Things to Forget Immediately When Traveling to China

You won't have many opportunities to choose international movies when going to the cinema because only 34 international films are released and tightly managed by the authorities each year.

Things to Forget Immediately When Traveling to China

Being a nation rich in cultural traditions, China is considered one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. However, this country has a somewhat 'closed-door' policy when many things that seem common worldwide are prohibited here. Below are things you will never encounter or easily use when traveling to China.

1. Twitter Social Network

Foreign social networks hardly surpass the 'Great Firewall of China' - the name of this country's cybersecurity censorship implemented by the Government for over a decade. Despite promises of loosening this management, updating information via Twitter in China is still seen as a long journey to conquer.

Only 34 foreign films are allowed to be screened in Chinese cinemas each year and are subject to strict censorship. Even blockbuster movies must adhere to this restriction.

Despite passing through the censorship process, films released in cinemas still face stringent government regulation. Chinese film production companies often have commercial advantages but frequently encounter challenges when dealing with authorities.

A film that received much praise internationally directed by a Taiwanese filmmaker in 2005, Brokeback Mountain, was never even screened in China.

5. Snapchat

Snapchat is a mobile application that allows users to take photos, record videos, add text, drawings, and send them to friends. Similar to other online social networks, this app is banned in China. This is seen as an opportunity for domestic companies to strengthen their market share. Apps produced by the country itself, such as Weibo and Wechat, are used by millions of people.

6. Foreign Websites

In addition to Google and social networks, Beijing also blocks thousands of other foreign websites ranging from useful content to pornography. The purpose of this action is to restrict citizens' access to 'left-leaning' websites, which often criticize the government or express views related to politics and human rights.

7. Books, stories

Before hitting the shelves in China, all books must undergo scrutiny by the General Administration of Press and Publication of this country. All topics such as human rights, Tibet, or the Communist Party are eliminated. Information related to the assets of officials in the state machinery is also among the 'national prohibitions'.

This decision forces publishers to choose, either to accept removing sensitive topics or risk losing 1.4 billion potential readers. In contrast to China, publishing units in Hong Kong are somewhat more relaxed about content.

According to VnExpress

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