The Chinese government has launched a two-month campaign to curb "excessively negative and pessimistic sentiments" on the internet, aiming to "rectify negative emotions" and create a more "civilised and rational online environment." This follows a period of economic slowdown, high youth unemployment, and fierce competition that has fueled disillusionment among young people.

• The campaign targets narratives like "studying is useless" and "hard work is useless."
• China's Cyberspace Administration is leading the initiative.
• Last week, content creator Hu Chenfeng had his social media accounts scrubbed after a viral comment.
• Social media platforms like Xiaohongshu, Kuaishou, and Weibo face "strict punishments" for failing to control "negative" content.
• Experts like Assistant Professor Simon Sihang Luo note that while the government aims to suppress pessimism, the underlying economic and social pressures persist.