'Spreading False Theories and Harming the Nation': Man Publicly Criticizes the CCP

Female vendor takes loans to pay fines. Urban management enforces without permits. Traffic police issuing random fines causes outrage. Wuhan and Jiangsu merchants close shops in protest. All industries are waiting for death. Bosses flee. Companies shut down. Workers return to their hometowns. And the wave of jumping off bridges is increasing. Yu Gang uprising. Workers wage protests. Forced police retreat. Netizens applaud unity. Spreading false theories and harming China. Viral video of Chinese man's fierce criticism of the CCP. Welcome to Secret in China. We're excited to bring you the latest updates and insights from China. Stay tuned for all the details in today's program. In recent times, China's economic slowdown has led to widespread unemployment, social instability and an increased burden on the working class. Reports of unreasonable fines and harsh enforcement tactics by local authorities have surfaced, sparking outrage and protests among citizens. From street vendors struggling to pay fines to entire markets closing in protest, the situation underscores the challenges faced by those at the bottom of society. One of the most striking incidents involved a 50-year-old female street vendor in Zhenying. The woman was fined 50 yuan by city management officials, Chengguan, for unpaid bills. However, she only had 30 yuan on hand. Instead of offering leniency, the authorities demanded she borrow money to cover the fine. This incident went viral, with netizens criticizing the authorities for pushing already struggling citizens to the brink. Similar scenes are playing out across China. Videos on social media show Chengguan issuing fines without proper identification or permits when questioned they cannot provide credentials, leading to heated confrontations with the public. This type of aggressive enforcement extends beyond street vendors to other marginalized groups. In parks, Chengguan have been seen confiscating audio equipment from street performers, leaving them helpless and prompting applause from frustrated onlookers. Instances of law enforcement overreach are increasingly common. In some cases, officers enforce regulations in residential communities or even inside private homes. When challenged, they threaten to call emergency services, further escalating the situation. Citizens, aware of their rights, often resist these actions, questioning the legality of such enforcement. This reflects a growing distrust of local authorities and their motives. Delivery workers are also bearing the brunt of these enforcement tactics. A Shenzhen delivery driver reported being fined despite following all regulations, wearing a helmet, having a registered electric bike, and avoiding major roadways. However, police fined him using surveillance footage from previous days, accusing him of violating traffic laws retrospectively. This practice of retroactive fines highlights a new strategy by local authorities to generate revenue amid financial difficulties. Truck drivers are another group affected by these measures. Regulations stipulate that drivers must rest after four consecutive hours of driving. The Baidu navigation system monitors driving time and issues warnings when limits are exceeded. In one case, a driver parked in a service area to rest, only to be fined by police who woke him up. This incident sparked online outrage, with netizens questioning the logic of penalizing a driver for resting, as required by law. One netizen commented, If a driver is stuck in traffic for four hours and hasn't reached a rest area, should they stop in the middle of the road, just to avoid a fine? Such enforcement practices appear more focused on generating fines than ensuring safety. Amid the economic downturn, merchants in cities like Wuhan and Jiangsu are facing additional challenges. On November 28, 2024, entire markets closed in protest of government inspections targeting down jackets. In Wuhan's HANGS trade shop, once bustling with shoppers, the scene turned desolate as businesses shuttered their doors. This wave of closures reflects the desperation of small business owners struggling to stay afloat. The clothing industry, already battered by the economic crisis, faces a cascade of challenges. Vendors fear inspections, buyers hesitate to purchase goods, and factories lack orders. The result is a vicious cycle. Without sales, factories cannot pay workers, leading to further unemployment. In areas like Diazhuqiao and Fangcheng, wholesale markets have closed, effectively entering an early New Year shutdown mode. The collapse of the clothing industry parallels the real estate sector's decline. Some factory owners, unable to cope with mounting debts, have fled, leaving behind unpaid workers and unfulfilled orders. The ripple effects are devastating. Suppliers are left with unsold goods, workers lose their jobs, and