The following thesis examines censorship, self-censorship, the world of literature and an author's relationship to them in the process of writing. I research the different existing definitions of censorship and evaluate the connections between them and I follow with listing some examples of literature censorship in repressive regimes and different ways of how authors face them. Then, I focus on the specifics of Chinese censorship and explain them with examples from Chinese literature world and publishing world. I further take into focus the literary genre of science fiction as a means of self-censorship. I research the questions of why and to which extent science fiction has the ability of social criticism, especially in a repressive environment, as well as what is the attitude of Chinese authorities, Chinese authors and readership or market in the context of censorship. I find out that there are many difficulties the Chinese authors face and that it is crucial for them to be trying to find balance between different ways of adapting. Through analysis and interpretation of one of the Chinese most prominent science fiction authors Liu Cixin, I conclude that no matter the oppression, there still are ways to transfer one's wished message in one's literary work – but one has to be aware that this message varies from author to author, and is not necessarily a hidden social or other kind of critique.
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