China is restricting public mourning during the funeral of former premier Zhu, with authorities reportedly wary that nostalgia could lead to criticism of Xi's leadership, the BBC reports.
Key facts
- China held the funeral of former premier Zhu, according to the BBC.
- Authorities publicly hailed Zhu's legacy, the BBC reports.
- Public mourning is being restricted, according to the BBC.
- The BBC reports officials are wary that nostalgia could lead to criticism of Xi's rule.
Chinese authorities have restricted public displays of mourning as the country held the funeral of former premier Zhu, according to the BBC. While officials publicly hailed Zhu’s legacy, the BBC reports they are wary about how displays of grief might be interpreted.
According to the BBC, the concern is that nostalgia for Zhu could lead to criticism of Xi’s rule.
Further details about the scope of the restrictions, the specific measures taken and the official response were not available in the source at the time of publication.
Why it matters
How a government manages public grief for a former leader can reflect underlying political sensitivities. According to the BBC, Chinese authorities are seeking to honour Zhu's legacy while limiting expressions of mourning that could be read as criticism of the current leadership.
Frequently asked questions
Whose funeral is China holding?
According to the BBC, China held the funeral of former premier Zhu.
Why is China censoring public mourning?
The BBC reports that authorities are wary that nostalgia for Zhu could lead to criticism of Xi Jinping's rule.
Did authorities acknowledge the former premier's legacy?
Yes. According to the BBC, authorities hailed Zhu's legacy even while limiting public mourning.