Chinese netizens responded to the Queen’s death by expressing their sympathy, with many lamenting the “end of an era,” though turning to humor and political frustration at their own leadership.
“She had a legendary and glorious life,” commented one Weibo user. “I hope she can rest in peace.”
“In my memory, she was still a lovely grandma who always wore colorful suits and umbrellas,” reads another post.
The Queen’s death has also provided an opportunity for Chinese netizens to express their political views.
“The kingdom where the sun never sets has finally seen the sun set. She was the last symbol of colonialism,” said one Weibo user.
Others called on Chinese compatriots to commemorate Mao Zedong, who died on September 9, 1976.
Not long after news of the Queen’s death broke, hundreds of netizens posted a phrase reading “The one who was supposed to die didn’t die,” an implicit criticism of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Censors were quick to delete similar posts, including some that mentioned a song by Malaysian singer Fish Leong titled “It’s a Shame It’s Not You.”
Netflix series The crownfollowing the life of the Queen trended on Douban, a media database similar to film listing platform IMDb, and ranked as the second most popular TV programme.
Hu Xijin, a former editor and columnist for the nationalist tabloid Global Times, took to Twitter to pay his respects to the former monarch.
“I want to pay my respects to the late Queen Elizabeth. I wish her rest in peace. She is friendly to China and in my opinion she has preserved Britain’s last dignity,” he wrote, adding that he recalls the Queen never saying “or doing anything to upset the Chinese”.
