Last Friday, a newspaper editorial musing on the missing artist Ai Weiwei was blocked online. The editorial, which was appeared in the Southern Metropolis Daily, marked the third anniversary of the Sichuan earthquake, an event that Ai investigated. The Guardian translated part of the editorial that reflected on Ai and the deaths of schoolchildren in the disaster:

On the day of mourning we called them home and wished them peace. We gathered together all the human evidence of them we could. We read their names together … We did so much, and yet we did too little … We can but present the steel zodiac, offer up porcelain sunflower seeds, symbolic memorials to your lives once so tangible.

The sunflower seeds clearly refer to Ai’s ongoing installation at Tate Modern. David Bandurski, editor of China Media Project pointed out that in a bold move, one of China news portals, Tencent, had republished the editorial on their online editorial pages. But today (May 16) the editorial can no longer be found on the site.

Last night Lu Qing, Ai’s wife, was taken to an undisclosed location and allowed to see her husband. During the 15 minute conversation she received assurances that Ai has access to his diabetes medication and is receiving regular food and care. He wasn’t in handcuffs and despite the fact that prisoners are usually shaved he still has his signature beard.