BEIJING – Unamused Chinese censors have been at work to stop people sniggering over the new Beijing headquarters of the People's Daily newspaper, which bear an unfortunate resemblance to a giant penis.

Photos of the imposing tower, which is still under construction, had Internet users tittering away, especially given one of Beijing's other landmarks – the China Central Television (CCTV) headquarters, nicknamed "The Big Underpants".

Some comments about the new home for the paper managed to sneak through. "Of course the national mouthpiece should be imposing," said one user of Sina Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter.

"It seems the People's Daily is going to rise up, there's hope for the Chinese dream," said another, referring to a political slogan that has been used in recent months to encourage national pride and rejuvenation.

But a search on Sina Weibo for "People's Daily" and "building" resulted in the message usually shown when keywords have been blocked: "In accordance with relevant laws, regulations and policies, search results cannot be displayed."

The People's Daily is the official mouthpiece of the Chinese ruling party, whose vast propaganda and censorship machine tightly controls print, online and any other form of media.