China’s New Language of Discontent

Joshua Eisenman | Nov 03, 2015

“Over the past few months, a new and divisive word has begun provoking debate across China. That word is niguo, translated as “your country”, and it is the most prominent of a new lexicon of words that both mainland and overseas Chinese are using online to distance themselves from the injustice, bigotry and bad behaviour that have become commonplace in China. Lacking an open arena within which to freely express their opinions on important matters that affect their lives, a new generation of tech-savvy Chinese is using niguo to rhetorically opt out of the system and distance themselves from the Communist Party.

It is a potent term. Niguo rejects the centrality of Beijing’s opinion and policies in the user’s personal affairs. It is an individual declaration of independence from the party that expresses discontent. Even when used to deride unofficial bad behavior, it remains a simple, yet powerful, critique of the institutions that impart Chinese people with distasteful anti-foreign views, jingoistic slogans, intolerant ideas and bad manners.”

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Photo Courtesy of NYT