Before we begin, I would like to recommend to everyone this fascinating 2013 essay by Wen-Hsuan Tsai and Peng-Hsiang Kao on the use of pseudonyms in Party-state media. The core argument is that these were developed in the 1960s during the Sino-Soviet split to criticise the USSR, and then became potent tools for criticising and taking out factional rivals during the Cultural Revolution. Some of this, i..e, use of pseudonyms to pursue clashes of interest, has persisted. But largely this is now about putting out departmental views around issues. “Veiling of authors prevents outsiders from perceiving any disputes within the Party,” at one level; at another, it reduces the potential negative responses that can occur among grassroots cadres. There’s also this really useful chart, although it doesn’t capture all key pseudonyms like say Zhong Sheng.
Tech Rectification, Trade Data, Taiwan Tensions, Party's Ideology Think Tank Chief's Historical Narrative
Tech Rectification, Trade Data, Taiwan…
Tech Rectification, Trade Data, Taiwan Tensions, Party's Ideology Think Tank Chief's Historical Narrative
Before we begin, I would like to recommend to everyone this fascinating 2013 essay by Wen-Hsuan Tsai and Peng-Hsiang Kao on the use of pseudonyms in Party-state media. The core argument is that these were developed in the 1960s during the Sino-Soviet split to criticise the USSR, and then became potent tools for criticising and taking out factional rivals during the Cultural Revolution. Some of this, i..e, use of pseudonyms to pursue clashes of interest, has persisted. But largely this is now about putting out departmental views around issues. “Veiling of authors prevents outsiders from perceiving any disputes within the Party,” at one level; at another, it reduces the potential negative responses that can occur among grassroots cadres. There’s also this really useful chart, although it doesn’t capture all key pseudonyms like say Zhong Sheng.