China’s Blank Paper Protests Put A Damper On Weibo’s Annual Awards Show

The Weibo Awards Ceremony, rebranded as the Weibo TV & Video Summit this year, took place on Tuesday (Nov 29).

The ceremony was touted to surpass last year’s in terms of scale and star power.

However, China is now in the midst of national crisis. Across the country, unhappy Chinese citizens are raising blank sheets of paper to protest against Beijing’s 'zero Covid' policy and its strict pandemic restrictions. 

While the Weibo TV & Video Summit went on as slated, it took place in a low-key manner.

Netizens were unimpressed by how the ceremony turned out, leaving a barrage of comments to mock the organisers.

“The venue is so small and shabby,” criticised one netizen.

Some also chimed in on how the “venue was smaller than a hotel wedding [ballroom]”, while others felt that the night was “fleeting and forgettable”.

Highlights of the night also failed to make Weibo's trending topics.

The awards ceremony initially boasted a star-studded guest list, including big names like Yang Mi, Zhao Li Ying, Yang Zi, Dilireba, Hu Ge, Wang Yibo, Zhu Yilong and Chen Xiao.

Popular on-screen couple Leo Wu and Zhao Lusi from hit series Love Like the Galaxy were also slated to appear on stage that night.

Alas, due to the circumstances surrounding this year’s awards ceremony, Leo Wu, along with Yang Mi, Yang Zi, Dilireba, Hu Ge and Wang Yibo were no-shows.

On the other hand, stars including Yin Tao, Zhao Ruoyun, Zhao Liying, Xiao Zhan, Angelababy, Zhao Lusi, Mao Xiaotong, Tan Jianci, Chen Feiyu and Dylan Wang were all present to receive their awards in person.

Chen Feiyu and Dylan Wang, known for their roles in the dramas Lighter and Princess and Love Between Fairy and Devil respectively, were named the year's most high-profile actors.

After being criticised by netizens for her “unflattering” outfit at the Golden Rooster Awards last month, Guan Xiaotong showed up in an elegant tan dress, ready to impress.

"Everyone is satisfied with today’s outfit, [my] hairstyle and clothes match quite well,” quipped the actress during her red carpet interview.

Yang Chaoyue, who was named the up-and-coming actress of the year, showed up in a low-cut mini-dress. Netizens were in awe of her daring choice of outfit, though some were afraid that “her dress might slide right off”.

“She so beautiful I could cry, but I think she’s really too skinny,” wrote one netizen.

Photos: Sinchew News