‘Free speech absolutist’ Elon Musk pursues ‘like-minded Chinese partners’ in column for China’s online censor

The 51-year-old SpaceX founder claimed he was invited earlier this year by China Wangxin, the magazine of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), to write an article about his “thoughts on the vision of technology and humanity.”

Titled “Believe in technology, create a better future,” Musk celebrates the success of his business endeavors, particularly SpaceX, Tesla and Neuralink, in the lengthy article published in the magazine’s fourth issue in July.

Musk, who describes himself as a “free speech absolutist,” became the first foreigner to write for the CAC’s magazine, which typically features pieces written by professors, government officials and state-owned enterprise executives. Free speech absolutism dates back to the 17th century, but it was not until the 20th century when it was “discussed as a defined principle” by Alexander Meiklejohn, a free speech advocate and a philosopher.

Musk made headlines in April after he announced his plans to buy Twitter for $44 billion, hoping to turn the social media platform into a free speech “town square” – a seemingly direct contrast to his recent decision to write for China’s online censor.

In April 2021, the CAC launched a hotline so that people could report fellow internet users who attack the ruling Communist Party and defame national heroes.