Former editor Hu Xijin urges restraint in official media’s criticism of Japan

A former editor of a Chinese nationalist newspaper has called on official media to manage public expectations properly and refrain from using “harsh language that does not reflect the actual situation” when criticising Japan.

Hu Xijin, the former editor-in-chief of Global Times, affiliated with Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily, said some social media accounts run by official media had used “harsh language that does not reflect the actual situation” when criticising Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and warning Japan’s right-wing groups.

Hu said that official accounts should strive to “use precise language and convey factual information”, thereby “guiding public expectations and preventing misjudgments among citizens”.

On his Weibo account on Sunday, Hu warned that “exaggerated” and “superficial” information would be counterproductive.

“The fight against Japan is likely to last for a long time. Resilience and sustainability are warranted as we need to maintain the determination, rationality and unity of Chinese society,” Hu said.

“If some official accounts create unrealistic expectations, the potential misguidance to Chinese society could outweigh the deterrence that can be achieved against Japan,” he said.