Censorship Agency Bans Novel for Satirizing Slogan

Chinese authorities have banned a new novel by Yan Lianke because the title satirizes the slogan "Serve the People" coined by late Communist Party chairman Mao Zedong, according to a report by Reuters. The report cites an unnamed industry source as saying: "It uses low, vulgar and obscene description to vilify the lofty aim to 'serve the people'." According to Reuters, a notice from the General Administration of Press and Publication announced the ban to publishing houses, newspapers, and magazines in late February. In recent years, Chinese authorities have banned video games, dozens of educational and legal magazines, books such as "A Survey Of Chinese Peasants" by Chen Guidi and Wu Chuntao, and hundreds of other publications and articles.