别，至今骨灰还在殡仪馆里。
 
刘梅家得不到救治而离世的亲人并非孤例。《财经》记者多方调查了解到，尽管目前武汉各大定点医院发热门诊的就医人数比1月23日刚“封城”时有所下降，定点医院也已开至第三批，但一床难求的情况并没有完全得到缓解。确诊、疑似数字攀升的同时，仍有很多疫情统计数字之外的人命悬一线。
 
一位定点医院的科室主任告诉《财经》记者，这两天医院门诊一天有120名左右发热病人，其中大约80名有肺部感染，但只有5名可能最终被收住院。

Additional Examples of Articles That Were Censored or Deleted

Caijing [财经]

Workers at Huoshenshan Wanted to Return Home: At Least Nine People Were Confirmed Infected, Their Livelihoods at Risk [火神山工人想回家：至少9人确诊，生计暂难为继 ]
Original URL: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/FfB6QgnxjCBAoD4lPEDrIQ
Archived Version: http://archive.today/jP0mK | https://web.archive.org/web/20200318150008/https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/FfB6QgnxjCBAoD4lPEDrIQ

In Order to Meet Resumption Quotas, Some Zhejiang Enterprises are Exaggerate Utility Usage [为达标复工率，浙江部分企业注水用电量]
Original URL: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/G2EtbaG_bLTpWlNThuNUrw
Archived Version: http://archive.ph/gYf0F

Exclusive Interview With Second Batch of Experts Deployed by the Ministry of Health: Why Have We Not Seen Person-to-Person Transmission? [专访卫健委派武汉第二批专家：为何没发现人传人？]
Original URL: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/jY9NEElLmLckv4k7Workog
Archived Version: http://archive.today/6MyfO

Discriminated Against, Evicted, and Fired, Hubei Mirgrant Workers Live in Abandoned Buildings in Shenzhen [受歧视遭退租被辞工，湖北籍农民工流落深圳烂尾楼]
Original URL: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/4ZFzdJXlYUvNiFzpy7DUrA
Archived Version: http://archive.today/Elyw2

Gao Fu Responds to the Controversy: I'm Not Online Arguing Because I'm Researching a Cunning Virus [高福回应争议：不能去网络吵架，在研究狡猾病毒]
Original URL: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/RBjSumb2wh7sRoCRaNyS1Q
Archived Version: http://archive.today/XCiq9

Three Barriers Those Suspected of Beijing Infected in Wuhan Must Surmount to Get a Hospital Room [武汉疑似患者通往病房的三道难关]
Original URL: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/emhJaE4O4ElsCntcJDJLWw
Archived Version: http://archive.today/GbY4J

Caixin [财新]

Pneumonia Diary | March 19: The Result of the Investigation into Li Wenliang is Announced, The Public Cries for More Action Against Those Responsible [肺炎日记|3月19日：李文亮调查结果公布，舆论呼吁继续追责]
Original URL: http://www.caixin.com/2020-03-20/101531330.html
Archived Version: http://archive.ph/wTJ4j

Suspicions Many Retested Positive: The Full Story of the Deaths of People Discharged from the Hospital After Recovering from the Novel Coronavirus [复阳疑云：新冠患者出院后死亡事件始末]
Original URL: http://www.caixin.com/2020-03-05/101524370.html
Archived Version: http://archive.ph/pJNx6

Lights, Air, and Machinery Turned on to "Meet Quotas" - How Reliable are the Country's Work Resumption Numbers [开灯开空调开机器“冲指标” 全国复工数据有多少水分]
Original URL: http://companies.caixin.com/2020-03-03/101523137.html
Archived Version: https://web.archive.org/web/20200303162758/http://companies.caixin.com/2020-03-03/101523137.html

Tracing Gene Sequencing of the Novel Coronavirus: When Did the Alarm Sound [新冠病毒基因测序溯源：警报是何时拉响的]
Original URL: http://china.caixin.com/2020-02-26/101520972.html
Archived Version: https://archive.li/YylMt

Voices from the Front Line Physicians: We Need Help from the International Medical Community [来自前线医生的声音：请国际同行支援我们]
Original URL: http://www.caixin.com/2020-02-26/101520806.html
Archived Version: http://archive.is/zrtaK

Four Members of a Hubei Movie Theater Workers Family Died One After Another: Attention Needs to Be Paid to Families With High Novel Coronavirus Mortality Rates [湖北电影厂员工一家四口接连去世 新冠家庭死亡率高企需关注]
Original URL: http://www.caixin.com/2020-02-16/101516206.html
Archived Version: http://archive.is/iZ7PK

Four Members of a Hubei Movie Theater Workers Family Died One After Another: Liu Fan and Chang Kai are Siblings (Updated) [湖北电影厂员工一家四口接连去世 柳帆常凯实为姐弟（更新）]
Original URL: https://china.caixin.com/2020-02-18/101516203.html
Archived Version: https://archive.li/syczr

Southern Group [南方周末/南方人物周刊]

Family Members of the Deceased in Wuhan: Waiting to Receive Ashes, Waiting for a Way to Express Grief [武汉逝者家属：等待领取骨灰，等待表达悲痛的方式]
Original URL: https://www.infzm.com/contents/179409
Archived Version: http://archive.vn/tepX8

From Discovery to Shutdown, Frontline Medical Workers in Wuhan on Why the Epidemic Broke Out [从发现到封城，武汉一线医护复盘疫情为何爆发]
Original URL: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/tKNwe5bY-rCqhl-juJWqrg
Archived Version: https://archive.vn/T5wcv

Over 160 Hospital Around the Country Plea to the Public for Help, Why is there not Enough Medical Resources and Equipment ? [全国160余家医院向社会求援，医疗物资储备为何不足？]
Original URL: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/SEeoUXwzcfuikvwz46zvDA
Archived Version: http://archive.is/IAgnb

Sanlian Weekly [三联生活周刊]

From the Scene: Huoshenshan Opens: Who Should the Hospital Beds be Reserved For? [现场：火神山开通：病床该留给谁？]
Original URL: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/07-eyh4PxUtXf2F_WHpApQ
Archived Version: https://web.archive.org/web/20200204055934/https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/07-eyh4PxUtXf2F_WHpApQ

Global Times [环球时报]

Medical Workers from Wuhan Central Hospital Confess their True Feelings: The Epidemic is Like Looking in a Demon Mirror [武汉市中心医院医护人员吐真情：疫情是面照妖镜]
Original URL: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/tBKwTE1FPN_uO_Vp2Zm_0w
Archived Version: https://archive.li/2isMJ

Translation: Provisions on the Administration of Internet Public Account Information Services

Provisions on the Administration of Internet Public Account Information Services

Issued on: September 7, 2017
Issued by: Cyberspace Administration of China
Source: http://www.cac.gov.cn/2017-09/07/c_1121624269.htm

Article 1. In order to standardize Internet public account information services, safeguard national security and the public interest, protect the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, legal persons and other organizations, these Provisions are hereby formulated in accordance with the "Cyber Security Law of the People's Republic of China" and the "State Council Notice Regarding Authorizing the Cyberspace Administration of China to Assume Responsibility for the Management of Internet Information Content."

