Xinhua style guide stresses power over Taiwan, HK and Macau

China’s official news agency Xinhua has recently published an update to its style guide that emphasizes China’s sovereignty over Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.

The guide now has 38 rules for referring to Taiwan and 17 guidelines for referring to Hong Kong and Macau. 

Xinhua is owned by the Chinese government and is one of its main propaganda tools. Other Chinese media outlets take Xinhua as a point of reference, particularly during politically sensitive periods.

For Hong Kong and Macau, one rule bans the use of the term “separation of powers” to describe the Special Administrative Regions’ political systems, which are, according to Xinhua, “dominated by the executive branch.”

Another rule states that the two regions cannot be listed independently alongside the name “China.” For example, the term “China-Hong Kong” is not allowed, but “mainland and Hong Kong” is acceptable.

“Self-praising words and references to Hong Kong and Macau’s opposition should be cited cautiously,” another rule stated, as quoted in a recent Quartz article.

The new rules also state that Hong Kong’s pro-democracy Umbrella Movement in 2014 should be referred to as “illegal ‘Occupy Central’”, referring to the original name for the planned civil disobedience campaign.

The rules dictate that three principal organizers of the Occupy movement cannot be referred to as the “Occupy Central Trio,” as they are widely known in Hong Kong. Xinhua’s new rule is that their alternative name should instead be “Occupy Central Three Clowns.”

Yet another rule states that, “Taiwan is a province of China […] but taking the feelings of our Taiwan compatriots into account, now we generally don’t call it ‘Taiwan Province,’ and we more often use ‘Taiwan Region’ or ‘Taiwan.’”

The list of “‘don’ts’ regarding reportage on Taiwan” also bans the Chinese media from using the term “President (Vice President) of the Republic of China.” Instead, media must now use “leader (deputy leader) of the Taiwan authorities.”

In response to Xinhua’s new rules, Taiwan’s department of China-related affairs issued a statement urging Beijing to “fully report reality and respect the fact that the Republic of China exists.”