In the Orwellian lands of censorship, propaganda, and authoritarian rule, the Chinese Communist Party runs a tight ship over all media outlets, controlling exactly what is or isn’t covered. But sometimes, mistakes can slip through even the tightly clasped fists of the totalitarian Chinese regime.
Here are 7 of the most amusing blunders of Chinese state-run media in recent years.
1. Japan’s secret weapon is actually a TV show robot
In late June, China Central Television (CCTV), China’s main state-run television station, reported that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was eager to go to war with China and was creating secret military weapons. Included with the footage of a helicopter and a naval vessel was a brief clip of a mobile suit Gundam.
But Gundam isn’t a weapon. In fact, it’s a giant robot in a massively popular Japanese science fiction franchise. Gundam also has a large following in China, making the mistake particularly egregious.
2. China’s media misses nuance of April Fool’s
On April Fool’s Day in 2013, Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Group, announced Virgin Atlantic airline would create the world’s first glass-bottomed planes and fly them between London and Scotland.
CCTV broadcasted the joke as factual news the next day, telling passengers not to worry as the see-through glass would meet all aviation standards.
