The Popcorn Stand: Pooh-Pooh to you, China

China has gone too far. President Trump, you said China was “killing us” and you promised to do something about it. Well now, Mr. President, it’s time for you to take action.

What am I talking about. China’s manipulation of currency? Trade? Manufacturing? No. Mr. Trump, you must take China to task for its undermining of one of America’s greatest icons. Say it ain’t so China, say it ain’t so.

But I have to come to the realization it is so. China has banned Winnie-the-Pooh. That’s right, the lovable character who has done nothing to China — let alone anybody — who has made hundreds of millions of kid, including yours truly, so happy, has been banned by that country.

Now this is an international crisis that needs to be dealt with. Trump needs to form some kind of special commission to deal with this. This cannot stand. Every patriotic American must let China know this is unacceptable.

Chinese censors have blocked mentions of Winnie-the-Pooh on social media after photos comparing the bear to President Xi Jinping went viral.

Actually this is the time of the year in which online censorship in China increases ahead of the Community Party Congress in which key political appointments are announced. Qiao Mu, an assistant professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University, has said two things haven’t been allowed in the past ahead of the Community Party Congress, political organizing and political action. Mu said it seems talking about the president has been added to the list, so it looks like Winnie-the-Pooh has just been caught in the middle.

I don’t care. Nobody should mess with The Pooh.

So Pooh-Pooh to you, China.

— Charles Whisnand