Criticized Xi Jinping Via Twitter, New Zealand Professor's Account Suspended

Anne-Marie Brady, a professor at the University of Canterbury. (photo: twitter)

JAKARTA - Twitter has temporarily suspended the account of a New Zealand professor after she criticized the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party and President Xi Jinping.

Anne-Marie Brady, a professor at the University of Canterbury, wrote two tweets criticized China and Xi celebrating the centennial of the Communist Party.

She posted a story from the Sydney Morning Herald entitled "Xi's empty 100th birthday celebration for the Chinese Communist Party" adding an "alternative title: Xi: this is my Party and I'll cry if I want to," referring to Lesley Gore's hit song from 1963.

In another photo, she posted a photo of a sour-looking Xi flanked by two Chinese officials on Saturday, writing, "A picture is worth a thousand words."

On Sunday, July 4 Brady said Twitter was temporarily suspending her account, where she commented: "Looks like one shouldn't make fun of Dear Leader."

Twitter did not explain Brady's suspension, other than posting a "This account is temporarily restricted" notice in the tweet.

Twitter's actions caught the attention of Edward Lucas, a columnist for London's Sunday Times newspaper, who defended Brady, an expert on China's efforts to wield influence around the world.

"Twitter hasn't explained what prompted this," Lucas wrote in the column. “Brady just received an automatic warning that he may have 'violated' the rules of the social media platform. But the decision may be the result of a joint campaign by the Chinese Communist Party's online agency."

“Simply a complaint usually triggers an auto-block. After I sparked a stir on Twitter and sent a few complaints, the account was restored. Less prominent victims of Chinese censorship will have less chance of redress,” he added.

Brady thanks Lucas for intervening and links to Lucas' column.

“Some of the big names on social media, from @Twitter to @LinkedIn@Zoom&@Facebook, seem to be getting used to silence critics for the CCP. Yesterday it was my turn to be censored. Thank you for your support to cancel it,” she wrote.

"Looks like @Twitter may briefly forget they don't work for Xi Jinping," Brady wrote.

In a statement, Twitter said it was adding a temporary notification when it "detects unusual activity from an account," until confirmation from the account owner.

The social media giant also denied having suspended the account due to pressure from the Chinese government. However, many people suspect that Twitter is doing it so that they can freely operate in China.

"To set the record straight, the statement that Twitter is coordinating with any government to suppress speech has no basis in fact whatsoever," Twitter said. "We advocate for a free, global, and open internet and remain staunch defenders of freedom of expression."