"They're Nuts"--Popular Author Li Chengpeng Silenced at Book Release NTDonChina

The censorship debate over Southern Weekly may seem to have waned. But the surprisingly mild way Chinese authorities responded to reporters there is contrasted with how they're treating other supporters of free press.

For popular author and online blogger, Li Chengpeng, a book signing on Saturday in Chengdu turned into a silent protest.

Li was in Chengdu to release his book, "The Whole World Knows." But security police told Li he couldn't address the crowd, talk with his fans, or even say "thank you" to them. To that, Li wrote on his twitter-like Weibo, "they're nuts."

[Ye Kuangzheng, Chinese Poet]:
"Chinese authorities are still doing what they've always done, trying to maintain so-called stability. That's why it issues orders like these that the public finds ridiculous."

Li Chengpeng is an influential person, especially on China's fast expanding social media. He has more than six million followers on Sina Weibo, China's version of Twitter. During the Southern Weekly storm, he voiced strong support for a free press in China.

Li's wild popularity means Chinese authorities are careful not to step too far, for fear it would incite his fans. Still the gag order for the book signing drew a strong statement from Li.

He turned up in a t-shirt on which he had written, "I love you all." He also wore a facemask to protest the gag order. Several fans also turned up wearing masks in solidarity with Li.

Li Chengpeng was formerly a sports commentator. He's a well-respected essayist and social critique. In an interview with Japanese media The Asahi Shimbun during the Southern Ｗｅｅｋlｙ censorship debate, Li exclaimed that China did not need an aircraft carrier or the status of the world's number two economy, but just a newspaper that tells the truth.

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"They're Nuts"--Popular Author Li Chengpeng Silenced at Book Release
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News & Politics	Upload TimePublished on 14 Jan 2013
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