Aliens versus the Communist Party? You decide
Science fiction hit ‘Three-Body Problem’ suggests an out-of-this-world invasion is preferable to CCP rule
In what is likely the oddest stab at “soft power” from an ever-increasingly locked-down China, the science fiction novel Three-Body Problem has not only bypassed the Great Firewall but also captivated audiences on Netflix and a highly popular Chinese TV series.
During his tenure, American President Barack Obama described it as “wildly imaginative,” while Mark Zuckerberg said it was “a fun break from all the economics and social science books I’ve read recently” on his Facebook website.
Yet, a Chinese cultural critic, who spoke to China Factor on condition of anonymity for fear of death or imprisonment, said that the novel’s real significance was that it suggests, given the choice, any sane person would prefer an alien invasion over the rule of the Chinese Communist Party or CCP.
Author Liu Cixin won the Chinese Science Fiction Yinhe Award for Three Body in 2006. In 2014, the English translation won the 2015 Hugo, making it the first Asian science fiction novel to lift sci-fi’s top accolade.
According to the cultural critic, Liu has said in interviews that his work is not intended to be a political commentary.
What I found odd is that the Chinese censors completely missed the obvious.
“Liu calls it ‘speculative fiction exploring the consequences of scientific and technological developments,’ but seriously, come on,” the critic said. “He is obviously committed to say anything that keeps him alive – and make a lot of money at the same time.”
Subject in point, the critic said, was in a key moment of the narrative when a physicist whose father is killed by a mob during the Cultural Revolution receives a message from space.
“Don’t reply or we’re heading your way and we’re awful,” the message says.
Given the absolute mob-rule insanity of Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution – a “confuse-and-rule” initiative resulting in up to 60 million deaths – the physicist responds, saying, “We’re here, come and get us,” or something to that effect.
“Hey, if I got that message, I’d probably reply the same way,” the critic told China Factor, adding: “What I found odd is that the Chinese censors completely missed the obvious.
“How is it they didn’t realize the subtext of the title is the ‘One-Body Problem’ and that body is the CCP,” the critic said.
“I felt I had an obligation to speak out, regardless of the consequences. I just hope your readership is so under the radar, that nobody will notice.”
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of China Factor.