The Little Pink are different from members of the 50 Cent Party or Internet Water Army, as the Little Pink are not known to be paid for their work. In terms of demographics, according to Zhuang Pinghui of South China Morning Post, 83% of the Little Pink are female, with most of them between 18 and 24 years old. More than half of the Little Pink are from third- and fourth-tier cities in China.[4] They are primarily active on social media sites banned in China such as Twitter and Instagram.[5] They have been compared to the Red Guards of the Cultural Revolution.[6]
History
The term Little Pink originated on the website Jinjiang Literature City [zh] (晋江文学城), when a group of users kept strongly criticizing people who published posts containing negative news about China.[7][8] Within Jinjiang Literature City, this group became known as the "Jinjiang Girl Group Concerned for the Country", or the Little Pink, which was the main color of the website's front page.[4][5]
In the first days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Little Pink drew international attention for their role in contributing to the mostly pro-war, pro-Russia sentiments on the Chinese internet.[9]
In October 2021, the Little Pink were the subject of criticism by the satirical song "Fragile" by Malaysian singer Namewee and Australian singer Kimberley Chen.[10] A commentary in the South China Morning Post opined that in response to the song, the Little Pink should have reflected on the dangers of their fervent nationalism, instead of "pouring out vitriol at the rapper, song and supporters". The commentary compared their path and its dangers to the one taken by supporters of Donald Trump in the January 6 United States Capitol attack.[11]
