Explained: Why Chinese celebrities are promoting China’s stance on Hong Kong protests

Over the past few weeks, celebrities have been posting pro-China images, messages and music on their personal social media accounts that has in turn been promoted by Chinese government-backed media outlets.

China has enlisted the help of popular celebrities in mainland China and Hong Kong to promote its denouncement of the anti-extradition bill protests in Hong Kong that have been ongoing since March this year. Over the past few weeks, celebrities have been posting pro-China images, messages and music on their personal social media accounts that has in turn been promoted by Chinese government-backed media outlets.