China bans online scrutiny of national heroes and communist figures

This new law has been in effect since March. It amended the criminal code so that slander of "China’s martyrs and heroes" is not tolerated, according to The New York Times.

This has been achieved through the Chinese state's Cyberspace Administration who is tasked with regulating and monitoring the country's internet. This institution has created tip hotlines for citizens to report on other citizens' violations. On top of this, it has published a list of ten rumours that Chinese citizens are forbidden to discuss.

One of these rumours is disputing whether the Long March was actually particularly long. Another revolves around the Korean War, and whether the Chinese actually fought in self defense. Disputing these issues can land a Chinese citizen in jail.

In China, subjects like the Tiananmen Square massacre are already banned, but these laws push censorship to a new level. Since March, 15 people have been prosecuted under these new laws.

Chinese officials have said that these laws exist to combat "historical nihilism."

"We need to educate and guide the whole party to vigorously carry forward the red tradition," said the Chinese leader Xi Jinping.