Article 2. These Provisions shall apply to the provision and utilization Internet public account information services within the territory of the People's Republic of China.

As used in these Provisions, the term "Internet public account information services" refers to services established and used through Internet websites and mobile Internet application software for publishing information such as text, images, and video to the public by users who register public account.

As used in these Provisions, the term "Internet public account information service providers" refers to Internet platforms that provide Internet users public account registration utilization services. As used in these Provisions, the term "Internet public account information service users" includes any organization or individual who registers and uses or operates an Internet user public account to provide information publication services.

Article 3. The Cyberspace Administration of China shall be responsible for nation-wide supervision and management of law enforcement for Internet public account information services. Local bureaus of the Cyberspace Administration of China shall be responsible for the supervision and management of law enforcement of Internet public account information services in their respective administrative areas.

Article 4. Internet public account information service providers and users shall insist upon a correct orientation, promote socialist core values, actively cultivate healthy Internet culture, and safeguard a wholesome Internet environment.

Party and government agencies at all levels, companies, and civil organizations are encouraged to register and use Internet public accounts to publish information relating to government affairs and public services to serve economic and social development and satisfy the public's need for information.

Internet public account information service providers shall coordinate with Party and government agencies at all levels, companies, and civil organizations raise the quality of government affairs information publication and public services, and provide technical support and information security guarantees as necessary.

Article 5. Internet public account information service providers shall implement content security management responsibility, allocate specialized personnel and technical capabilities appropriate to the scope of their services, and establish comprehensive management systems for user registration, information censorship, emergency handling, and security protection.

Internet public account information service providers shall formulate and publish administration rules and platform policies, and shall sign service agreements with users clearly establishing the rights and obligations of both parties.

Article 6. Internet public account information service providers shall, in accordance with the principle of "backstage real name and on stage as you like it," and implement verification of  authenticated identity information of Internet public account information service users based on their organization registration number, national identity card number, mobile telephone number, etc. Internet public account information service providers shall not provide information dissemination services for users who do not provide authentic identity information.

Article 7. Internet public account information service providers shall screen and label information about user's account information, service qualifications, and service scope, and shall register them with the Cyberspace Administration office at the central, provincial, autonomous region, or municipal level.

Internet public account information service providers shall use ratings and categorization to implement management and formulate specific management systems of Internet public account information service users' registration information, publication content, number of subscribers, and number of hits, and shall register them with the Cyberspace Administration office at the central, provincial, autonomous region, or municipal level.

Internet public account information service providers shall establish reasonable restrictions on the number of public accounts that can be registered on the same platform on the same subject. They shall require users who have many accounts on the same platform on the same subject, or who who operate many accounts on behalf of enterprises, groups, or associations, to provide basic information such as registration information, business scope, and a list of their accounts, and shall register that information with the Cyberspace Administration office at the central, provincial, autonomous region, or municipal level

Article 8. Internet news information service providers who have acquired Internet news information editorial an publishing credentials in accordance with the law may use public accounts to edit and publish news information.

Article 9. Internet public account information service providers shall adopt such measures as are necessary to protect users' personal information security, and shall not disclose, tamper, damage, or illegally sell or provide it to others.

Internet public account information service providers shall provide users the ability to delete their account after they terminate their use of the service.

Article 10. Internet public account information service providers shall be responsible for managing information publication and operational security, shall comply with news information management, intellectual property protection, network security protection and all other relevant laws, regulations, and the State's relevant rules for the safeguarding of Internet publishing order.

Article 11. Internet public account information service users may not use public accounts to transmit information with content that is prohibited by laws, regulations, and the State's relevant rules.

Internet public account information service providers shall strengthen their monitoring of public accounts, and upon discovering any publication or transmission of illegal information shall immediately adopt measures to delete and remedy it, prevent its transmission and spread, retain relevant records and report them to the relevant regulatory agencies.

Article 12. Internet public account information service providers that launch voice mail, follower, commenting, and other interactive functionality shall conduct security evaluations in accordance with relevant regulations.

Internet public account information service providers shall conduct oversight and management of voice mail, follower, and commenting of users' public accounts in accordance with the principle of managing based on classification and categorization, and shall provide users with administrative rights and support for them to carry out management of the interactive environment.

Internet public account information service users shall implement real-time management of voice mail, follower, commenting, and other interactive functionality on users' public accounts. Where a user fails to correctly manage these functions resulting in appearance information with content that is prohibited by laws, regulations, and the State's relevant rules, the Internet public account information service provider shall restrict or eliminate the user's voice mail, follower, commenting, and other interactive functionality in accordance with its users terms of service.

Article 13.  Internet public account information service providers shall adopt measures to sanction Internet user public accounts that violate laws and regulations, service agreements, and platform conventions such as warnings, restrictions on functionality, temporarily suspending updates, and banning accounts, and shall retain relevant records and report them to the relevant regulatory agencies.

Internet public account information service providers shall establish a blacklist administration system, and any public accounts and registrants who commit serious violations of the Terms of Service shall be added to the blacklist and have their account shut down and be prohibited from registering new accounts as the situation warrants. Providers shall retain relevant records and report them to the relevant regulatory agencies.

Article 14. Internet industry groups are encouraged to guide and promote Internet public account information service providers to formulate industry conventions, strengthen industry self-discipline, and carry out their social responsibilities.

Internet industry groups are encouraged to establish multi-lateral authoritative mediation bodies to resolve industry disputes.

Article 15.  Internet public account information service providers shall accept oversight from the public and industry organizations.

Internet public account information service providers shall establish channels to report complaints, set up convenient methods for submitting reports, and handle complaints in a prompt manner. National and local bureaus of the Cyberspace Administration of China shall be responsible for supervising and inspecting the status of report processing in their respective jurisdictions.

Article 16. Internet public account information service providers shall cooperate with relevant regulatory agencies' supervision and inspection, and provide technical support and assistance as necessary.

Internet public account information service providers shall retain network logs for at least six month in accordance with rules.

Article 17. Where an Internet public account information service provider violates these Provisions, it shall be handled by the relevant agencies in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.

Article 18. These Provisions shall enter into force as of October 8, 2017.

