China Censors Trump

China forbids streaming of Donald Trump’s inauguration.

The Chinese government has ordered the press to publish only reports on Donald Trump’s inauguration written by central state media. A copy of censorship instructions said: “It is forbidden for websites to carry out live streaming or picture reports of the inauguration.” It also reminded media outlets to not make the event the top story on their home page.

Many saw the move as the Chinese government’s response to a potentially hostile new US administration.

Elyse Ribbons, an American who hosts a programme on Chinese state-run radio, took to Twitter and said: “Wasn’t allowed to discuss Trump today on my radio show, he’s now an official sensitive topic.”

She added: “Chinese leadership still trying to figure him out (sigh)”.

Mr Trump has clashed with China multiple times with Beijing even issuing a formal complaint to Washington after he spoke on the phone to Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen.

Professor of international news at Beijing Foreign Studies University said the Chinese government still did not know how to react to the new president.

He said: “Trump is a very different kind of president than Obama. He has a less friendly attitude – he’s unpredictable.”