When the image first appeared online, Chinese netizens began posting photos of Xi in, what they considered, similar poses. Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, on the left, have been compared to Chinese President Xi Jinping and former US leader Barack Obama. Users have also found a set of animated emojis featuring Pooh Bear and his friends removed from the platform. Up to Tuesday evening, the censors also banned users from posting the phrase "Winnie the Pooh" in Chinese in any comments. Possible reasonSome internet users have pointed to a poignant recent photo as a possible trigger for the latest restrictions.

Source: CNN July 18, 2017 19:30 UTC