China Enlists Western Media to Spread Its Message - WSJ: Under Mr. Xi, Beijing, which often calls Western depictions of its society unfair, has stepped up support for co-productions with foreign partners, including documentary tie-ups spotlighting the country’s culture, technological advancements and infrastructure projects.
One such feature is “China: Time of Xi,” a three-part documentary produced by Discovery channel’s Asia arm that was first broadcast in China in late October, shortly after China’s Communist Party gave the leader a level of authority not seen here since Chairman Mao.
A Discovery Channel’s documentary, shown in this YouTube video, portrays the Chinese Communist Party’s approach to development as a model for the world.
Interspersed in the production are admiring words for Mr. Xi and his policies from people such as Robert Lawrence Kuhn, a host for China’s state broadcaster, and former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who says “Xi Jinping is a leader who dreams very big dreams.”
In one episode, economist Dambisa Moyo praises Mr. Xi’s signature Belt and Road initiative as “one of these incredibly transformative ideas.”
The documentary mentions some of China’s challenges, such as pollution. But there is no mention of more controversial aspects of Mr. Xi’s tenure, such as his crackdowns on speech and dissidents or his moves toward one-man rule.
“It’s not our place to sort of comment on or provide the good and the bad. We don’t look at it that way,” said Discovery representative Karun Arya. “We’re in the business of infotainment.”
One such feature is “China: Time of Xi,” a three-part documentary produced by Discovery channel’s Asia arm that was first broadcast in China in late October, shortly after China’s Communist Party gave the leader a level of authority not seen here since Chairman Mao.
A Discovery Channel’s documentary, shown in this YouTube video, portrays the Chinese Communist Party’s approach to development as a model for the world.
Interspersed in the production are admiring words for Mr. Xi and his policies from people such as Robert Lawrence Kuhn, a host for China’s state broadcaster, and former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who says “Xi Jinping is a leader who dreams very big dreams.”
In one episode, economist Dambisa Moyo praises Mr. Xi’s signature Belt and Road initiative as “one of these incredibly transformative ideas.”
The documentary mentions some of China’s challenges, such as pollution. But there is no mention of more controversial aspects of Mr. Xi’s tenure, such as his crackdowns on speech and dissidents or his moves toward one-man rule.
“It’s not our place to sort of comment on or provide the good and the bad. We don’t look at it that way,” said Discovery representative Karun Arya. “We’re in the business of infotainment.”