Public Opinion is Too Powerful! Has the CCP lifted the Ban on Yu Menglong

Tian Hairong, the widow of Bo Xilai's 'white glove' Xu Ming, held a promotional event for her new film, during which a projection appeared in the background that closely resembled the image of Yu Menglong. (Internet image)

[People News] Following Yu Menglong's death, the CCP has enforced strict control over public discourse, banning even words related to 'fish' from appearing on Chinese internet platforms. However, recent observations by Chinese netizens indicate that this restriction has been lifted.

Since Yu Menglong's passing, the narrative surrounding his sacrifice has persisted. Netizens both in China and abroad have been actively seeking the truth and identifying the perpetrator, exerting considerable pressure on the CCP authorities. Consistent with its usual approach, the CCP has imposed stringent public opinion controls on the name 'Yu Menglong', resulting in the deletion of accounts advocating for him, and platforms such as Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and Weibo facing bans and traffic limitations. Posts and comments related to Yu Menglong have been automatically removed, and even the character for 'fish' in 'selling fish' has been designated as a banned word.

Recently, however, Chinese netizens have discovered that the account for Yu Menglong has re-emerged, allowing users to finally type 'Yu Menglong' on Douyin. They can also share images and videos of him, and the comment section has been opened for discussions about Yu Menglong.

This development has sparked speculation, with many believing that it is a result of the public's unwavering support for Yu Menglong, which has placed significant pressure on the CCP, prompting a relaxation of restrictions. Some netizens suggest that it is more likely a consequence of internal power struggles within the higher echelons of the party.

Some netizens expressed their joy, stating, 'Everyone, keep it up! Let's continue to speak out for Yu Menglong! May the murderer face retribution soon!

While some celebrate, others are concerned that this might be a 'fishing' tactic by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), allowing some leeway before making arrests. One netizen commented, 'Is the current behaviour on Douyin and Weibo a precursor to a series of arrests? I don't use Chinese social media at all because it feels very unsafe and dangerous,' adding, 'Who knows if this is a fishing operation?' and 'My account was permanently banned for supporting him, but I have no regrets.'

Simultaneously, Douyin has surprisingly allowed discussions about the June Fourth incident and anti-Xi sentiments, with Zhao Ziyang's name surfacing on Chinese online platforms. Regardless of whether this is a fishing tactic or a result of internal power struggles within the CCP, for many netizens, even a slight easing of surveillance provides a brief opportunity to breathe in some fresh air. Perhaps an unprecedented wave of public opinion is sweeping through the mainland, significantly challenging the CCP's fragile hold on power. △