互联网用户公众账号信息服务管理规定

 
第一条 为规范互联网用户公众账号信息服务，维护国家安全和公共利益，保护公民、法人和其他组织的合法权益，根据《中华人民共和国网络安全法》《国务院关于授权国家互联网信息办公室负责互联网信息内容管理工作的通知》，制定本规定。
 
第二条 在中华人民共和国境内提供、使用互联网用户公众账号从事信息发布服务，应当遵守本规定。
 
本规定所称互联网用户公众账号信息服务，是指通过互联网站、应用程序等网络平台以注册用户公众账号形式，向社会公众发布文字、图片、音视频等信息的服务。
 
本规定所称互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者，是指提供互联网用户公众账号注册使用服务的网络平台。本规定所称互联网用户公众账号信息服务使用者，是指注册使用或运营互联网用户公众账号提供信息发布服务的机构或个人。
 
第三条 国家互联网信息办公室负责全国互联网用户公众账号信息服务的监督管理执法工作，地方互联网信息办公室依据职责负责本行政区域内的互联网用户公众账号信息服务的监督管理执法工作。
 
第四条 互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者和使用者，应当坚持正确导向，弘扬社会主义核心价值观，培育积极健康的网络文化，维护良好网络生态。
 
鼓励各级党政机关、企事业单位和人民团体注册使用互联网用户公众账号发布政务信息或公共服务信息，服务经济社会发展，满足公众信息需求。
 
互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者应当配合党政机关、企事业单位和人民团体提升政务信息发布和公共服务水平，提供必要的技术支撑和信息安全保障。
 
第五条 互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者应当落实信息内容安全管理主体责任，配备与服务规模相适应的专业人员和技术能力，设立总编辑等信息内容安全负责人岗位，建立健全用户注册、信息审核、应急处置、安全防护等管理制度。
 
互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者应当制定和公开管理规则和平台公约，与使用者签订服务协议，明确双方权利义务。
 
第六条 互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者应当按照“后台实名、前台自愿”的原则，对使用者进行基于组织机构代码、身份证件号码、移动电话号码等真实身份信息认证。使用者不提供真实身份信息的，不得为其提供信息发布服务。
 
互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者应当建立互联网用户公众账号信息服务使用者信用等级管理体系，根据信用等级提供相应服务。
 
第七条 互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者应当对使用者的账号信息、服务资质、服务范围等信息进行审核，分类加注标识，并向所在地省、自治区、直辖市互联网信息办公室分类备案。
 
互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者应当根据用户公众账号的注册主体、发布内容、账号订阅数、文章阅读量等建立数据库，对互联网用户公众账号实行分级分类管理，制定具体管理制度并向国家或省、自治区、直辖市互联网信息办公室备案。
 
互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者应当对同一主体在同一平台注册公众账号的数量合理设定上限；对同一主体在同一平台注册多个账号，或以集团、公司、联盟等形式运营多个账号的使用者，应要求其提供注册主体、业务范围、账号清单等基本信息，并向所在地省、自治区、直辖市互联网信息办公室备案。
 
第八条 依法取得互联网新闻信息采编发布资质的互联网新闻信息服务提供者，可以通过开设的用户公众账号采编发布新闻信息。
 
第九条 互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者应当采取必要措施保护使用者个人信息安全，不得泄露、篡改、毁损，不得非法出售或者非法向他人提供。
 
互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者在使用者终止使用服务后，应当为其提供注销账号的服务。
 
第十条 互联网用户公众账号信息服务使用者应当履行信息发布和运营安全管理责任，遵守新闻信息管理、知识产权保护、网络安全保护等法律法规和国家有关规定，维护网络传播秩序。
 
第十一条 互联网用户公众账号信息服务使用者不得通过公众账号发布法律法规和国家有关规定禁止的信息内容。
 
互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者应加强对本平台公众账号的监测管理，发现有发布、传播违法信息的，应当立即采取消除等处置措施，防止传播扩散，保存有关记录，并向有关主管部门报告。

第十二条 互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者开发上线公众账号留言、跟帖、评论等互动功能，应当按有关规定进行安全评估。
 
互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者应当按照分级分类管理原则，对使用者开设的用户公众账号的留言、跟帖、评论等进行监督管理，并向使用者提供管理权限，为其对互动环节实施管理提供支持。
 
互联网用户公众账号信息服务使用者应当对用户公众账号留言、跟帖、评论等互动环节进行实时管理。对管理不力、出现法律法规和国家有关规定禁止的信息内容的，互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者应当依据用户协议限制或取消其留言、跟帖、评论等互动功能。
 
第十三条 互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者应当对违反法律法规、服务协议和平台公约的互联网用户公众账号，依法依约采取警示整改、限制功能、暂停更新、关闭账号等处置措施，保存有关记录，并向有关主管部门报告。
 
互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者应当建立黑名单管理制度，对违法违约情节严重的公众账号及注册主体纳入黑名单，视情采取关闭账号、禁止重新注册等措施，保存有关记录，并向有关主管部门报告。
 
第十四条 鼓励互联网行业组织指导推动互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者、使用者制定行业公约，加强行业自律，履行社会责任。
 
鼓励互联网行业组织建立多方参与的权威专业调解机制，协调解决行业纠纷。
 
第十五条 互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者和使用者应当接受社会公众、行业组织监督。
 
互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者应当设置便捷举报入口，健全投诉举报渠道，完善恶意举报甄别、举报受理反馈等机制，及时公正处理投诉举报。国家和地方互联网信息办公室依据职责，对举报受理落实情况进行监督检查。
 
第十六条 互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者和使用者应当配合有关主管部门依法进行的监督检查，并提供必要的技术支持和协助。
 
互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者应当记录互联网用户公众账号信息服务使用者发布内容和日志信息，并按规定留存不少于六个月。
 
第十七条 互联网用户公众账号信息服务提供者和使用者违反本规定的，由有关部门依照相关法律法规处理。
 
第十八条 本规定自2017年10月8日起施行。

CAC Announces Rules to Regulate the Content of News Headlines

On January 13, 2017, the Cyberspace Administration of China published a notice on its website entitled “CAC Deepens Its Rectification of the ‘Headline Party’ Problem” (国家网信办深入整治“标题党”问题). Some excerpts:

In order to further purify the online public opinion environment and to attack the chaos of altering headlines, distorting the original meaning of news and other behaviors of the "headline party," the CAC in coordination with relevant agencies recently launched a one month rectification campaign and imposed sanctions on five websites with outstanding problems: Sina, Sohu, Netease, Phoenix, and Focus, and formulated specific rules for Internet news headlines.
. . . .
In order to strengthen long-term controls over the "Headline Party" problem, the CAC formulated and promulgated the "(Interim) Rules on the Administration of Internet News Headline Norms" (hereinafter the "Rules") which clearly require all websites to maintain a correct public opinion orientation that runs through all aspects of Internet news collecting, drafting, editing, and publishing. When reporting on all kind of significant news, but especially news that touches upon important political current events and major public disturbances, they must ensure that the content of all headlines transmits a position, standpoint, and attitude with a correct orientation, scrupulously abide by journalistic ethics, and strictly prohibit malicious distorted headlines that stir up trouble or deliberately create public opinion "hotspots."
. . . .
It is strictly prohibited to use "Breaking Online," "Spreading Online," or other indeterminate vocabulary in headlines for compiled reports or to describe the essential elements of news. It is strictly prohibited to employ any "Headline Party" techniques such as using content that is exaggerated, outrageous, or unconventional.
. . . .
In order to make it convenient for Internet users to participate in overseeing and reporting, the China Internet Illegal Information Reporting Center has established an official website specifically for reporting websites with "Headline Party" problems (www.12377.cn), and at the same time has demanded that the six major commercial websites Sina, Sohu, Netease, Tencent, Baidu, and Phoenix establish clearly visible reporting links on their home pages and arrange for personnel to accept Internet user reports 24 hours a day. 

