Wife of Chinese president sends out an Instagram post on the same day China blocks Instagram

(Update: as writer Fergus Ryan noted on Twitter, it’s possible that this account isn’t actually affiliated with Peng Liyuan, and there’s no way we can confirm the identity of its user. So put your irony hat on as you read the story below).

A word to the wise: if you’re a high-profile political figure in China, don’t use the social media tools your government blocks.

Yesterday Peng Liyuan, the wife of president Xi Jinping, sent out an Instagram post containing a photo of herself and her husband. Though Peng has long been a keen Instagram user in the People’s Republic of China, this particular post couldn’t have come at a worse time. Early yesterday morning, Chinese internet users started to report they were unable to access the popular photo-sharing app – indicating that Beijing authorities likely implemented a block in the wake of protests in Hong Kong.

Not surprisingly, users were quick to point out the irony. Some commenters wrote rallying cries for the demonstrations accompanied with an #occupycentral hashtag. Others asked Peng if she was using a VPN to access Instagram.

Most of Peng’s posts generate about 300 likes and 25 comments. To date, this one has generated over 1,000 likes and 1,500 comments.

It’s not unusual for Great Firewall blocks to be patchy and inconsistent. When reports of a block on Japanese messaging app Line first surfaced, some users in mainland China claimed they couldn’t send text, while others claimed to have no trouble at all. Since we know neither the exact timing of the post nor the exact timing of the block, it’s not clear if Peng used Instagram via VPN, sent a message before the block, or managed to squeeze through a pore.

Whatever the case, expect Peng’s Instagram feed to come to a grinding halt from here on out.

(We extend a hat-tip to Paul Mozur of The New York Times for spotting this).

Editing by Steven Millward; top image via Flickr user Apec2013