Inside China Today

Chinese propaganda seeks to unify reports on Liu Xiang’s shock exit

Just days after Liu Xiang’s shock exit from the 110 metres hurdles, the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Propaganda Department has sought to unify media reports on the incident. Liu was China’s golden boy after he grabbed gold in the 110 metres hurdles at the 2004 Athens Olympics and has been carrying the pressure and expectations of the entire nation in the lead up to the Beijing Olympics. On August 18, after showing clear signs of discomfort during warm-ups, Liu limped off the tracks at the Bird Nest stadium in agony after a false start in his heat, leaving the stadium in disbelief. It was revealed in a press conference after that his withdrawal was due to an Achilles injury.

After Liu’s withdrawal, Vice President of the Chinese communist regime Xi Jingping telephoned the State General Administration of Sport to pass on a message to Liu and his coach Sun Haiping saying that everyone understood his withdrawal, and hopes he can recover in peace, and once he’s healed to continue training hard and grab even greater glory for the nation. Chinese state media reported Liu and Sun’s reaction to Xi’s message as being very touched, and repeatedly thanked the concern of the party leader saying Liu will be steadfast in his recovery and try to get back on the tracks as soon as possible.

Since August 18, a surge of emotive discussion appeared on Chinese website forums, blogs and throughout the media. Comments ranged from sympathy, shock and even anger, and many asked whether it was fair for Liu to shoulder so much expectation to grab gold at the Games. Soon questions were raised as to why the extent of Liu’s injury was not made public earlier as well as speculations over the real reasons behind the shock withdrawal. A number of discussion postings over the incident had been deleted from forums and blogs, and a report by Mingbao reveals that the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Propaganda Department has issued a notice not to speculate over the reasons behind Liu’s withdrawal, and for media reports to follow the press conference saying that Liu is still a hero even if he did withdraw.

The above news is brought to you by Fang Qiong and Chris Thomas for Inside China Today on the SOH Radio Network.