为进一步净化网络舆论环境，打击乱改标题、歪曲新闻原意等“标题党”行为，国家网信办联合相关部门日前开展了为期1个月的专项整治行动，依法处罚了新浪、搜狐、网易、凤凰、焦点等存在突出问题的5家网站，并对互联网新闻信息标题制作制定了专门规范。
. . . .
为了加强“标题党”问题的长效治理，国家网信办还制定印发了《互联网新闻信息标题规范管理规定（暂行）》（以下简称《规定》）,明确要求各网站把坚持正确舆论导向贯穿互联网新闻采集、撰写、编排、发布等各个环节。在报道各类新闻，尤其是涉及重大时政新闻和重大突发事件等重要信息时，要通过标题内容传达正确的立场、观点、态度，确保导向正确，恪守新闻伦理，严禁恶意篡改标题炒作或蓄意制造舆论“热点”。
. . . .
严禁在标题中使用“网曝”“网传”等不确定性词汇组织报道或者表述新闻基本要素。严禁各类夸张、猎奇、不合常理的内容表现手法等“标题党”行为。
. . . .
为了发动更多网民参与监督举报，国家网信办违法和不良信息举报中心还在官方网站建立了网站“标题党”问题举报专区（www.12377.cn)，同时要求新浪、搜狐、网易、腾讯、百度、凤凰等6家主要商业网站在其首页显著位置设置举报链接入口，安排专人24小时受理网民举报。

Explosion Kills 14, Sina Weibo Promotes State Media, Blocks User Posts

On October 26, 2016, the state sponsored China Daily published an article entitled “Death Toll From Explosion Rises to 14.” Some excerpts:

The death toll from a blast in a residential apartment block in Fugu county, Shaanxi province, on Monday has increased to 14, local authorities said. The local police said after a preliminary investigation that the cause of the accident was explosives.
. . . .
"Emergency rescue work has ended, as there have been no new reports of missing people from the blast," said Zhang Jiuping, director of Yulin city government's information office.
. . . .
Investigations showed that the five apartments that were completely destroyed in Monday's blast might have contained illegally stored explosives owned by a resident, surnamed Zhang, who is under police investigation.

These screenshots were taken on October 27, 2016, and show that Sina Weibo was completely censoring search results for “Fugu Big Explosion” (府谷 大爆炸) and “Yulin Big Explosion” (榆林 大爆炸).

These screenshots were taken on the same day and show that Sina Weibo users who searched for “Fugu Explosion” (府谷 爆炸) and “Yulin Explosion” (榆林 爆炸) were only being shown news articles from China’s state sponsored media outlets, but were not be shown any user generated content.

These screenshots were taken on the same day and show that when a Sina Weibo user clicked on “Show All Search Results” they were told that Sina Weibo cannot find any search results at all.

Baidu, Sina, News Websites Censor Discussion of Retired Soldiers' Protest in Beijing

On October 12, 2016, the state sponsored Global Times published an article entitled “China Vows to Address ‘Challenges Facing Veterans' After Protest.” Some excerpts:

China's military authorities on Wednesday pledged to continue addressing the difficulties facing some military veterans, after over 1,000 of them gathered outside a military building to protest their dismissal.

China's Ministry of National Defense confirmed the gathering with the Global Times in a statement sent by its Information Bureau on Wednesday, saying that in recent years some veterans have been facing personal and employment problems, and that they have appealed with letters and calls.

The statement said that the Communist Party of China, the State Council--China's Cabinet--and the Central Military Commission care about veterans and pay high attention to solving their problems.

. . . .

More than 1,000 protesters marched and chanted in front of China's defense ministry Tuesday, the latest apparent demonstration by soldiers as the world's largest standing military modernizes and downsizes. Two demonstrators told Associated Press that they were veterans who wanted the government to address military pensions.

"They protested because they don't have a job after serving a long period of time in the army, some for a dozen years," Liu Feiyue, editor of the website Minsheng Guancha, which monitors civil rights issues, was quoted as saying in the report.

The Global Times published a Chinese language version in its print edition, but there was no indication that the Global Times posted the Chinese language version on its website. These screenshots show that the article was being deleted from other websites where it had been reposted.

 The Chinese language version was entitled “Retired Soldiers’ Rights Defense Issues Should Be Objectively Assessed” (退伍军人维权问题应得到客观评估).  Besides the differing titles, other differences between the English and Chinese versions included:

• The English version said specified the location as "China's defense ministry." The Chinese version said it happened "in front of a military affairs leadership agency" (军事领导机关前);
• The English version said that "more than 1,000 protestors marched and chanted." The Chinese version said "several hundred retired soldiers gathered" (数百名退伍军人聚集).
• The English version said "Two demonstrators told Associated Press that they were veterans who wanted the government to address military pensions." The Chinese version said foreign media were unable to determine what the demonstrators' demands were (关于他们的诉求，和他们都是哪个年代退伍的，外媒说法不一).

These screenshots show that Sina Weibo began censoring searches for “Retired Soldiers Petition” (退伍军人上访) on October 12.

These screenshots show that on October 13 Baidu deleted a question from its Knowledge (Zhidao 知道) platform.

 

The question read: “Yesterday over 2,000 retired soldiers assembled in Beijing” (昨天北京聚集了2000多名退伍军人).

The answers were:

• “Haven’t heard of it” (没听说啊)
• “Never seen people in China march” (从没见过中国有人游行)
• “Its said the government deducted their medical expenses and other charges, many are former leaders” (说政府克扣他们的医疗费用还有其他什么费，好多还是以前领导的)

Original URL: http://zhidao.baidu.com/link?url=kqehCnXAHS_R3Difdoxiia_ymCB1i0neJvwoC-Wij-2WvnajK6QY4yf4zpkxjn7W4V-s0T4VxpQNMvQ9YvuxnarV26Y8KWpB6BgEWAepS7W

These screenshots were taken on October 13, and show that Baidu had banned users from establishing PostBar (贴吧 Tieba) forums on the subjects of “Retirees” (退伍) and “Soldiers” (军人).

Baidu and Sina Weibo Censor Search Results About Hong Kong Bookseller Lam Wing-kee

For additional background, see also: Baidu Begins Censoring "Gui Minhai" - Hong Kong Bookseller Detained in China 

Shortly after 3:00 am on June 17, 2016, the state sponsored Global Times published an editorial entitled "Causeway Bay Bookstore Boss' Retraction' Has Little Factual Content" (铜锣湾店长“翻供”的实质内容不多). Some excerpts:

Lin Rongji (Lam Wing-kee), one of the "disappeared" booksellers of Causeway Bay, held a press conference on the 16th after having returned to Hong Kong. He adopted a posture of "retracting his confession" and created a lot of waves in Hong Kong public opinion.

Lin Rongji related details of how he was detained last year on October 24 at Luowu, Shenzhen, and then transferred by train to a "holding place" in Ningbo. He asserted that Causeway Bay bookshop owner Li Bo (Lee Po ) had been subjected to a "cross-border rendition" and abducted from Hong Kong by mainland Chinese law enforcement officials. This differs from the account provided by Li Bo.

