What does the cryptic crossword clue "Shy literary bear, do we hear, or beaver-like rodent? (5)" mean?

The definition is "beaver-like rodent". The wordplay uses a homophone (sounds like). COY sounds like [Winnie the] Pooh, the lovable character created by Milne reference to whom is verboten in Communist China. Totalitarian states may always be identified by their lack of humour and their censorship. The answer is COYPU.

Shy literary bear, do we hear, or beaver-like rodent? (5)

Times Cryptic #28717 | 19 Across | 2023-09-25 flower

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