Officials have said sarcastic quips like “This is all America’s fault” would be treated as unacceptable criticism of the government.

An anonymous source said: “This habit of the central authorities of blaming the wrong country when a problem’s cause obviously lies elsewhere has led citizens to mock the party.”

Another, more direct expression “A fool who cannot see the outside world,” is apparently doing the rounds too.

It came about when the leader failed to attend celebrations marking the end of World War Two.