Nifty, I read Xinhua (admittedly the English version) as part of my job. So I'm well aware of what Chinese media outlets can get up to. Honestly, its not markedly different from the rest of Asia even tens years ago (and some parts still Vietnam et. al) so I'm not all that bothered. And the silence would seem to follow established patterns for Chinese media right?
How's the situation on the ground? I'm guessing there hasn't been that much of a difference.