China Cracks Down on Viral Hoax Claiming Tang Dynasty Never Existed
State media labels the conspiracy theory 'historical nihilism' after it garnered millions of views on Weibo.
A viral conspiracy theory claiming that the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) never existed has sparked a significant crackdown by Chinese authorities. The hoax, which gained massive traction on social media, prompted the government to block the primary influencer behind the claims and condemn the movement as a threat to national identity.
The controversy began in May when history influencer Qiao Yu used astrological data to argue that the Tang Dynasty was a fabrication and that the subsequent Song Dynasty actually began much earlier than traditionally accepted. The claim resonated deeply with a segment of the internet, with the hashtag "the Tang dynasty doesn't exist" garnering tens of millions of views on the platform Weibo. The movement grew so influential that some followers demanded the closure of tourism sites in Xi'an, the ancient capital of the Tang.
The Battle Over History
The Tang Dynasty is widely regarded as a golden age of Chinese culture and territorial expansion. However, the dynasty's founding emperor was not of Han ethnicity, a fact that has historically made the era a target for certain Chinese nationalists who favor the Han-origin Song Dynasty. Under President Xi Jinping, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has increasingly tightened its grip on historical narratives to ensure a unified vision of national identity and cultural continuity.
State-affiliated outlets, including The Paper and the People's Daily, responded to the hoax by labeling it "historical nihilism." This specific term is used by the CCP to describe research or public discussions that challenge the official state version of history. In a stern editorial, the People's Daily warned that "once young people begin to doubt our national history, our cultural confidence will become like water without a source or a tree without roots."
Political Implications
The incident underscores the volatility of internet-driven misinformation and the sensitivity of the Chinese state toward any narrative that undermines a unified civilization. By framing an absurd historical claim as a political threat, the government has signaled that the integrity of the official timeline is paramount to state security. William Kirby, a professor of China studies at Harvard University, described the claims as "basically insane," noting that the existence of the Tang Dynasty is an established historical fact.
State Response
By mid-August, the state's response culminated in the removal of Qiao Yu's videos and the blocking of his social media accounts. While the primary source of the misinformation has been silenced, the episode reveals a persistent tension between state-mandated history and a digital landscape where fringe theories can rapidly scale. Observers suggest the movement may also reflect a broader undercurrent of disillusionment among Chinese youth toward established authorities, though the state continues to treat the matter strictly as a violation of historical truth.