No straighter line has ever connected the wisdom of ancient Chinese culture with the convenience of its technologically-advanced present than a new promotion that features bearded, robe-wearing Chinese sages seen piloting drones and traveling in high-speed trains.
Coinciding with the annual legislative sessions currently taking place in Beijing, the promotion is a series of posters published by China’s State Council that remind Chinese citizens of their numerous accomplishments that have raised the standard of living throughout the country. Messages seen on the posters include mentions of eradicating poverty and the provision of ample housing for Chinese citizens.
To get its message across, the promotion employs a strange juxtaposition of China’s old with its new. Not only have famous classic Chinese poetry (such as the one above by Li Bai) been re-written to extol the accomplishments of the CCP, but also feature wisened old sages seen enjoying the “small comforts” of China’s modern society.
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The ancient sages are seen driving tractors and using cell phones equipped with China’s next-generation 4G network (with full signal). Oddly, the sages are also seen flying unmanned drones, a product that has become a boom industry in China whose use was nevertheless banned during these same legislative sessions.
The anachronisms look to appeal to China’s elderly, a rising demographic whose growing needs have been catered with private elevator construction and outdoor exercise equipment. And as seen in the poster featuring a headphone-wearing sage, classic poet Du Fu fervent wish to house the world’s poor has been answered by the CCP:
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Using the favored genre of “cartoons” to spread their message, the State Council also has published other posters targeting younger demographics regarding other reminders of social advancements and wealth accumulation:
If your taste for propaganda doesn’t favor the use of cartoons, you can always check out Amazing China, the national spirit campaign-cum-documentary currently playing in theaters, currently breaking the Chinese box office with earning of 3 billion yuan. Watch the promo for this film here.
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