The Chinese government is taking aim at an emotion that has become all too common on the country's internet - despondency. This week, China's Cyberspace Administration launched a two-month campaign to curb social media posts that "excessively exaggerate negative and pessimistic sentiments". The goal, according to authorities, is to "rectify negative emotions" and "create a more civilised and rational online environment".
In the crosshairs are narratives like "studying is useless" and "hard work is useless", as well as stories that promote "world-weariness".
China has been grappling with an economic slowdown in the wake of a property crisis, high youth unemployment and cut-throat competition for admission to colleges and jobs - all of which have given rise to a sense of disillusionment among its younger generation.
