Cock-up ... the new People's Daily building
CHINESE authorities have blocked people searching for pictures of the official Communist Party newspaper — because it looks like a giant penis.
The newly erected People’s Daily building in Beijing, which is under construction and has the top part covered in scaffolding, has raised sniggers on Chinese social network Sina Weibo.Now a search on Sina Weibo, China’s equivalent of Twitter, for the phrases ‘People’s Daily’ and ‘building’; sends back a message saying the search has been blocked ‘In accordance with relevant laws, regulations and policies.’
The magnificent tower stands at 150 metres tall and will be used to house the People’s Daily newspaper, the official mouthpiece of China’s ruling party. It is thought it will look less like a member when the scaffolding is removed from the top.
It comes amid more derision for another of Beijing’s iconic buildings, the China Central Television (CCTV) Headquarters which people say resembles a giant pair of underpants. The insult has become so common the building is often referred to as ‘The Big Underpants.’
Some clever graphics artists have now Photo-shopped The Big Underpants with the People’s Daily building strategically placed underneath.