Editors' Note:
Recently, a 64-second animated video featuring the mayor of Zhang Jiajie in Hunan Province playing guitar, singing and dancing as ambassador for the 2009 Zhang Jiajie International Country Music Week sparked nationwide controversy. Zhao Xiaoming, 54, is reportedly the first city mayor in China whose cartoon image flashed on the screen.
Excessive praise unnecessary
Admittedly, a cartoon mayor is not something you often see on the screen. Nevertheless, it is unnecessary to over-praise the mayor's self-sacrifice to participate in the video and film industry.
The cartoon image of the mayor was used to promote the local music festival. It was part of his duties, rather than a sacrifice. Moreover, in the short informational film, the mayor's cartoon image was quite positive and not overly exaggerated. Chinese people always treat images of their leaders in a cautious way. If the image were overly exaggerated, neither the leader nor his subordinates would have allowed the video to be released. It was a beautified image, rather than “self-sacrifice.”
Abroad, it's commonplace that political characters are depicted and even lampooned in cartoons. Astute businessmen even use such images to make money. In the US, peppermints, gum and playing cards with wrappers showing President Bush's cartoon image were quite popular. The image of Bush on mint wrappers was even named “the national embarrassment,” a scenario that is completely unimaginable in China. None of those who enjoyed the mint and the gum praised Bush for making any sort of self-sacrifice.
Cartoon mayor, the more the better
In recent years, the Chinese cartoon industry has been developing and rapidly becoming more sophisticated. Political cartoons, however, are rarely seen in China.
It seems that many officials are too sensitive to accept political cartoons; when they see political cartoons with their image they become sensitive and perceive it as a personal insult or criticism. They see the political message of the cartoon as something serious and fail to see the humorous side.
This has been the usual way officials see such cartoons. Most of these officials can't accept criticism on the Internet, so is it any surprise that they are upset at seeing themselves with exaggerated features in humorous cartoons?
The cartoon depicting Zhao Xiaoming, in which he is singing and dancing with guitar in hand, is refreshing. Zhao Xiaoming is a pioneer, and people are hoping there will soon be more political figures willing to use their images in humorous cartoons. Their ability to be seen as “cartoon officials” is a step forward in the development of democracy.
The cartoon mayor is creative
The city of Zhang Jiajie is rich in folk music as well as beautiful natural scenery, and it was a creative decision to hold China's largest country music festival there. However, using the cartoon image of the mayor Zhao Xiaoming as the festival's spokesperson is even more creative.
The “cartoon mayor” is full of energy and freshness. Politics shouldn't be too serious. In the past, when we promoted local culture and tourism, we would usually hold a press conference, distribute a pile of brochures, and distribute local products. It is time to make a change.
The program “Paradise island ‘caretaker'” launched in Australia serves as a good example to promote local tourism. “Global selection,” “the world's best job,” and “island caretaker,” these words attracted massive attention around the world, and will do much to promote the small island.
Similarly, politics needs creativity. Zhao Xiaoming is the first practitioner to experiment with this type of creativity, and I hope there will be more.
Yangtse Evening Post