Communist China is famous for its propaganda. Despite efforts to keep many messages from the party a "domestic matter", it's always worth it to find out what these posters say. Some feature unintentionally funny messages and almost all boost poorly photoshopped images, a staple of Chinese propaganda since Windows 95. Images of the propaganda currently displayed in Beijing's public places is usually hard to come by on the internet, so I decided to take it upon myself to enlighten the world and dispel those nasty rumors spread by western media. Visitors usually don't break out the selfie stick for something they can't read, so I did it for you. Also western media outlets don't want to be locked out of the valuable Chinese market for pointing out some propagandist's efforts at passing off a poorly rendered, photoshopped version of Chicago as a model Chinese city. Enjoy these bits and pieces of the party's collective hive mind. Note: I once saw a propaganda poster with the White House on it in Tangshan, Hebei, but I was unable to snap a photo of it. I'll keep my eyes peeled.
This poster has appeared all over Beijing in the last few months. The writing says, "Promote ideological and moral construction for the children, create a healthy environment for the growth of children." The poster features many common themes in Chinese government propaganda including children laughing, greenery, and skyscrapers (both foreign and domestic).
This one says, "Maintain long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macau， Work together to promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations." Messages like this began appearing during the Hong Kong democracy protests last year. The reason this poster made it on this blog is because the photo is of mid-town Manhattan and not Hong Kong or Macau. If you look closely you can see the Chrysler Building and the Bank of America Tower.
Though I don't know for certain, I think this piece of propaganda from the Beijing Subway might be left over from the Beijing Olympics. Though this photo doesn't show it, the poster is extremely faded. It says, "Civilization forging industry brand，construct humanistic subway." No one said that these posters would translate well.
The ubiquitous, "Chinese Dream, Subway Dream," poster can be seen everywhere in Beijing. No one quite knows exactly what the Chinese Dream is, but I imagine its best dreamt during your 1:30 post lunch nap.
Sometimes the television screens in the Beijing Subway manfunction, and when this happens they display images from Windows XP. Not exactly propaganda, but it seems the Beijing Subway should ask the Microsoft paperclip for help.
I wasn't able to get this one translated, but it features the Sihui Bus Station. I couldn't resist the opportunity to take a picture of propaganda featuring a building while I was inside of the building.
Loyal readers of this blog might notice these buildings from "The Beijing Mysteries" series.
This poster is from the Sihui bus station in Beijing. Originally meant to be completed before the Beijing Olympics, the 40 story towers from the building in the posters stand topped out in central Beijing but have remained in development hell since 2008.
"Beijing spiritual practice , creating a hub success" The hub is a reference to the Dongzhimen
transport hub underneath the complex.
This poster from a bus stop is notable for its inclusion of the Seoul Tower from Seoul South Korea.
The poster says"Everywhere be safe"
This poster is from the backside of China Unicom's world headquarters on Chang'An. China Unicom is one of the "Big 3" Chinese state owned telecom companies. It features a poorly produced collage of buildings from around the world. "The leading digital media in Beijing"
This poster demonstrates the downside of using stock photos from the internet. Notice the World Trade Centers in the collage.
This one also features a much larger picture of New York city. The messages were placed next to two images, one of Macau and one of mid-town Manhattan. I assume they thought no one would notice, especially considering the poster of New York is in the middle of the display. The writing says, "Celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of People's Republic of China"
The poster with this egg woman says "Chinese Dream MyDream" This poster is just one of many in a series featuring the "Chinese Dream" motif and porcelain figures.
The last propaganda poster of the post features the phrase, "Warm all the way , all the way clean, safe journey home." I don't know what it means either, but enjoy the photo of the countryside.
This poster has appeared all over Beijing in the last few months. The writing says, "Promote ideological and moral construction for the children, create a healthy environment for the growth of children." The poster features many common themes in Chinese government propaganda including children laughing, greenery, and skyscrapers (both foreign and domestic).
This one says, "Maintain long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macau， Work together to promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations." Messages like this began appearing during the Hong Kong democracy protests last year. The reason this poster made it on this blog is because the photo is of mid-town Manhattan and not Hong Kong or Macau. If you look closely you can see the Chrysler Building and the Bank of America Tower.
Though I don't know for certain, I think this piece of propaganda from the Beijing Subway might be left over from the Beijing Olympics. Though this photo doesn't show it, the poster is extremely faded. It says, "Civilization forging industry brand，construct humanistic subway." No one said that these posters would translate well.
The ubiquitous, "Chinese Dream, Subway Dream," poster can be seen everywhere in Beijing. No one quite knows exactly what the Chinese Dream is, but I imagine its best dreamt during your 1:30 post lunch nap.
Sometimes the television screens in the Beijing Subway manfunction, and when this happens they display images from Windows XP. Not exactly propaganda, but it seems the Beijing Subway should ask the Microsoft paperclip for help.
I wasn't able to get this one translated, but it features the Sihui Bus Station. I couldn't resist the opportunity to take a picture of propaganda featuring a building while I was inside of the building.
Loyal readers of this blog might notice these buildings from "The Beijing Mysteries" series.
This poster is from the Sihui bus station in Beijing. Originally meant to be completed before the Beijing Olympics, the 40 story towers from the building in the posters stand topped out in central Beijing but have remained in development hell since 2008.
"Beijing spiritual practice , creating a hub success" The hub is a reference to the Dongzhimen
transport hub underneath the complex.
This poster from a bus stop is notable for its inclusion of the Seoul Tower from Seoul South Korea.
The poster says"Everywhere be safe"
This poster is from the backside of China Unicom's world headquarters on Chang'An. China Unicom is one of the "Big 3" Chinese state owned telecom companies. It features a poorly produced collage of buildings from around the world. "The leading digital media in Beijing"
This poster demonstrates the downside of using stock photos from the internet. Notice the World Trade Centers in the collage.
This one also features a much larger picture of New York city. The messages were placed next to two images, one of Macau and one of mid-town Manhattan. I assume they thought no one would notice, especially considering the poster of New York is in the middle of the display. The writing says, "Celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of People's Republic of China"
The poster with this egg woman says "Chinese Dream MyDream" This poster is just one of many in a series featuring the "Chinese Dream" motif and porcelain figures.
The last propaganda poster of the post features the phrase, "Warm all the way , all the way clean, safe journey home." I don't know what it means either, but enjoy the photo of the countryside.
