“Jasmine” has become the political equivalent of “fire” in a crowded movie theater for leaders in China, who consider the word dangerous to the point of being unmentionable because it has come to mean one thing: revolution.

 

After Tunisians rose up earlier this year and overthrew their dictatorial regime, they dubbed their accomplishment the “Jasmine Revolution.” Some individuals in China liked the sound of the phrase and began referencing it, especially since jasmine is also an integral part of Chinese culture. The flower is a mainstay of Chinese tea and the subject of a popular folk song.

 

In January, an online discussion group named “Jasmine Voice” called for silent protests in Beijing, but a major police presence discouraged participants. On Thursday, the pro-democracy web site known as Molihuaxingdong (“jasmine movement” in Chinese) told the Associated Press that its site had been hacked and its message removed.

 

The Chinese Communist government, ever fearful of any movement that might threaten its hold on power, has tried to eradicate anything and everything to do with jasmine in society.

 

For instance, use the word in a text message or an Internet search and there’s a good chance the communication will be blocked.

 

Also, videos of President Hu Jintao singing “Mo Li Hua,” a Qing dynasty tribute to the flower, have disappeared from the Chinese Web. The China International Jasmine Cultural Festival too has disappeared, canceled by local authorities.

 

And selling Jasmine in flower markets has been banned by police.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Catching Scent of Revolution, China Moves to Snip Jasmine (by Andrew Jacobs and Jonathan Ansfield, New York Times)

China Tightens Censorship of Electronic Communications (by Sharon LaFraniere and David Barboza, New York Times)

Frightened Chinese Communists Block More Search Terms…Including Name of U.S. Ambassador (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)