He also said that  his own "televised confession" was "scripted," and he had been forced to cooperate.

Lin said "Mainland China's central government is forcing the people of Hong Kong down a path with no escape," and "The people of Hong Kong must say 'no' to coercion." These two statements were widely quoted, and were thick with emotion.

香港铜锣湾书店“失踪”的店长林荣基本周返回香港后，于16日召开记者会，做出了一个有似“翻供”的姿态，在香港舆论中激起轩然大波。
　　
林荣基讲述了他去年10月24日经罗湖回深圳后被拘留，后坐火车转到宁波“监视居住”的细节。他断言铜锣湾书店李波是被内地执法人员“跨境执法”从香港捉拿带走的，这与李波本人的说法不同。他还说自己“电视认罪”时“有导演有台词”，自己被迫配合。
　　
林说“中央政府逼到香港人无路可退”，又说“港人向强权说不”，这两句话被广泛引用，情绪味很浓。

By noon on June 17 the editorial had been removed.

Screenshot showing the Global Times
editorial before it was deleted.

Original URL: opinion.huanqiu.com/editorial/2016-06/9050710.html

Later that evening the Global Times published another article about Lam, this time entitled “Shareholder Lee Bo Refutes What Causeway Bay Bookstore Boss Said in Press Conference” (股东李波反驳铜锣湾书店店长记者会说法).

These screenshots show that at the same time Sina Weibo stopped including users posts in search results for Lam’s name, instead only displaying the Global Times’ article refuting his claims.

That article was deleted the following day.

Screenshot showing the Global Times
article before it was deleted.

Original URL: http://china.huanqiu.com/article/2016-06/9054623.html

The screenshots below show that on June 17, Baidu began censoring web search results for "Lam Wing-kee" (林荣基). Although Baidu has stopped notifying users of its censorship, one can see that, prior to 2:30 pm on the 17th, a search for "Lam Wing-kee" returned tens of thousands of results, including results from news websites located outside of mainland China such as:

• Phoenix (HK)
• Tsingtao Daily (HK)
• Takungpao (HK)
• Tsingtao News Network (HK)

By 11:00 pm the same day, Baidu claimed it could find only 18 results, and they were all from websites operated by agencies of China's central government:

• Youth.cn (Communist Youth League)
• Xinhua (China’s Official News Agency)
• People’s Daily (Official Party Mouthpiece)
• China News Agency (China’s 2nd Largest State-Owned News Agency)
• China Daily (China’s Official English Language Newspaper)
• China.com.cn (Operated by China’s State Council Information Office)
• Taiwan.cn (Operated by the State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office)

These screenshots show that at the same time Baidu began censoring web search results, it also began claiming it could no longer find any Weibo related search results.

Former Party Official Censured for Sina Weibo Statements, Online Essay That "Severely Damaged the Party's Image"

On April 22, 2016, the state sponsored media outlet "The Paper" published an article entitled "Wenling Communist Party Official Censured by Party for Publishing and Reposting Erroneous Statements" (浙江温岭一党员公开发布、转载错误言论，被党内严重警告处分).  According to that report, Mu Yifei, a former official a Party School in Wenling, Zhejiang, had been censured by the Communist Party for violating Article 133(2) of the 2016 "Regulations on Chinese Communist Party Disciplinary Measures" and Article 46 of the 2003 "Regulations on Chinese Communist Party Disciplinary Measures" by publishing and reposting statements that were inconsistent with the Party orthodxy, thereby "severely damaging the Party's image."

On April 28, 2016, the China Youth Online website (sponsored by the Chinese Communist Party Youth League) published an article entitled "A 'Retired But Not Resigned' Official Gets Punished, Why Are Internet Users Protesting an Injustice?" (“休而不退”的公务员被处分，网民因何为其鸣不平？).

That article included images of Sina Weibo posts which it claimed showed Internet users criticizing Mu Yifei. In the example below from 2013,  Mu had reposted a comment by another user regarding a book on reform by Hu Deping - the son of Hu Yaobang and former vice chairman of All-China General Chamber of Industry & Commerce. The Weibo user said:

Is there anything in there about multi-party systems, constitutional governance, freedom of association, independent judiciaries, press freedom, or private publishing? I fear there is not a single sentence, nothing about opposition parties, as there’s only one party, and just the illusion of reform.

To which another Weibo user responds:

What is goal of multi-party systems, constitutional governance, freedom of association, independent judiciaries, press freedom, or private publishing? You are an instructor at a Party school, what do you think you're doing reposting this?

According to images of the Party Decision posted online:

On April 6, 2016, Mu Yifei published an article entitled "The Profound Regrets of Someone 'Retired But Not Resigned'" in the Information Times, a portion of which included erroneous content. It was reposted by many websites, and created a wave of discussion, causing a severely harmful influence.
2016年4月6日，慕毅飞在《信息时报》上发表题为《一个“休而不退”者内心深处的愧疚》的部分内容失实文章，并被多家网站转载，引发了舆论浪潮，造成了严重的不良影响。

 
Below is a full translation of that article, which has since been deleted from the Information Times website.

I've been thinking about writing this article for quite some time. Today I saw a news report from Hunan that made me take up pen. According to the report in the "Outlook" weekly recently in certain places in Hunan there have been some younger "officers" and "hands" whose main job is to provide reports to superiors calling for "public officials over 50 to step aside and enjoy better compensation than they do at their post" and voluntarily apply for "early retirement" and become "ex-officials" who are "retired but not resigned."

I happen to be one of these "ex-officials." I'm from Zhejiang, and in 2008 I took up the life of a "ex-official." Today I'm official retired. Even if I wanted to rectify my mistakes, I no longer have the opportunity, and I therefore can only write this guilt-stricken essay.

First, I feel shame for every penny of my not-insignificant salary. For a period of 8-9 years I did nothing. I collected my salary as usual, and enjoyed substantial benefits. And my salary was no small thing, along the lines of what an individual taxpayer earning over 120,000 yuan would get. Even though it wasn't like I didn't want to do anything, but my hands were tied by policies. But after all is said and done I was dining out on someone else's dime, and the salary I was getting was somewhat impractical.

Second, I feel shame for all the hardships endured by the workers. They work from dawn to dusk, doing the hard labor, and the money they struggle to earn - why should that be going to feed those like us who have jobs but do no work? Are they perfectly content to go on feeding and clothing us like this? Has anyone bothered to seek out their views on this? If we feel no shame before them, then that itself is something to be ashamed of.

Third, I feel shame of those labored 9-5 under me. Those who qualify for "early retirement" are inevitably those who fulfilled unimportant posts. To put it another way, if after you've retired the post can be left, only then do you qualify for "early retirement." Those subordinates of a similar age to me who do not qualify for "early retirement" have no option but to keep clocking in. When things get tense they they have no choice but pop a pill and work overtime. It is hard not to feel somewhat ashamed as I sit back and watch their busy lives.

