Thread by @jinpeili

CCTV FOLLIES 12.08 King for a day
-Xi descends from the sky to alight in Saudi Arabia
-Full ceremonials and pomp fit for a king
-In Xi's absence, Li Keqiang is number one big boss
-Cai Qi also gets a whiff of glory
-Russia tells it like it is in Ukraine

In an opening reminiscent of "Triumph of the Will" the man of destiny gazes down upon the earth as his craft slowly descends towards its destination.

His jet is soon accompanied by other jets flying in tribute to his munificence, power and grace, letting loose streamers of smoke as the big jet lands in Riyadh.

The Visitor is anxiously awaited on the tarmac.

He appears.

Bugles blare, cannons roar, jets fly in formation, streaming smoke.

The paramount leader arrives in peace.

His own people applaud him vigorously. His hosts, not so much. They are content to watch with clasped hands.

He expounds knowledge everywhere he goes.
The limo has arrived.
Bodyguards follow it as it pulls away.

A motorcade of motorcycles leads the way.

Jets scream in jubilation overhead, emitting a two-tone rainbow in celebration.

And then it's time for those interminable, boilerplate speeches about Sino-Saudi amity, read out, word-for-word, in the Beijing studio.
Xi quotes prophet Mohammed:
“Seek knowledge even if you have to go as far as China."
Key takeaway: Xi encourages Saudis to study Chinese

Meanwhile, back in China, historians are exhorted to tell China's story well, as Xi wants it told, even if it means leaving out things, such as Tiananmen '89 or the big nationwide demonstrations last week.
The scholars appear less-than-fully aroused not at all amused.

Books are objects of devotion in China, not so much to read and spur thinking, but as decoration items to fill exhibit halls and ersatz bookstores.

Li Keqiang is looking chipper.
He's the highest ranking official in China at the moment.

That amazing chair makes it look like he's growing horns.

It's the happiest Li's looked in ages. He seems at ease.

Now it's his turn to expound without looking over his shoulder. In keeping with a pattern established by his boss, he talks, the others listen. And take notes.

Cai Qi, titular number five in CCP hierarchy, is similarly enjoying a moment of undivided attention.

In keeping with recent protocol, the top dog doesn't wear a mask but everyone else in the room does.

Covid controls are further optimized, in keeping with an almost perfect track record of always being right despite the apparent inconsistencies.
"We going to keep using the good methods we were using before..."

Numbers are down...
(fewer people are taking the tests)

Can you guess where this meeting is taking place?
On CCTV at least, Hong Kong is looking more and more like another provincial backwater.

Big day for Russia's hot dog top gun pilots flying over Ukraine at every imaginable angle.

Claim to have knocked out some of those danged HIMARS, too.

As usual, the CCTV update on Russia's special military operation provides no context and almost no information.
"Russia struck a rocket warehouse."
"Ukraine struck a Russian drone"

But it's CCTV....keeping it "fair and balanced"

A follow up report from Moscow after the pro-Moscow, Moscow-sourced presentation of Ukraine news.

And that's a wrap....

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