entire industries grind to a halt. Kevin Slatton, head of China Dissident Monitor, noted that wage protests began earlier than usual in 2024, reflecting the severity of the economic crisis. Between July and September, 937 protests were recorded, with 41% related to labor disputes, an increase of 27% compared to 2023. The construction and automotive sectors are among the hardest hit. Many construction workers lack proper contracts, making them vulnerable to wage theft. Professor Shi Heling from Monash University's Business School highlighted the widespread issue of wage arrears in China's private sector. In the automotive industry, electric vehicle manufacturers face intense competition and operate at a loss. Suppliers, pressured to reduce prices and extend payment terms, struggle to pay their workers, perpetuating a cycle of debt and exploitation. Shi pointed out that Chinese workers lack avenues to seek justice. With no independent judiciary, labor unions or NGOs to support them, workers often resort to extreme measures to demand their wages. Violent confrontations with authorities, like those seen in Hunan and Guangxi, are a direct result of this systemic failure. As local governments scramble to address budget shortfalls, they increasingly rely on fines and inspections to generate revenue. This approach exacerbates social tensions and economic hardship. Vendors, delivery drivers, truckers, and small business owners all face an uphill battle. Each fine, inspection, and penalty pushes them closer to financial ruin. In conclusion, China's economic slowdown, coupled with harsh enforcement tactics, is driving many citizens to desperation. The systemic issues plaguing the workforce—unfair fines, arbitrary penalties, and lack of legal protection—reflect deeper problems within the country's governance. For China's working class, survival is an ongoing struggle, and the future remains uncertain. All industries are waiting for death. Bosses flee, companies shut down, workers return to their hometowns, and the wave of jumping off bridges is increasing. Factories are shutting down, and wages remain unpaid. How can businesses survive like this? It's 11 p.m., and not a single customer has shown up for late-night snacks. Just look around. So many people are searching for jobs. Who could have imagined unemployment would be this high? Dishonest factory owners have fled, leaving their workers stranded. The whole place is desolate. It's not that we aren't trying, or working hard. It's just that the streets are empty. There is a wave of closures across industries, from home renovation companies, restaurants, and the auto industry, to the financial sector. More and more people are losing their jobs. Many have noticed a strange phenomenon in Nanjing. Now, at many intersections, night market stalls are everywhere. Something that never used to happen. Why? Because the entire economic situation is incredibly bleak. A member of mine recently shared their experience. They were job hunting, and found that many office buildings were nearly empty, with hardly any companies left. The current situation is truly terrifying. Many of my friends have mentioned that their companies are laying off employees. If you don't accept a pay cut, you're told to leave. But many people still won't quit, because finding a job now is really difficult. A blogger lamented that people are constantly talking about consumption downgrade, but how far has it really gone? Watching the following video turned my understanding upside down. This is Beijing during lunchtime, when noodles and rice bowls, the cheapest and most filling meals, should be popular. But no one is buying anything. How can businesses survive? It's a bleak sight. There isn't a single customer. Meanwhile, manufacturing factories are closing en masse. In Guangzhou's garment industry, many factories have shut down, and workers have lost their jobs. Many garment workers have chosen to give up. Half of the workforce in Guangzhou has returned home. The same thing is happening in Wuhan. Many garment workers have gone back because their bosses couldn't hold on any longer. Recently, a viral online article described various industries as waiting for death, vividly portraying the economic decline and widespread business closures. The article calls it a death loop in the markets. Elderly people wait by fish stalls for fish to die so they can buy them at a lower price. This reflects the economic downturn, where the fish symbolize struggling businesses. As more fish die, more customers gather. Others wait for the vendor to chop up the fish and buy cheaper fish heads or tails. Even the fish in the tanks seem to be waiting for others to die first so they can be sold at a better price. Everyone is desperately clinging to survival. The article points out that in the past, only a few elderly people waited for dead fish. But now, so many people do it that the market's