Think We’ve Got Problems?

SHANGHAI — Companies looking to reach China's consumer market with pig images during Year of the Pig celebrations next month will have to adjust after a national television network adopted a policy to be sensitive to the country's small Muslim population, according to published reports.

CCTV's ad department said the regulations are intended to avoid offending Muslims, who consider pigs unclean animals. China's 20 million Muslims comprise less than 2 percent of the population, the Journal reported.

"China is a multiethnic country," the network said in a notice. "To show respect for Islam, and upon guidance from higher levels of the government, CCTV will keep any pig images off the screen."
Twenty million Muslims. Small by Chinese standards, I guess, but more than enough to get one’s mind right, it seems:

The new policy comes as a surprise move as Chinese authorities rarely advance concerns of minority groups over the broader population in the world's most populous country, the Journal reported.
So – what does it mean when the Chinese begin thinking they need to start sucking up to Muslims?

Does anyone share my vague feeling of disquiet about this?

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