Internet Fan Clubs Idolize Chinese Leaders
World Journal, Posted: Aug 31, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO -- Communist leaders in China have never been known for their pop star allure, but the Internet is changing that, reports the Chinese-language newspaper World Journal. Fan clubs of top Chinese officials are quietly forming up on the Internet. Before the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China this fall, pictures of Premier Wen Jiaobao --nicknamed Baobao by fans -- and President Hu Jintao -- nicknamed Taotao -- in their 20s surfaced on the Web. A picture of young Wen and two of his friends standing on a beach inspired comparisons to Hong Kong movie star Tony Leung. The pictures remind people that their top leaders were once young, a novel concept to most Chinese people not only because the leaders were already in their 60s when they became known, but also of the ways Chinese leaders used to present themselves. For example, Mao Zedong's statues across China were set up as heroes for people to bow to, not something that people can personally get close to.
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