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Speculation surrounds sudden decision to cancel live screening of annual event
Published on May 12, 2015
Published on May 12, 2015
A contingent from the PLA taking part in Russia's World War II anniversary parade last Saturday. The PLA team, however, did not head the foreign contingents as originally planned, but was made to appear last instead. -- PHOTO: EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY
By Kor Kian Beng, China Bureau Chief
CHINA'S last-minute decision to cancel live telecast of Russia's World War II anniversary parade last Saturday has triggered intense speculation over the possible reasons and also cast an uneasy spotlight on the state of ties between Beijing and Moscow.
Many Chinese viewers were caught by surprise since key television stations, especially state broadcaster Central China Television (CCTV), had hyped up the event and promised it would be telecast live.
Until this year, CCTV had broadcast the annual military parade in Moscow's Red Square to mark Russia's victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.
Furthermore, Saturday's Victory Day parade marked the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, with both President Xi Jinping attending and the People's Liberation Army (PLA) taking part for the first time. The 102-man PLA contingent was the biggest among the 10 foreign military groups.
"Xi Jinping's appearance at major events usually enjoy live telecast, especially given the significance of this year's parade. It is bizarre why there wasn't any live telecast," Peking University foreign policy expert Niu Jun told The Straits Times.
Chinese media reports, quoting insiders, said yesterday the decision was made just two hours before the parade began. In the end, the CCTV-13 news channel showed only snippets of Russian President Vladimir Putin's speech and Russian jets flying over Red Square.
The Dragon Satellite TV station in Shanghai reportedly also cancelled its planned live telecast.
"Live" video footage was available on the Phoenix News website while mobile news apps like Tencent provided live blogging with text and photos.
One of the main reasons cited by netizens was China's apparent displeasure that the PLA team did not head the foreign contingents as originally planned, but was made to appear last instead.
The Global Times, citing an unnamed PLA official, tried to put a positive spin yesterday, saying it was a "save the best for last" move reflecting Russia's high regard for China.
Mr Xi was the biggest name among the 26 foreign dignitaries present, after US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel did not show up because of differences with Mr Putin over Ukraine.
Another reason had to do with China's concern that a live telecast could lead Western nations to conclude a formal alliance was forming between Beijing and Moscow and this could complicate Mr Xi's US visit in September.
Yet another reason was that China was unhappy with a delay in a proposed deal for Russia to supply natural gas from western Siberia to China's western regions. There has been no progress since a preliminary pact was signed last November reportedly because of gas-price disagreements.
However, Fudan University's Sino-Russia expert Zhao Huasheng said the gas deal had not been expected to be among the 32 bilateral agreements inked by China and Russia last Friday.
"There are too many factors involved in such a big and politically sensitive deal. Negotiations usually require a long period of time at the political level before it can become a commercial agreement," he told The Straits Times.
Some netizens said China might have been worried that its people would compare the Russian parade with China's own military parade on Sept 3 to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Professor Niu reckoned this to be the most likely reason for the cancellation.
"Chinese leaders might think that a live telecast could complicate their ability to invite top foreign leaders to the Beijing military parade," he said.
"Putin has been isolated by the Western community because of the Ukraine crisis. If these nations think China is going to roll out the red carpet for Putin at its parade, they might not want to attend."
kianbeng@sph.com.sg