balance has been disrupted. If fish vendors can't make money, how will they afford stall fees? If they stop paying fees, what happens next? People say that every year, many factory owners flee, but most wait until the end of the year. This year has been the worst. The exodus of business owners started earlier and the numbers are likely to reach record highs. Across various industries, both large and small factories have seen their owners disappear. Mr. Gu, a resident of Hangzhou, said that many factory owners have lost everything, unemployment is high, and ordinary people have no money. The government doesn't care, society feels broken. Zhang Fan, a factory owner in Wuhan, expressed how difficult things have become. It's a chaotic mess, a living hell. There are more and more incidents of bridge jumping. If something happens, the internet in that area is cut off to prevent news from spreading. It's truly a human disaster. An older woman in her 50s or 60s is now delivering food. Everyone seems to be entering this industry. I can only make between 10 to 20 yuan an hour. If I work nonstop all day, I might make 300 yuan, about 41 USD. You ride for 13-14 hours straight. Apart from rush hour, the streets are almost empty. There are hardly any people going into shops and the retail business is dead. Do you see any hope for the future? There's none. In all my years of life, since China's reform and opening up in 1979, 2024 is undoubtedly the worst year. Hospitals are also experiencing a wave of closures. Research shows that in 2024, over 500 hospitals have shut down, including public hospitals. Many hospitals are losing money and delaying salaries. In Heilongjiang, Mr. Zhang revealed that three years of pandemic lockdowns drained the medical insurance fund. The entire health care system is in a financial crisis. Everyone is struggling. We are experiencing, or may continue to experience for a long time, a severe economic winter. Huguan uprising workers wage protests, force police retreat. Netizens applaud unity. China's worsening economic challenges in recent years have left many workers unpaid, resulting in increasing frustration and violent protests. Recently, significant wage-related uprisings in Hunan and Guangxi saw riot police overwhelmed and fleeing in panic after being disarmed by protesters. The determination and bravery displayed by these workers have earned widespread admiration from netizens. According to Taiwan-based media outlet New Talk, violent wage protests broke out in Hunan's Gaidong County, Qianzhou and Guangxi's Zhongshan County, Hezhou. In both cases, riot police were dispatched to suppress the protests but faced fierce resistance. The confrontations quickly escalated, and the police were forced to retreat, with some officers hiding in police vehicles to escape the crowds. In Gaidong County, migrant workers protesting for unpaid wages clashed with riot police. Armed with iron rods, the workers chased the police who fled in disarray. Some workers even picked up the shields discarded by the police and used them defensively. Twitter user Daniel Fang highlighted the incident, stating, When protesters stand together, they can drive away the government's lackeys and reclaim their rightful wages videos of the incidents circulated online, but were later removed by authorities. Similarly, in Zhongshan County, Hezhou, workers took to the streets demanding overdue payments from employers. Riot police arrived to disperse the crowd, but the workers, also armed with iron rods, fought back. The confrontation ended with police officers retreating and hiding in their vehicles. Ultimately, the workers successfully reclaimed their wages and returned home to celebrate the new year. These events sparked significant online discussion and support. Veteran journalist Zhao Longjian remarked that public security bureaus, prosecutors and courts have failed under the Chinese Communist Party's leadership. He noted that, in the absence of legal recourse, workers have no choice but to rely on their own strength to demand justice. He described these protests as justified and expressed hope that workers would continue to reclaim their rights. Netizens were quick to voice their support. Migrant workers just want their hard-earned money. If you don't provide a solution, they'll create one for you. When people at the bottom of society are pushed too far, they will fight back desperately. The only way to deal with oppression is to resist. Kneeling down will only make you a target. These workers are truly brave. Some speculated that these protests reflect the weakening grip of the government. The regime is sustained by the fear of the lower classes. When fear disappears, the regime collapses. Zhang Xiuquan's followers conquered half of China because they were fearless in the face of death. The rise in wage protests highlights deeper economic issues. According to Voice of America, Kevin Slayton, director