7 viral moments that showed the world what was really happening behind China's Great Firewall of censorship in 2022

Cheryl TehDec 28, 2022, 07:11 IST

There have been protests in every major city — including Beijing, the Chinese capital.NOEL CELIS/AFP via Getty Images

China's social media platforms are known for quickly censoring posts.
But some content does make it through China' Great Firewall of censorship.

In January, a viral video of a chained woman in a hut sparked national outrage.

During the Olympics in February, the Chinese internet found a new darling: Japanese figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu.

Figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu.Wang Fei/Xinhua via Getty Images

Fed up with lockdowns, China's youth rallied around a censored hashtag, proclaiming they are the country's "last generation."

A man looks out over a part of Shanghai's city skylineYongyuan Dai/Getty Images

On October 13, a lone protestor hung two massive banners from a Beijing bridge to voice his opposition to Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party. It was a searing image and a portent of unrest to come.

During the Chinese Communist Party's conference on October 22, an awkward moment between Xi and his predecessor, former Chinese President Hu Jintao, made its rounds online.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) looks on as former President Hu Jintao is ushered out from the closing session of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

During the Chinese Communist Party's conference on October 22, an awkward moment between Xi and his predecessor, former Chinese President Hu Jintao, made its rounds online.

On November 25, Chinese pop prince Kris Wu was given a 13-year prison sentence for rape. The decision was widely seen as new wind in the sails of the country's "Me Too" movement after years of censorship.

Kris Wu Yifan.VCG/VCG via Getty Images

On November 25, Chinese pop prince Kris Wu was given a 13-year prison sentence for rape. The decision was widely seen as new wind in the sails of the country's "Me Too" movement after years of censorship.

November also saw perhaps the most important moment on Chinese social media and Chinese streets alike. Anger over COVID lockdowns finally boiled over, and people took to the streets in defiance against the Communist Party.

Thousands of demonstrators erupt in rare protests against COVID-19 restrictions across ChinaAFP/Getty Images

November also saw perhaps the most important moment on Chinese social media and Chinese streets alike. Anger over COVID lockdowns finally boiled over, and people took to the streets in defiance against the Communist Party.

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7 viral moments that showed the world what was really happening behind China's Great Firewall of censorship in 2022

In January, a viral video of a chained woman in a hut sparked national outrage.

During the Olympics in February, the Chinese internet found a new darling: Japanese figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu.

Fed up with lockdowns, China's youth rallied around a censored hashtag, proclaiming they are the country's "last generation."

On October 13, a lone protestor hung two massive banners from a Beijing bridge to voice his opposition to Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party. It was a searing image and a portent of unrest to come.

During the Chinese Communist Party's conference on October 22, an awkward moment between Xi and his predecessor, former Chinese President Hu Jintao, made its rounds online.

On November 25, Chinese pop prince Kris Wu was given a 13-year prison sentence for rape. The decision was widely seen as new wind in the sails of the country's "Me Too" movement after years of censorship.

November also saw perhaps the most important moment on Chinese social media and Chinese streets alike. Anger over COVID lockdowns finally boiled over, and people took to the streets in defiance against the Communist Party.