Everyone knows that workers are best when they are in their 50s, when their experience is high, their energy is strong, and their worries are few. Furthermore, someone who gets by at an unimportant lower level post will usually have some skills. There can be no doubt that it is a waste to allow such people to get a substantial salary while sitting at unemployed. I see my colleagues everywhere raising birds and walking dogs, others sit around every day watching TV, other are fond of playing online games. Those who don't create problems for others and aren't corrupt are already considered outstanding. So who cares if they feel like a candle that's been snuffed out before its burned halfway down?

How many such unemployed people are there around the country? How many financial resources are being used to keep them feed and clothed? An accounting is due. If this is being done to foster new cadres, vacating space for them to occupy, then I have to ask, what's the point of fostering so many new cadres if your not utilizing the cadres you've already fostered? So many highly experienced public officials in the prime of their lives are being set aside, so what is the point of bringing in so many new officials every year? If the only purpose is to solve the employment issue, then is the cost-to-benefit ration for this approach too low? Relevant laws and regulations restrict early retire to those with at least 30 years of work experience, but some localities have taken it on themselves to lower it from 30 to 20. Should that not be suspected of violating the law?

I have been tardy in writing this essay before, mainly because I feared people would say I was reluctant to leave my post, even one so unimportant. Now I am fully retired, so I have no fear of what others may say behind my back. I feel that I must get this long-buried shame off my chest, and in the unlikely event that it offends someone, there is nothing I can do about that.

早就想写这篇文章了。今天看到一则来自湖南的新闻，让我有了动笔的冲动。据《瞭望》周刊报道，在湖南一些地方，近期有些年龄并不算大的“局办委”或乡镇“一把手”、重要班子成员向上级打报告，要求按照地方“公务员50岁以上退居二线，可享受比在职时更高待遇”的政策，自请“早退”，成为“休而不退”的“散吏”。

  我就是这样的一个“散吏”。我来自浙江，从2008年开始“散吏”生涯，现在已经正式退休。我即使想纠错，现在也没机会了，因而只能写写愧疚文章。

  一是，愧对分文不少的薪资。八九年的时间里，什么都不干，照样拿工资，照样享受一点不少的福利待遇；而且工资不算低，属于年薪超过12万元的自行申报个税者。虽然并不是我自己不想干，而是政策不让干，但我吃的毕竟是白食，工资拿得实在有点不踏实。

二是，愧对含辛茹苦的劳动者。他们起早贪黑，辛苦劳作，他们辛苦挣来的钱，凭什么要养活我们这样的尸位素餐者？用这样的方式养我们，他们心甘情愿吗？有什么人征求过他们意见吗？如果对他们没有愧疚感，我觉得正是极需愧疚的地方。

三是，愧对朝九晚五的下属们。有资格“早退”的，必然是当过一官半职的人。换句话说，你退了以后，可以空出一个官位，你才有资格“早退”。那些跟我年龄相仿的没资格“早退”的下属们，则只能照常按时签到，一旦紧张起来，还得照样“白加黑”、“五加二”。悠闲地看着他们忙碌的身影，我难免会有些愧意。

谁都知道，在工作岗位上，50岁是最佳年龄，经验最足，精力最强，牵挂最少；而且，能在基层混个一官半职的人，通常会有一定的能耐。让这样的人，拿着不低的薪资，赋闲在家，无疑是极大的浪费。看看我的同僚们，有四处架鸟遛狗的，有每天看电视剧的，有热衷玩网络游戏的……他们不给组织添麻烦，不利用余热牟私利，已经很优秀了，谁在乎他们像蜡烛烧了一半被硬生生掐灭的感觉呢？

全国各地有多少这样赋闲的人？需要用多少财政收入来养活他们？这个账应该算。如果说是为了培养新干部，需要腾出位子给他们，那么试问，培养好了的干部都不用，干嘛又培养那么多新干部？有那么多经验丰富、年富力强的公务员闲置不用，何须每年再进那么多新的公务员？如果仅仅为了解决就业，这样的解决办法，性价比是不是太低？有关法规限定工作期满30年才能提前退休，有些地方擅自将30年改作20年，是否涉嫌违法？

以前迟迟没写这篇文章，主要还是怕人说我恋栈，舍不得那一官半职，现在已经彻底退休了，也就不怕别人背后议论了。我有愧埋藏在内心深处多年，不吐不快，万一得罪了谁，也顾不得了。

These screenshots show that article originally appeared on page A26 of the April 6 edition, but that entire page was subsequently removed from the Information Times' website.

State Media Reports on "Panama Papers," Baidu and Sina Weibo Censor "Panama Papers"

On April 5, 2016, the state sponsored Shanghai Daily published an article entitled “Papers Reveal ‘Never-Before-Seen View Inside the Offshore World’.” Some excerpts:

The release of a vast trove of documents and data on offshore financial dealings of wealthy, famous and powerful people around the world is raising questions over the widespread use of such tactics to avoid taxes and skirt financial oversight.

Reports by an international coalition of media outlets on an investigation with the Washington-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) brought to light details of offshore assets and services of politicians, businesses and celebrities, based on a cache of 11.5 million records.

Among the countries with past or present political figures named in the reports are Iceland, Ukraine, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Argentina.
. . . .
While the “Panama Papers” detail complex financial arrangements that benefit the world’s elite, they do not necessarily mean the schemes were all illegal.

These screenshots show that the article was deleted within hours.

Original URL:  http://www.shanghaidaily.com/world/Papers-reveal-neverbeforeseen-view-inside-the-offshore-world/shdaily.shtml

These screenshots were taken on the evening of April 4, and show that Sina Weibo was censoring search results for “Panama” and “Deng Jiagui.”

Also on April 5, the state sponsored Global Times published an article entitled “Powerful Force is Behind Panama Papers” (in Chinese “偷或编'巴拿马文件'者绝非等闲之辈” - “Those Who Stole and Published the Panama Papers are Certainly Just Average People”). Some excerpts from the English version:

The Western media has taken control of the interpretation each time there has been such a document dump, and Washington has demonstrated particular influence in it. Information that is negative to the US can always be minimized, while exposure of non-Western leaders, such as Putin, can get extra spin.

In the Internet era, disinformation poses no major risks to Western influential elites or the West. In the long-run, it will become a new means for the ideology-allied Western nations to strike a blow to non-Western political elites and key organizations.

The online disinformation makes public opinion precise strikes possible for the West, which always "digs out" materials from the so-called confidential information. Despite different interests, Western countries are close allies in ideology. This is perhaps the basis for the concept of the "West." Public opinion of different Western countries is quite uniform.

Unlike the English version, the Chinese language version appeared only in the Global Times’ print edition, and was not published online by the Global Times. 

Other news outlets in China published the Global Times' Chinese language article online, but as these screenshots show, it was quickly removed.

 These screenshots show that on April 4 Baidu was censoring search results for “Panama Papers” in English and Chinese. By April 5 Baidu was no longer showing any search results for those terms.

Government Shuts Down Wechat Account for Six Days for Misleading Headline

On January 7, 2016, China’s official news agency Xinhua reported that the Xinjiang branch of the Cyber Administration of China shut down a public Wechat (Weixin 微信) account for six days because of what it termed a “malicious headline.”

