Direct translation
Rarely Provocative! Hu Jintao and Zhao Ziyang both appear; June 4th Incident also imminent
—Douyin (TikTok) goes on a three-day "tower-rush" spree! Hu Jintao and Zhao Ziyang both appear, even a June 4th documentary is featured. Netizens: The platform has gone mad!
Editor: Fang Xun / Source: Newtalk / https://www.aboluowang.com/2025/1209/2317333.html / Image: Screenshot from Douyin account (@IngWeilai)
Recently, a series of highly sensitive historical and political content has appeared on the Chinese Douyin (TikTok) platform, including videos and discussions featuring figures such as Hu Jintao, Chai Jing, Zhao Ziyang, Wang Yang, and even Xi Jinping, sparking what netizens have described as a "unprecedented wave of attacks on historical figures."
This phenomenon spread rapidly within just a few days, and the explicit nature of the content shocked many Chinese netizens.
The incident began when a Douyin account released a 2006 interview video of Chai Jing. After the video was uploaded, the comments section unexpectedly focused on discussions and nostalgia for former President Hu Jintao. Since both "Chai Jing" and "Hu Jintao" are considered sensitive figures on the Chinese internet, the fact that the video could circulate normally on Douyin was seen by many netizens as an extremely unusual signal.
Following this, numerous users on Douyin (TikTok) compiled lists of the dates when various provinces declared independence during the Xinhai Revolution, presenting them in tables or animations. While intended for historical education, the inclusion of issues such as regime change and local independence sparked speculation about the underlying intentions. Subsequently, a video about the June 3rd Movement in South Korea in 1964 appeared on the platform. Although a historical event, many netizens subtly pointed out in the comments that the video "alluded to China's June 4th, 1989," quickly making it one of the most suggestive pieces of content.
The numerous users on Douyin (TikTok) compiled lists of the dates when various provinces declared independence during the Xinhai Revolution, presenting them in tables or animations. While intended for historical education, the inclusion of issues such as regime change and local independence sparked speculation about the underlying intentions.
Image: Screenshot from X account @IngWeilai
A video introducing the June 3rd Movement in South Korea in 1964 appeared on the platform. Although it's an international historical event, many netizens pointed out in the comments, in a subtle tone, that the video "alludes to China's June 4th, 1989," making it one of the most suggestive pieces of content.
Image: Screenshot from X account @IngWeilai
Later that night, videos on the theme of "recall" began appearing on Douyin. Although not explicitly targeting any specific person, netizens generally believed that this content was extremely sensitive on the Chinese internet, leading to speculation that the platform's censorship might be loosening or delayed.
The most shocking content was the emergence of actual footage from a documentary about the June 4th Incident circulating on Douyin. Because such footage has long been highly taboo on the Chinese internet, the appearance of the video shocked the entire community. The video showed an unnamed student with a red headband, riding a bicycle to Tiananmen Square to participate in a demonstration, being stopped and interviewed by a foreign journalist along the way. When asked by a reporter why he went, he replied briefly and firmly, "Going to march, at Tiananmen Square." When pressed for a reason, he responded without hesitation, "Why? I think it's my duty!" Many people commented that this was the first time they had seen this on Douyin (TikTok).
As the incident escalated, historical footage of former Chinese leader Zhao Ziyang going to Tiananmen Square in 1989 to persuade students began to circumvent regulations. The comment section even saw several comments directly mentioning "8964," significantly pushing the boundaries of normal censorship and creating an unusually open discussion.
Image: Screenshot from X account @IngWeilai
Later, netizens edited together past public speeches by former Vice Premier Wang Yang from the perspective of the cartoon character "Bald Qiang." The video included a famous quote by Wang Yang: "Pursuing happiness is the people's right, and bringing benefits to the people is the government's responsibility. We must dismantle the erroneous theory that the people's happiness is a gift from the government." This video quickly went viral on Douyin (TikTok), garnering numerous quotations and praises from netizens.
Later, netizens edited together past public speeches by former Vice Premier Wang Yang from the perspective of the cartoon character "Bald Qiang." This included Wang Yang's famous quote: "Pursuing happiness is the people's right, and bringing benefits to the people is the government's responsibility. We must dismantle the erroneous theory that the people's happiness is a gift from the government."
Image: Screenshot from X account @IngWeilaiFinally, the most controversial video was a creation titled "Bear Two Criticism Meeting." Although the protagonist was the animated character "Bear Two," the content was interpreted by many netizens as a strong allusion to current leader Xi Jinping, making the entire incident extremely sensitive.
Chinese netizens left numerous comments expressing their amazement.
Image: Screenshot from X account @IngWeilai
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