Crazy Crab's Chinese Dream

Hexie Farm (蟹农场) is the name of a series of political cartoons created by an anonymous Chinese cartoonist under the pen name Crazy Crab (疯蟹). His drawings quickly gained a large following online for their unique blend of satire, wit, and razor-sharp commentary on current events in China and beyond. Crazy Crab uses visual references to traditional fairy tales, George Orwell, and political propaganda slogans to critique China’s leadership.


Crazy Crab’s Chinese Dream: Political Cartoons 2012-2013 includes 40 images drawn exclusively for China Digital Times, with explanatory text written by Executive Editor Sophie Beach.


“I hope to make change, to draw something that we have never thought about, or dared to draw, before,” Crazy Crab tells China Digital Times. “I also want to use cartoons to… spread some question marks in the censorship system.”


All cartoons in the eBook were drawn between February 2012 and September 2013, when Crazy Crab was a contributing cartoonist for China Digital Times. His drawings covered a busy period in Chinese political history, from the downfall of former Chongqing Party Chief Bo Xilai to the transition of power from Hu Jintao to Xi Jinping.