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Online Furor Over Lu Xun Smoking Mural After Tourist Deems Image Inappropriate

A tourist’s call to replace the image over youth impact triggered a broader debate on presentism versus China’s smoking norms.

Overview

  • The mural in Shaoxing shows Lu Xun with a cigarette at a well-known photo spot near his former home and memorial hall.
  • A woman disclosed on social media in August that she asked local authorities to replace the mural, arguing it could mislead young people.
  • Her complaint drew widespread online criticism, with many users rejecting judgments of historical figures by contemporary standards.
  • Chinese media commentary linked the dispute to concerns over entrenched smoking culture and a growing trend of public complaints described as a 'complaint culture.'
  • As of mid-October 2025, reports do not confirm any official decision to remove or replace the mural despite calls for action.