According to the report, the offending headline read “Major Accident Outside of Urumqi - 22 Dead, 5 Wounded” (乌市南郊出大事了——２２死５伤). 

The actual content of the article was “A major traffic accident occurred outside of Urumqi, 22 sheep were killed and 5 sheep were injured” (乌市南郊发生交通事故，致２２只羊死亡，５只羊受伤).

According to the government, this discrepancy was a violation of the “Interim Rules on the Development and Administration of Instant Messaging Tools and Public Information Services” (即时通信工具公众信息服务发展管理暂行规定).

Misreporting traffic accident fatalities is a jailable offense in China. For example, according to a report in the state sponsored Southern Metropolis Daily, in August 2013, the Wudangshan public security bureau subjected a Mr. Xue to five days administrative detention because he had published posts with "rumors," claiming seven people had died in a car accident, when in fact only three people had died.

Censorship of Wanda Chairman Wang Jianlin's Harvard Lecture

On October 30, 2015, China's Wanda Group published a notice on its website entitled "Wang Jianlin gives an open lecture at Harvard Business School." An excerpt:

Wanda Group Chairman Wang Jianlin was invited by Harvard University as the first Chinese entrepreneur ever, to give an open lecture to students on “Wanda’s Globalization Strategy”. Over 900 students packed Harvard Business School’s Burden Hall to full capacity, while another 800 students had to resort to waiting outside. A student at the event commented on the amazing attendance and was surprised that a Chinese entrepreneur’s were attracting such an avid interest.
. . . .
After the lecture, Mr. Wang engaged in an open Q&A session with students, calmly handling questions on issues ranging from Wanda's political ties, strategic objectives behind its investment overseas, his outlook on China's slowing economic growth, the US presidential elections and Sino-US relations, as well as China's One Child Policy and resistance to Wanda's real estate project in Spain.

On October 30, 2015, the state sponsored Caixin Magazine published an article on its website entitled "Wang Jianlin Responds to Wanda Shareholder Controversy" (王健林回应万达股权争议). An  excerpt:

While giving a speech in the "Harvard Open Classroom" on October 29, 2015 local time, Wanda Group Chairman Wang Jianlin gave a formal response to a previous report in the New York Times regarding issues with Wanda shareholders. Wang Jianlin said that Qi Qiaoqiao and a company whose shares were controled by members of Deng Xiaoping's family had invested in Wanda business and real estate, and had transfered everything prior to the latter's stock market listing.

当地时间2015年10月29日，万达集团董事长王健林在“哈佛公开课”上发表演讲时，对此前《纽约时报》报道提及的万达股权问题作了正面回应。王健林说，齐桥桥和邓家贵夫妇控股的公司曾投资万达商业地产，并在后者上市前全部转让。

The article, which originally appeared at this URL - http://companies.caixin.com/2015-10-30/100868095.html - was deleted within hours. These screenshots show that shortly thereafter Baidu began censoring search results for "Wang Jianlin Responds to Wanda Shareholder Controversy" (王健林回应万达股权争议).

The Wanda website published an English language transcript of Wang's speech. According to the transcript, Wang began by telling the audience:

Harvard is a well-known university for its freedom of academics and thought. So there are no limits when it comes to the Q&A section, feel free to raise any question. 

The original version of that transcript published on October 31, 2015 included the following text (emphasis added):

Shih: So I’m going to ask another question which maybe a little bit controversial. You can decide whether you want to answer it. But I have a New York Times article from April 28, 2015, they suggest the reason behind Wanda’s rapid growth, as we herd earlier, you’re certainly growing very rapidly. But the New York Times suggests that the rapid growth relies on the company’s political affiliations. They even state that President Xi Jinping, and other leaders’ are relatives of President Xi Jinping, and other leaders are Wanda’s shareholders. Do you care to comment on that?

Wang:  Professor Shih, I can see you have an honest face, but I didn’t know you were so relentless. But you have asked, so I will answer you in front of your students. Firstly, Wanda has no political affiliation. In August 2009, our commercial properties subsidiary had initiated a round of private placement and appointed China Galaxy Securities and CICC, China’s largest at the time, to oversee its execution. we set a relatively high price at RMB13 per share. We successfully raised RMB4 billion, breaking the record for the most capital raised by a Chinese private company at the time. Chairman Xi’s brother-in law, Mr Deng Jia Gui’s investment company, Qin Chuan Dadi, participated in the private placement at the same subscribed price level as other investment companies, such as the investment company of China Construction Bank and China Fan Hai Development. Just two months before the listing, Mr Deng sold all the shares held by his investment company and fully exited at a low price point, and I’d like to state at this point that Mr Deng was never a shareholder of our listed company. After six years of investment, he sacrificed the opportunity to realize a huge return in investment. This incident demonstrates that President Xi is not only strict in managing our country but is even more scrupulous when it comes to family affairs.

We owe our rapid growth to our core competence of innovative business model and effective management practices. We pride ourselves on our unparalleled, industry-leading execution capabilities, and it is not easy to find another organization such as Wanda that is capable of completing the construction of commercial centers and hotels in such a consistent and punctual fashion. Some of you may not be familiar with cases studies relating to China, so I will give you an example in the US: AMC. After years of recorded losses we turned it around to make a profit in its first year post-acquisition, and got it listed on the NYSE in the second year with substantial returns to shareholders. This goes to show that the success of our rapid development rests squarely on the shoulders of our core competencies.

These screenshots below show the transcript as it originally published (via Google Cache) and how it appeared several days later.

A Chinese language version of the complete transcript of Wang Jianlin's talk was published on the website of the state sponsored Nanfang Group on October 31, 2015, under the title "A Record of Wang Jianlin's Harvard Open Class Speech" (王健林哈佛公开课演讲实录). Here is an excerpt of the Chinese language version of the text excerpted from the Wanda transcript above:

提问：现在我要问一个有争议的问题了，您可以决定是否回答。我看过一篇《纽约时报》的报道，是去年4月28日发表的。说万达之所以发展快，关键是有背景，包括习近平等领导的亲属都是你们万达上市公司股东，请问是否确有此事？

王健林：施老师我看您面相挺老实的，没想到问问题还挺狠，不过既然这么问了，那当着学生的面我也回答。第一、万达没有背景。我来说说事情的真相，2009年7、8月，万达集团旗下的万达商业地产为了解决资金问题，搞了一轮股权私募，委托中国最大的银河证券和中金证券两家券商替我们寻找投资人，前前后后谈了七、八十家公司，最后有十几家公司入股，其中就包括习主席的姐夫邓先生的秦川大地公司，他和建银国际、中国泛海、巨人集团等十几家公司同样价格进来，所以购买价格是市场化的。2009年入股后，由于中国政府政策限制的原因，万达商业地产公司迟迟没有上市，一直到2014年12月份才在香港挂牌上市。但就在上市前两个月，邓先生把他的股份以比较低的价格转让了，其实他是牺牲了巨大利益。正常价格购买、又是正常公开上市，能够获得巨大利益而放弃，我想他应该是受到了某种影响或者压力，这件事恰恰证明了不是腐败，恰恰证明了习总书记治国严治家更严的风格。

