Xiaoyuan Jiang

Book censorship in the People's Republic of China is enforced by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and has a historical precedent dating back to the Qin dynasty. This practice involves the prohibition and destruction of books deemed to deviate from sanctioned political and historical narratives. Over centuries, various emperors and leaders, including the Qianlong Emperor and Mao Zedong, have implemented censorship campaigns. In contemporary China, under leaders like Xi Jinping, censorship has intensified and expanded, particularly impacting political discourse, historical accounts, and increasingly, content deemed to promote "Western veneration" or "ideological impurity."

The scope of censorship extends to mainland China and has notably impacted Hong Kong, where publishing was historically less restricted but has faced increasing controls, leading to self-censorship and the removal of sensitive materials. The CCP's General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) holds significant power to screen, censor, and ban publications. Despite strict enforcement, methods of defiance and reintroduction of banned books, such as through limited circulation among elites or at book fairs, persist. International publishers have also voiced opposition to censorship practices that affect foreign authors' works.

The practice of book censorship in China is ancient, originating as early as the Qin dynasty (221-206 BC). This historical method aimed to control the dissemination of information and ideas that did not align with the ruling authority. Early examples include Qin Shi Huang's "burning of books and burying of scholars" in 213 BCE. Later, during the Qing dynasty, the Qianlong Emperor (reigned 1735–1796) commissioned the destruction of 17th-century books containing what was considered anti-dynastic or heterodox thought, with the stated purpose of protecting future generations' minds from undesirable influences. These historical precedents set a long-standing pattern of governmental control over literature and intellectual expression.

Following the Chinese Civil War, Mao Zedong solidified the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) control, introducing extensive censorship laws. Raymond Pun notes that the CCP's political censorship served to "retain power, to maintain community standards and to protect dogma—in this case, Maoist dogma." This period, particularly the 1950s and 60s leading into the Cultural Revolution, saw the aggressive censoring and banning of anti-Communist and anti-Maoist literature. Public book burnings became a prominent tool for eradicating disapproved texts. By the end of the Cultural Revolution, the range of acceptable books was severely limited, primarily including works by Marxist theorists, Mao Zedong, and Lu Xun, alongside political readings and revolutionary operas. Access to other books was restricted, with students resorting to handwritten copies for circulation.

Under the leadership of Xi Jinping, censorship practices reminiscent of the Cultural Revolution have continued and intensified. Books deemed "politically incorrect," particularly those promoting pro-democracy sentiments or challenging ideological purity, are banned in mainland China and Hong Kong. Libraries have been targeted for "cleansing" books that promote "incorrect global outlook and values," leading to renewed book burnings. In 2023, the government began banning Mongolian language textbooks. Censorship now extends to high-ranking CCP cadres, indicating a broadening scope of control. The Ministry of Education has also banned books in school libraries that engage in "Western veneration."

Censorship in mainland China extends beyond direct publication bans to include strict controls on importation and online dissemination. Topics frequently targeted include modern Chinese politics, biographies of leaders, Tibet and Xinjiang, the Dalai Lama, the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, the Cultural Revolution, Falun Gong, and religious texts contradicting state theology. Allegorical fiction that subtly criticizes the government is also censored. Beyond political matters, strict regulations apply to books with explicit sexual content. The General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) has broad authority to screen, censor, and ban all forms of publication, with publishers requiring GAPP licenses to operate, granting the agency power to deny publication rights or shut down publishers.

Historically, Hong Kong offered a less censored publishing environment compared to mainland China, allowing for the publication of sensitive materials. However, with increased travel from the mainland, central government control has tightened, leading to a decline in open publishing and a rise in self-censorship. Following the 2020 national security law, libraries began removing sensitive books. Despite these restrictions, book fairs and covert distribution methods have been used to reintroduce banned books. Internationally, American publishers have pledged to oppose Chinese censorship targeting foreign authors, many of whom have discovered content removed from their works during translation without their knowledge.