"The US Department of Commerce has banned the Chinese animated film "Ne Zha 2" over 'national security' concerns, saying it could lead to ideological infiltration," reads the simplified Chinese headline in a screenshot of a purported news report shared on X on February 6.
The alleged report is dated February 5 and claims the department's Bureau of Industry Security (BIS) placed the film on its Entity List -- a trade blacklist -- and that the ban was "the first time the US government issued a complete ban on an entertainment product".
The report also claims White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the country needs to beware of the risks of "digital surveillance" and "mental manipulation" in cultural works.
The image's caption repeats the claim in the purported report, which is unattributed to any news organisation.
Image
Screenshot of the false post, taken February 24, 2025
"Ne Zha 2" is based on Chinese mythology and features a rebellious young deity battling formidable foes after his village is destroyed. It ousted Disney's "Inside Out 2" to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time, state news agency Xinhua reported on February 18 (archived link).
The film's overseas release in February sparked hopes among some Chinese that it would garner similar acclaim abroad (archived link). President Xi Jinping has urged more confidence in traditional culture and aims to build China into a cultural powerhouse by 2035.
The same screenshot was shared on X, Weibo...
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