The National Zoo in Washington is set to unveil two pandas on loan from China, attracting significant public attention. However, the Chinese government has responded to panda fandom with increasing control, apprehending influencers who speak out against animal welfare abuses. Officers in Sichuan have arrested individuals accused of spreading false information or harassing breeding center staff. This crackdown aligns with broader efforts by Xi Jinping to suppress online fan cultures that criticize both domestic and foreign wildlife management practices, limiting expression around animal rights in the process.
The moves come amid Chinese leader Xi Jinping's crackdown on internet fan culture, with authorities now tightly monitoring online activism related to pandas and animal welfare.
China has millions of panda fans who have long advocated for animal welfare, but recent arrests signal a dramatic shift in how the government responds to this activism.
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