China Deletes Social Media Posts Mocking India Amid Backlash

Photos of the Tianhe module launch and its fuel burn-off were compared with what appeared to be a mass outdoor cremation in India, and captioned "China lighting a fire versus India lighting a fire."

A social media post by China's top law enforcement body juxtaposing the country's successful launch of a module into space with grim cremation pyres in India was deleted after it sparked online criticism in China. Photos of the Tianhe module launch and its fuel burn-off were compared with what appeared to be a mass outdoor cremation in India, and captioned "China lighting a fire versus India lighting a fire." The post on Saturday by the Communist Party's Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission on its official Sina Weibo account was accompanied by a hashtag noting that new Covid-19 cases in India had surpassed 400,000 a day. Later that day, it could no longer be found. Many Chinese social media users expressed shock and anger at the insensitivity of the post. "We hope everyone gives attention to the Chinese government and mainstream public opinion supporting India's fight against the epidemic," China's foreign ministry said in response to a request for comment. The office of the ministry's spokesperson added that more supplies will continue to be sent to India in the coming days showing China's support through practical action.