Under the “Red Filter,” Xi Jinping’s True Face Revealed: Says One Thing, Does Another

March 10, 2025, Beijing Great Hall of the People—A security guard stands at the entrance before the closing ceremony of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. (WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images)

[People News] On October 3, the Red Filter special exhibition opened at the 228 National Memorial Museum in Taiwan. Through six thematic sections, the exhibition takes a deep look at how the Chinese Communist regime constructs its image, exercises power, and exerts influence abroad. The interactive twist: visitors can hold up a pair of “red filters” to see the words that CCP leader Xi Jinping “didn’t say.” With the filters removed, Xi’s hypocrisy is laid bare.

According to Radio Taiwan International, the exhibition is jointly organised by the Taiwan Association of University Professors, the Taiwan Youth Intergenerational Exchange Association, Radio Taiwan International, Soochow University’s Fu Cheng Centre for Democracy Studies, and the 228 Memorial Foundation.

The Red Filter exhibition aims to help visitors discover the reality of China. It is divided into six zones, such as “Who Defines China?” “Who Controls China?” and “When Terms Have No Limits.” Visitors are given a brochure with two red filter films attached. What they see with or without the filters differs dramatically.

For example, in the zone about CCP leaders: through the filter, one can see Xi Jinping declaring, “The Chinese Communist Party is a party that seeks happiness for the Chinese people, and also strives for the progress of humankind.” But once the filter is removed, red characters appear beneath the panel, exposing what Xi left unsaid: “Hong Kong National Security Law,” “35-death quota,” “long-arm jurisdiction,” “lockdowns,” and more.

Recently, the hottest news across mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong has been the suspicious death of actor Yu Menglong. Despite overwhelming doubts and public outrage, the authorities hastily closed the case, declaring there was no criminal liability.

Yu Menglong once commented that Xi, referred to mockingly as the “village chief,” constantly says, “When the youth prosper, the country prospers; when the youth are strong, the nation is strong.” Yet the unexplained death of an outstanding young talent like Yu exposes the emptiness of such slogans. From the facts of Yu Menglong’s case, Xi’s propaganda appears utterly unreliable.

Chief planner Guo Meicen noted that much of the exhibition was curated by young people. By designing the physical “red filter,” they sought to highlight what the CCP tries to conceal.

The exhibition also recalls the words of Chinese human rights activist Hu Jia. After democracy activist Qi Zhiyong passed away last year, an RTI reporter tried to reach Hu Jia in China to record a memorial feature. Because Hu’s phone was under constant surveillance, he could not hear the caller’s voice. But seeing repeated calls from the same number, Hu said: “I don’t know who you are, but since you haven’t hung up, I think you want to hear what I have to say.” He then spoke alone for 15 minutes, sorrowfully describing his inability to attend Qi Zhiyong’s funeral, while also addressing the dire state of human rights in China.

RTI chairwoman Lai Xiuru said that hearing Hu’s voice from last year in the exhibition was deeply moving. She stressed that Hu knew speaking out would only endanger him further, yet he still chose to do so—because he understood that repeated calls meant that people outside China had not abandoned their concern.

Lai emphasised that Taiwan must clearly recognise the nature of the CCP.

Chen Lifu, president of the Taiwan Youth Intergenerational Exchange Association and former head of the Taiwan Association of University Professors, highlighted that since the Sunflower Student Movement, young people in Taiwan have realised that the CCP poses not only a military threat but also seeks to destroy Taiwan’s democracy. Truly understanding the CCP, he said, is key to safeguarding freedom and truth.

Lan Shibo, executive director of the 228 Memorial Foundation, added that since 1945, CCP intelligence units have infiltrated Taiwan, shaping how Taiwanese perceive China—presenting only a beautified, filtered version of its image. Breaking this illusion, he argued, begins with confronting the CCP’s true nature. The Red Filter exhibition, through the perspective of youth, sharply exposes China’s reality and offers a rare opportunity for visitors to understand it.

The Red Filter exhibition runs until October 30 at the 228 National Memorial Museum on Nanhai Road, Taipei. It also features a book section, showcasing 102 China studies titles recommended by scholars and experts to help visitors continue learning about China.

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