Who could ever say no to an adorable little bear? China clearly can. In a shock move, the Chinese government have banned the release of the upcoming Disney film Christopher Robin after several comparisons have been made of Winnie-the-Pooh and President Xi.
The comparisons started back in 2013 when a picture surfaced on the internet of President Xi and Barack Obama walking side by side with an image of Winnie-the-Pooh and Tigger. What seemed to be a lighthearted joke made by China, wasn’t taken so well by the government.
China have been known to sensor and ban a lot of their films, therefore it is not too surprising for a film to not air. By allowing only a maximum of 34 foreign films per year, this could also possibly play a factor as to why Winnie-the-Pooh will not arrive on Chinese screens.
However, suppressing the Winnie-the-Pooh comparison may not do any favours for President Xi. With what seems to be the very little positive image of the authoritarian regime, having an adorable bear brings about a more likeable character of President Xi…arguably something he has failed to do himself.
#Peace.Love.Winnie-the-Pooh
