What's the explanation? That they are explicitly allowed for some strategical reason? Something else?
Edit: @dang: Sorry in advance. I do feel like we got some pretty good discussion around this explosive topic, at least in its first hour.
Folks, keep up the good behavior — it makes me look good.
All communication software (QQ/Wechat are the two most used) have sort of backend scanner that detects topics that are in the "in-season" blacklist and ban accounts accordingly. No one knows what the list is so people could get banned for random reasons, but in general bashing current policies or calling out names of the standing members of Politburo is the quickest way to get banned -- and in many instances also got the Wechat group banned.
On the other side, surprisingly, there are many contents that are apparently inappropriate floating on the social media without getting banned. This also throws people off feet.
What I gathered is:
- Don't shit on current party leaders. Actually don't discuss current politics at all. AIs don't always recognize contents correctly so you could be banned for supporting one side or desisting it at the same time.
- Don't ever try to call up other people to join whatever an unofficial cause, whatever it is. Like, even if it's purely patriotic, just don't do it. You do it and you might go to prison very quickly -- at least someone is going to call you to STFU. Grassroot movements is the No.1 enemy of the government and they don't like it. You have to go through official channels for those.
This leads to the following conclusion:
Essentially, the government wants as much control as possible. You want to be patriotic? Sure, but it has to be controlled patriotic. You can attend party gathering to show your patriotism, but creating your own, unofficial gathering is a big No. They probably won't put you into a prison if the cause is legit, but police are going to bug you from time to time ->
IMO this is how the CCP succeed. It has successfully switched from an ideologic party to an "All-people" party. It doesn't really care about ideology. But it wants to assimilate everyone who potentially can be out of control. If you are a successful businessman, it will invite you to participate in political life. If you are an activist who can call up thousands of people, it wants you in. It is essentially, a cauldron of elitists. It has nothing to do with "Communism". It is essentially, GOP + DEM in the US.
"Item number 12. We feel like this URL is hurtful to the Chinese people"