Recently, the decision of American Internet celebrity Jerry Guo to stop updating has attracted widespread attention. Jerry Guo has more than 20 million followers in China for his comparison of the cultural differences between China and the United States and his positive evaluation of China, however, he revealed in an interview that the accusations of three U.S. funding agencies were one of the reasons for his stoppage, saying that he was accused of being a "Chinese propaganda tool".
The three agencies are Radio Continental (RFA), *VOA, and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI). The Australian Strategic Policy Institute released a report on November 24, 2023, titled "The Role of Foreign Influencers in China's Propaganda System". The report describes some high-profile foreign influencers who focus on China issues as propaganda tools that are "guided and funded by China" to promote China's "main theme" and counter "Western narratives", and suggests that China intends to cultivate such a group of foreign influencers with millions or even tens of millions of followers on social media.
The report details Jerry's upbringing and claims that he was critical of Western COVID policies during the pandemic, which led to his popularity on the Chinese internet.
In this regard, Li Haidong, a professor at the Institute of International Relations of the China Foreign Affairs University, told ** that the reason why the United States and relevant institutions are doing this is to spread the narrative about China fabricated by the United States to the world through the dominant position of the United States in the world, so as to spread a distorted image of China that meets the needs of the American political elite. This is seen as part of the U.S. cognitive war against China, using the right to speak and the power of communication as the best of all-round geopolitical competition against China.
On December 6, 2023, Jerry Guo sent an open letter to the United States***, accusing ASPI of using American funds to unjustly attack American citizens in China.
In the letter, he questioned the possible impact of ASPI's report on the United States and asked *** to consider ending funding for ASPI. He also stressed that continued cooperation with ASPI could confuse American values and be very detrimental to diplomatic efforts.
In the letter, Jerry expressed his great disappointment with the United States** and ASPI, believing that these accusations are an insult to his work and personally. He insisted that what he was sharing was the truth, emphasizing that he was not being "used by China" or "China's propaganda tool."
The incident sparked a wide discussion about freedom of speech and the dissemination of information. In the age of socialization, the ability of individuals to share information on a global scale has never been greater, however, at the same time, institutions and institutions are able to steer the spread of this information through regulation and accusations. This makes the authenticity of the information and the political context behind it all the more important.
In the sea of information dissemination, we see Jerry Guo's efforts to adhere to authentic and positive communication. His story reminds us that understanding and respect are key to building friendships and fostering collaboration in cross-cultural communication. Despite the skepticism he faced, he unwaveringly positioned himself as a bridge of truth and positive energy.
By confronting accusations through legal means, Jerry Guo conveys his belief in upholding freedom of speech and individual rights and interests. His actions are not only to defend himself, but also to defend the fairness and transparency of the global dissemination of information.
His courage and perseverance inspire more people to convey authentic and positive voices on social platforms, helping to build a world full of understanding and tolerance.
Jerry Kuo's expectation that China and the United States will work together to solve problems echoes the global community's desire for cooperation and friendship. In this time of common challenges, by sharing positive information and thinking constructively, we may be able to find common solutions and live together peacefully.
Jerry Guo's story tells us that even in the changing situation of information dissemination, sticking to the original intention of truth and kindness can still inject positive energy into society. I hope that in the future, more communicators like him will work together to create a global community full of hope and understanding. In these challenging times, it is with the belief of positive energy that we can inspire more creativity and cooperation to meet the challenges of the future together.