Disney’s new movie “Christopher Robin” has reportedly been banned from release in China because its main character, a talking bear, has previously been likened to President Xi Jinping.
According to a report by the BBC, there isn’t a specific reason for the ban, however, there are ‘rumours’ that the Chinese government is reportedly blocking images of our favourite honey-loving Pooh bear from the internet FOR YEARS due to comparisons (Read: Memes) between Winnie the Pooh and the Chinese president, Xi Jinping
It started when Xi visited the US in 2013, and an image of Xi and then President Barack Obama walking together spurred comparisons to Winnie – a portly Xi – walking with Tigger, a lanky Obama.
A bear, however hard he tries, Falls foul of Chinese censors’ eyes https://t.co/ToOCHHZT7I pic.twitter.com/8H9ITqIc1M
— Financial Times (@FT) July 16, 2017
Xi was again compared to the fictional bear in 2014 during a meeting with Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, who took on the part of the pessimistic, gloomy donkey, Eeyore.
Chinese Internet users FTW. #APEC2014 pic.twitter.com/6wFDvhlaNv
— Josh Chin (@joshchin) November 10, 2014
Christopher Robin is the second Disney film to be denied a release this year after A Wrinkle in Time was blocked.
Read more on BBC.
Photo: Chris Kleponis-Pool/Getty Images; Laurie Sparham/Disney Enterprises, Inc.
