Thought we should relate a short China LIS-LAW conversation yesterday on how? various parts of the PRC’s legal apparatus are using animation and mascots, we presume, to give these various organs of the state a “cute / friendly” tag. Very Orwellian
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Taisu Zhang started the conversation by posting the following message
While doing a bit of research about the Supreme People’s Court’s recent work agenda, I came across a statement that the Court is seeking designs for a cartoon mascot: http://www.court.gov.cn/xwzx/fyxw/zgrmfyxw/201012/t20101204_11804.htm.
I was wondering if anyone knew of other Chinese government branches, or highest courts anywhere in the world, that had an official cartoon mascot–and, indeed, was eager to publicize it. ?A quick search did not turn up anything for me. ?I personally find the SPC’s need for a cartoon mascot fairly suggestive of certain trends in its institutional psychology. ?Many thanks for any tips or suggestions you might have.
In response? Rich Kuslan editor of Asiabizblog? has directed people to the url below saying that Japan and Taiwan governmental entities have made extensive? use of animated mascots since the 1980’s
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20070221f3.html
But the scariest post comes from Donald Clarke who has provided an image of? Jingjing & Chacha a cute couple who are the official mascots of? the Internet Surveillance Division of the Shenzhen PSB !
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