article_snippet: Supporters and detractors of Chai, a famous former anchor and reporter at state-run national broadcaster CCTV, began a war of words almost immediately after the video's release on February 28.
article_snippet: The new environment minister's initial response to the video -- in the form of a widely reported text message of gratitude to Chai -- reinforced some doubts over Chai's claim of editorial independence for Chai self-funded project.
article_snippet: With Chai's viral video also encountering an iron hand, analysts explained that the seeming contradiction makes perfect sense in a one-party dictatorship with little tolerance for open dissent.
article_snippet: Chai's viral video doesn't do that but comments on Chai's viral video had started to question the system."
article_snippet: "I think Chai's viral video caught censors off guard," he added, dismissing the idea that Chai's viral video fate reflected infighting among China's senior leaders.