The China Worldcon finally released a progress report, much later in the cycle than normal. The prospect of heavy Western attendance at the con is dead, but I’d like to focus here on the Code of Conduct, and in particular on the speech-related rules. The PR says:

Discrimination (based on but not limited to, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation,
gender identity, neuro-diversity, physical appearance, body size, or physical/mental disability) will
not be tolerated. Racism and politicization are where discrimination prevails.
 

Any acts of aggression, contempt, indifference or offensive words and abusive behavior are
unacceptable, such as judging people of color as less knowledgeable about fannish topics, or
provoking unrelated political topics to attack people of different beliefs. [Emphasis added]

The list of prohibited behaviors includes “comments that belittle or demean others” and “Costumes/Cosplay that are historically or otherwise offensive.”

Some of this is familiar. I’ve previously discussed Balticon’s humiliating treatment of Stephanie Burke. Balticon bans “derogatory comments about a person, group, or category of people.” Political discussions often lead to derogatory comments about politicians, business executives, or news sources. It’s a safe bet that the risk of trouble from making such comments depends on whether they agree with the concom’s prevailing views.

But Chengdu takes it a step further, making it explicit that political discussion can be punished. What constitutes an “unrelated” political topic? Who will decide?

Maybe it’s safer just to say, “I don’t care.” But “indifference” is explicitly prohibited. The rules are stacked so that anyone can be punished. Speak out, and you’ve raised an “unrelated political topic.” Decline to speak, and you’re “indifferent.”

The stakes are higher, too. The worst that a US con can do is kick you out, smear you, and humiliate you. Get expelled from a con in China, and you might come to the government’s attention. Wearing a “Xi the Pooh” costume in China would be recklessly stupid in any case, but it doesn’t help that the concom would be an active participant in bringing trouble down on anyone who tries.

Not that following the listed rules, even if you can, will guarantee your safety. The concom adds this: “The convention reserves the right to amend these rules at any time without prior or posted notice and the right of interpretation.” If all else fails, they can come after you for violating secret rules.