China Hong Kong Toilet Paper Seizure

CY Leung’s Image Erased from Hong Kong Toilet Paper

The Democratic Party wanted to wipe the smile off his face

Some Hong Kong residents will be disappointed they won’t be able to wipe their rears with the face of the territory’s embattled Chief Executive this Spring Festival. According to Lo Kin-hei, the vice chairman of the Hong Kong Democratic Party, police in Shenzhen seized 8,000 rolls of toilet paper and 20,000 packets of tissues bearing the image of CY Leung, who is widely disliked in Hong Kong for his pro-Beijing stance. The toilet paper was being produced in the mainland prior to export to Hong Kong.

The items were ordered by the Democratic Party of Hong Kong and were meant for sale at a market during the Chinese New Year, according to Lo. The raids follow massive pro-democracy demonstrations that rocked the financial hub and divided residents into pro and anti-Beijing factions. Demonstrators were demanding more electoral freedom that Beijing has so far denied. “I guess (the Chinese authorities) don’t like people mocking government officials, especially high-ranking government officials, after the movement. They have become more cautious about criticisms about them,” Lo said.

Last year 4000 rolls of the unflattering cartoonish toilet paper sold out during Spring Festival. The Chinese Communist Party hammer and sickle appears on the toilet paper alongside Leung’s image. Lo says he is worried about what has happened to the factory owner that produced the insulting paper as he feels the authorities are cracking down on freedom of expression.

Source: BBC

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Trevor Metz

Journalist, radio host, and owner of Plan B Beijing.