Photo/Illutration Fang Fang, author of “Wuhan Diary” (Provided by Fang Fang)

WUHAN, China--The author of a blog that wowed millions of readers with her chronicle of daily life in this city under “lockdown” has found herself muzzled as publishers are now refusing to release her latest novel and other works already contracted for release.

“I face cold violence by the state,” Fang Fang, 65, said in a statement she sent to The Asahi Shimbun.

Fang Fang vividly illustrated her daily activities and feelings about society while the city in central Hubei province was cut off from the outside world for three months following the initial novel coronavirus outbreak.

Her observations clearly rattled the authorities.

“I do not want to think this situation will continue for a long period, but currently have no choice but to wait patiently for the cold violence to come to an end,” her statement added.

Fang Fang said no explanation had been given for the decision to block the release of her works.

“Publishing houses across the nation suddenly stopped issuing my books,” she said. “It is natural that authorities have exerted pressure on them by some means.”

From Jan. 25, immediately after Wuhan was plunged into a lockdown, until March 24, Fang Fang posted entries on a daily basis in her blog that became known as “Wuhan Diary.” It emotionally portrayed the tense atmosphere of the city and how she felt about a friend’s death from the virus.

Reflecting her doubts and criticism about the government’s handling of the crisis, the 60-entry blog was praised as “telling the truth of Wuhan,” and is estimated to have attracted more than 100 million readers in and outside China.

UNDER FIRE OVER TRANSLATION

But the wind shifted in April after it was announced that “Wuhan Diary” would be published in the United States, Europe and elsewhere outside China.

Internet bulletin boards were suddenly full of vitriol. One post accused Fang Fang of “spreading China’s shame in foreign countries” and another called her a “traitor.”

“Wuhan Diary” was issued in the United States, Britain, Germany and France as well as Japan.

Although there were plans in China to publish the work, a source in the Chinese publishing industry said a rumor started circulating in April that “all books from the U.S. publisher that pitches ‘Wuhan Diary’ will be banned from sales in China.”

As a result, the plan was dropped whereas sales of the U.S. company’s works were not suspended.

“Publishers withdraw from releasing Fang Fang’s creations because they fear the authorities may closely watch them,” said the source.

In her written reply, Fang Fang explained what she thinks of the latest circumstances.

“Online slanders still continue emerging as in the past, but they are not so problematic as I can ignore them,” she wrote. “However, I find it regrettable and sad from my heart as a writer that I cannot pitch even a single book.”

“Is it unforgivable for an individual to write everything she feels in her confined life?” Fang Fang continued. “Is it inappropriate to sympathize with sick and dead people? Is kind criticism over the government’s improper countermeasures unacceptable?”

AUTHORITIES TOO NERVOUS

In Wuhan, no new infections have been confirmed outside medical centers since June. High-rises along the mighty Yangtze river are lit up each evening and the downtown night market is thronged with residents and sightseers.

While social media sites are flooded with words of admiration and appreciation for the government’s efforts to rein in the virus, posts referring to errors in the state’s initial responses or the way the authorities swept some information under the carpet are promptly deleted.

Fang Fang questioned the climate of meaningful discourse in China.

“Why has our space of debate become so narrow?” she said. “The new coronavirus infection is totally under control in China. What is it (China) scared of, despite that?”

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