China used actors for propaganda video that wasn't even at Galwan; shot it over 4 hours

After Beijing released a propaganda video on 1 January allegedly showing Chinese flag in Lakh's Galwan valley, some users on Chinese social media platform Weibo have pointed out that Communist Party (CCP) used Chinese actors for entire ceremony. Media reports have stated that users on Weibo indicated CCP used actor Wu Jung and his wife Xie Nan, who is also a TV host, to stage dramatic flag-raising ceremony on first day of 2022.

It is to note that China released propaganda video at a time when Beijing has enforced controversial land border law while also continuing to cover country’s aggressive expansionism under disguise of a cheerful exchange of sweets with Indian side at Chushul. While Chinese state media h claimed that Chinese national flag was hurled by PLA troops at Galwan, Weibo users pointed out top actors of country taking part in staged ceremony and posted screenshots from video.

Top Chinese actors spotted in Beijing's propaganda video 

Media reports stated that location where ceremony was staged took place nearly 28  kilometres behind Galwan river. It is also to note that Wu Jing is one of China’s top actors and has even played a protagonist in several Chinese films including a range of roles as a soldier of People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

He is well known for role of a Chinese soldier in movie ‘ Battle at Lake Changjin’. As per media reports, Battle at Lake Changjin is most expensive movie me in China with a budget of $200 million. Its story was approved by CCP and was announced as a part of Communist Party’s 100th Anniversary last year.

Anor renowned face spotted by Weibo users in China’s propaganda video is Wu’s wife, Xie Nan who reportedly rose to fame in a 2007 drama series, Jian Xing Tian Xia. She is also known for her prominent roles in A Chinese Odyssey Part Three, Faces of My Gene, and  Day We Lit Up Sky. 

Team of directors and junior actors seen at ‘shooting’ spot with PLA member

users on Chinese social media platform, according to media reports, have said that a team of directors and junior actors arrived at ‘shooting’ spot along with Wu, Xie and some PLA members on 24 December 2021 to enact entire ceremony. It reportedly took four hours for shooting to take place in December before video was released on 1 January. Media reports have stated that shortly after names of Chinese actors were revealed by Weibo users with screenshots, accounts of celebrities were suspended. 

It is to note that three days after China released video,  pictures have emerged of a group of Indian Army soldiers proudly hoisting tricolour in Galwan Valley on New Year's Day. photos released by Union Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju on 4 January were seen as a powerful counter to video shared by Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece Global Times on 1 January. 

India-China 2020 clash at Galwan

Under Border Peace and Tranquility Agreement of 1993, while China and India h agreed to confidence-building measures (CBMs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs) on Line of Actual Control (LAC), Beijing has continued to develop infrastructure along border.

Both sides h committed to not change status quo before border dispute was settled. But, in May 2020, Chinese and Indian troops engaged in aggressive face-offs along Sino-Indian border and near disputed Pangong Lake in Lakh and Tibet Autonomous Region.

(Image: AP/Republic)