A large German bookstore chain prominently displays Chinese propaganda books in several branches.
The one-sided presentation annoys customers and politicians.
The book retail chain Thalia presents
books from Chinese state publishers
in three of its branches
.
Thalia is
paying
for the
prominently displayed shelves
- there is no critical classification.
A customer and politician criticize the display of
Chinese propaganda
.
Berlin - Thalia is the largest book retail chain in Germany.
Now it has come under heavy criticism.
The reason: In a branch on Berlin's Alexanderplatz, a sinologist (China scientist) first noticed three bookshelves on the third floor.
There was
literature on China's traditions, literature and history on
display, which she first noted with enthusiasm.
But there is a catch.
Thalia chain causes a stir: Propaganda literature from China in German branches
On the shelves you will find works that are friendly to the government, including two books by Chinese President Xi Jinping called "Rule China" - classic propaganda literature.
Books critical of China are not to be found on the shelves at this point.
A saleswoman said that only
books from Chinese publishers, i.e. government-related publications
, are presented here.
Other works about China would be found on the first floor.
The sinologist published photos of her observation on Facebook.
Chinese propaganda works at Thalia - what's behind it?
As the editorial network Germany (RND) reports, Chinese literature is also presented in the same way as propaganda in Thalia branches in Hamburg and Vienna.
When asked by the RND why Thalia presented books
close to the regime
so prominently and without comment, the chain said in a statement: It was a
test
for a limited time
in cooperation with China Book Trading
, in which the Chinese partners propose books that were published by Thalia's range management would be checked.
The aim is a "service for the growing Chinese - or China-interested community in Germany."
Authoritarian government equips China shelves at Thalia: politicians stunned
What is uncomfortably noticeable: China Book Trading is completely subordinate to the
Chinese Communist Party
.
Independent publishers, for example from Hong Kong, are not represented there.
Ex-CDU General Secretary Rupert Polenz
shared the sinologist's contribution on Twitter and was amazed: “That must not be true.
Thalia lets the Chinese government fill the shelves with Chinese literature? "
That can not be true.
Thalia lets the Chinese government fill the shelves with Chinese literature?
I don't like to believe it.
pic.twitter.com/weCYCGkC8z
- Ruprecht Polenz (@polenz_r) September 16, 2020
It
is not uncommon for
publishers to
be able to rent
special
advertising measures in bookstores
.
Book branches can be paid for to highlight books on certain sales areas, tables and shelves.
Usually, however, no political advertising content for a dictatorship is advertised, for example with a
“Thalia tip”
above the shelf, as happened in the Berlin branch.
China-friendly books at Thalia: Members of the Bundestag demand more transparency
Dagmar Schmidt, chairman of the German-Chinese parliamentary group and SPD member of the Bundestag, criticized ZDFheute Thalia for a lack of transparency.
“It must be clear whose interests are represented there.
And other literature to be equally accessible. "
She advocates at least a sign on the bookshelf that clearly indicates that the Chinese Communist Party is presenting these books.
Above all, however, she would like a discussion about "how we deal with positions from
non-free societies
".