第二、万达的快速发展主要靠自己的核心竞争能力。万达在中国赫赫有名的两点，一是商业模式，每每都是创新的；第二是执行力强。举一个例子，我们每年开业几十个万达广场和一、二十家酒店，所有项目开工时就宣布开业时间。十多年下来，我们开业了一百多个广场，近百家酒店，一个项目建设时间都在两年内，全部按时完成，无一延误。这种执行能力我敢说世界上没有第二家企业能做到。如果说我举中国的例子，可能老美还不太服气的话，那我再举一个美国人的例子，就是刚才反复提到的AMC公司。在我买它之前，它的股东都是赫赫有名的企业，比如黑石、凯雷、摩根斯坦利等等，但是连年亏损，我收购过来当年就实现盈利，第二年就上市，现在我的收益已经翻了好几倍。这完全是市场化操作，足以证明万达的管理能力和企业操作水平。所以万达高速发展靠的是核心竞争能力，不是靠什么背景、政商关系。

These screenshots show that the article, originally available at this URL - http://economy.southcn.com/e/2015-10/31/content_135972291.htm - was subsequently deleted.

These screenshots show that around the same time Sina Weibo began censoring search results for "Wang Jianlin Harvard Speech" (王健林 哈佛演讲).

For additional background of China’s censorship of information relating to the Wanda holdings of relatives of China’s leaders, see Baidu and Sina Censor Information About Wanda Chairman Wang Jianlin

Southern Group’s Expression of Support for Journalist Liu Wei Deleted, Baidu Censors "Southern Metropolitan Reporter Liu Wei"

On October 16, 2015, the state sponsored Beijing News published an article entitled "Southern Metropolitan Daily Responds to Criminal Detention of Journalist Liu Wei on Suspicion of Illegally Obtaining State Secrets" (南都回应记者刘伟涉非法获取国家秘密罪被刑拘). Some excerpts:

This afternoon (October 16), Beijing News reporters (Weixin ID: bjnews_xjb) received information that Liu Wei, deputy editor of investigative reporting at the Southern Metropolitan Daily, had been held under criminal detention by Jiangxi police for eight days. According to people close to Liu Wei, at around 8:00 in the evening on October 8, Liu Wei left his home in Chengdu to head to the airport to fly to Beijing. After 10:00 pm that evening, contact with Liu Wei was lost.
. . . .
Beginning in 2013, Liu Wei began reporting on the Wang Lin affair. On October 23 of that year, the Southern Metropolitan Investigative Weekly published a four page report on the affair. Liu Wei was named the Southern Publishing's Group's Journalist of the Year in 2014.
. . . .
At 10:00 pm this evening, this reporter called Southern Metropolitan Publishing, which said the following:

1. Liu Wei is a senior investigative reporter with this news organization, and was assigned by us to investigate and report on news relating to the case of Wang Lin's suspected criminal activity. All of his interviews, reporting, and researching into Wang Lin's case was done entirely in his professional capacity in the execution of work related responsibilities. This news organization has provided a formal response to the Jiangxi police on October 9.

2. This news organization was deeply shocked and surprised that Liu Wei would be faced with deprivation of his liberty for carrying out his professional responsibilities. We immediately undertook emergency measures and got to work assisting Liu Wei's family to retain defense counsel in order to safeguard the legal interests owed to a journalist.

3. This news organization has already reported the situation to the relevant agencies, and have assigned people to accompany family members and legal counsel to Pingxiang, Jiangxi. On October 13, legal counsel wen to the jail to speak with Liu Wei. On October 14, family and legal counsel twice submitted applications for bail, but were denied by police both times.

4. This news organization will be following developments in this case closely, and will actively cooperate with the investigations by relevant agencies. We hope that the police will handle the case in accordance with the law, and will make information about the case public in a timely manner in accordance with the law.

今日(10月16日)下午，新京报(微信ID：bjnews_xjb)记者获悉，南方都市报深度报道部副主编刘伟已被江西警方刑拘8天。据刘伟的身边人透露，10月8日晚8时许，刘伟从成都家中离开，赶赴机场，要从成都飞往北京。但晚上10时后，刘伟失联。
. . . .
从2013年开始，刘伟介入王林事件报道。当年10月23日，南都深度周刊对此事件进行了4个整版报道。刘伟获2014年南方报业年度记者。
. . . .
今晚22时，记者致电南方都市报社，其报社回应称：
　　
一、刘伟系本报深度新闻部记者，受单位委派，调查采访王林涉嫌刑事责任案件的相关新闻，其对王林案的采访、报道、持续关注等，均属履行工作职责的职务行为，本报10月9日已向江西警方正式反馈;
　　
二、刘伟因履行职务而陷入丧失人身自由的困境，本报深感震惊和意外，立即启动应急程序，紧急展开相关工作，帮助刘伟家属聘请辩护律师，维护记者正当的合法权益;
　　
三、本报已向上级和有关部门及时通报相关情况，并派员陪同家属和律师赴江西萍乡等地，10月13日律师到看守所会见刘伟;10日和14日，家属、律师先后两次递交取保候审申请，均被警方拒绝;
　　
四、本报高度关注事件后续进展，积极配合有关部门的调查，希望警方依法办案，及时依法公开案件信息。

These screenshots show that the report was deleted the day after it was published.

This screeenshot was taken on October 19, and shows that Baidu was censoring search results for "Southern Metropolitan Reporter Liu Wei" (南都记者刘伟).

China's Search Engines Censor "Stock Disaster"

UPDATE August 25, 10:30 am: It appears Baidu has stopped displaying a censorship notice. See below for details.

On August 25, 2015, the state sponsored Global Times published an editorial entitled “Morale Needed as Pessimism Roils Market.” Some excerpts:

Chinese stock markets saw their biggest daily fall since 2007 Monday, with the Shanghai Composite Index dropping 8.49 percent, while the ChiNext Index plunged 8.08 percent. Other Asian markets experienced a dramatic fall along with them. US stock markets also plunged to daily limit in early Monday following the big drop in Chinese stocks. Some have therefore dubbed the day "Black Monday."

There seems to be only one reason for the tumble - investors lack confidence in China's economic outlook.
. . . .
There is no need to worry because of pessimistic voices from the outside world. China's economy is in a bitter period of structural adjustments. We should become inured to face all sorts of problems with grace. This temporary lack of confidence will not snowball to become destructive. 

These screenshots were taken in the morning of August 25, 2015 (Beijing time), and show that all of China's major search engines - Baidu, Qihoo, and Sogou - were censoring searches for "Stock Disaster" (股灾).

UPDATE August 25, 10:30 am: These screenshots were taken around 10:15 am on August 25 (Beijing time) and show that apparently Baidu was no longer displaying a censorship notice when users search for "Stock Disaster." Although Baidu is also telling users it is not able to find as many search results as when it was displaying the censorship notice.

These screenshots show the change in search results for "Stock Disaster" restricted to Sina's Blog domain.