BEIJING – In a week of contrasting developments, China has projected two starkly different images to the world. On one front, authorities have intensified a crackdown on online expression, detaining dozens of female authors of gay romantic fiction. On another, the world’s second-largest economy has posted its first rise in consumer prices after months of decline, offering a tentative sign of recovery from a persistent bout of deflation.
These parallel events paint a complex picture of a nation simultaneously tightening ideological control while grappling with significant economic headwinds.
Cultural Crackdown: Dozens of "Boys' Love" Authors Arrested
In a sweeping campaign under the banner of "cleaning the internet," Chinese police have detained dozens of young women who write and publish "danmei," a popular genre of homoerotic fiction also known as "boys' love." The crackdown, which has been escalating since early this year, has sent a chill through the country's vibrant online literary communities.
The authors, many of whom are university students or young women from low-income backgrounds, are accused of "producing and disseminating obscene materials for profit." Under China's penal code, this can be a serious offense, with potential sentences of over ten years in prison for cases deemed "especially serious."
The "Danmei" Phenomenon
The genre, which originated in Japan, features romantic and often explicit relationships between male characters. Paradoxically, it is written and consumed predominantly by heterosexual women in China. Fans and scholars suggest the genre offers a unique space to explore themes of desire, intimacy, and emotional connection outside the rigid constraints of traditional patriarchal narratives. The stories are often published on online literary platforms, some based outside mainland China, where writers can earn money from reader subscriptions.
Government Rationale and Public Backlash
The crackdown is part of a broader government effort to promote "traditional family values" and purge what it deems "vulgar" or "spiritually polluting" content from the internet. However, the move has triggered significant debate on Chinese social media platforms like Weibo. Critics question the severity of the punishments, with some pointing out that sentences for writing fiction have at times been harsher than those for violent crimes.
The detentions have had a chilling effect, with many authors deleting their work and withdrawing from online platforms. The campaign highlights the precarious position of creators in China's tightly controlled cyberspace and the authorities' continued targeting of LGBTQ+-related content, even when produced and consumed by a mainstream audience.
Economic Rebound: Consumer Prices Edge Out of Deflation
On the economic front, there was a sliver of positive news. China's National Bureau of Statistics announced that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.1% in June year-on-year. While marginal, this increase is significant as it marks the first time consumer prices have risen in several months, halting a period of deflation that had raised concerns about the health of the economy.
A Fragile Recovery
The slight uptick in inflation is seen as a potential sign that government stimulus measures, such as incentives for consumers to trade in old cars and appliances, may be starting to have an effect. A modest recovery in global commodity prices also contributed to the stabilization.
However, economists remain cautious, warning that the recovery is fragile and underlying demand within China remains weak. This is reflected in the Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures the cost of goods at the factory gate. The PPI continued to fall, indicating that businesses are still struggling with low demand and overcapacity.
The primary drag on the economy remains the prolonged crisis in the property market, which has deeply shaken consumer confidence and discouraged household spending and investment. While the end of consumer price deflation is a welcome development, sustained economic momentum will depend on more robust policy support and a fundamental recovery in domestic confidence.
The two narratives—a tightening grip on cultural expression and a fragile attempt to resuscitate economic vitality—underscore the central challenge facing China's leadership as it navigates a complex domestic landscape in mid-2025.