of China Dissident Monitor, reported that protests began earlier in 2024, starting in September and October. Between July and September alone, 937 protests were recorded, with 41 percent related to labor disputes, an increase of 27 percent compared to the previous year. Slayton pointed to China's real estate crisis as a major factor contributing to wage arrears. Major developers like Country Garden and Sunac are struggling with debt, leading to numerous unfinished construction projects. Since the real estate sector accounts for a quarter of China's economy, its decline has affected industries nationwide. Professor Shi Hailing of Monash University's business school noted that wage arrears are prevalent across multiple sectors, particularly construction, automotive, and export industries. Construction workers, often lacking proper contract protections, are especially vulnerable to wage theft. The aggressive push for electric vehicle production has led to financial strain, with automakers delaying payments to suppliers, who then cannot pay their employees. Shi emphasized that Chinese workers lack avenues for addressing grievances. The absence of independent judicial systems, labor unions and NGOs leaves workers with no choice but to resort to extreme measures. The violent protests in 2024 illustrate the urgent need for effective mechanisms to address social injustice. The recent wage protests in Hunan and Guangxi reflect the growing economic and social instability in China. As workers face worsening conditions and unpaid wages, confrontations with authorities are becoming more frequent. Without substantial reforms and protections for workers, these protests are likely to continue, revealing the deep-seated vulnerabilities in China's economic system, spreading false theories and harming China viral video of Chinese man's fierce criticism of the CCP. A recent viral video featuring a Chinese man passionately denouncing the Chinese Communist Party's CCP in classical Chinese has sparked intense debate online. His fiery critique, highlighting societal grievances and the plight of the common people, resonated widely before being swiftly removed from platforms in mainland China. On December 9, this unnamed man posted a video expressing deep frustration with the CCP. In eloquent classical Chinese, he condemned the party for spreading false doctrines and causing harm to the nation. He painted a bleak picture of contemporary Chinese society lamenting 800 million in debt, tens of millions lying flat, barely scraping by. The man accused the government of oppressing its own people, comparing the regime to a thief in the house who deceives and oppresses the vulnerable. He criticized the adoption of Marxist ideology, referring to it as bearded doctrines, and blamed it for fabricating false histories and plunging generations into turmoil. He vividly described the economic despair caused by three years of lockdowns, leading to declining industries, mass layoffs, and the closure of small businesses. Millions of students study hard only to graduate into unemployment, he lamented. He painted a picture of middle-aged and elderly men resorting to driving-ride hail cars or selling street goods for meager earnings, only to face relentless fines from authorities. You enjoy free homes and jobs of leisure, while we labor until death, earning less in a lifetime than you steal in a day, he exclaimed, condemning the lavish lifestyles of officials in contrast to the suffering of ordinary citizens. He pointed out how students pay exorbitant prices for poor-quality food, while corrupt food safety inspectors betray public trust. The man criticized the disparity in pensions, noting that while officials receive tens of thousands, farmers struggle to receive even 3,000 yuan. Despite this, the government shamelessly claims to serve the people. He condemned the hypocrisy of officials who revel in luxury while the people endure hunger, beatings, and indignity. His message concluded with a stark warning to the ruling elite when you die, can you guarantee your descendants will always hold power? If they lose power, they will suffer just like the common people do. He referenced historical figures like Shang Yang and Qin Hui, warning that one day the oppressed would rise to seek justice. The video struck a chord with many netizens, sparking widespread discussion and support. Social media user Song Feng praised the clever use of the phrase bearded doctrines to criticize Marxism, noting that both Marx and Engels had beards, and that beard is also slang for bandits in Chinese culture. Another user, Nightwatchman, reflected on the long history of resistance against CCP rule for over 70 years. Countless people have resisted tyranny, often sacrificing their lives. Though many efforts ended in failure, the spirit of the Chinese people remains unbroken. Other netizens expressed a mix of sadness and anger. I started laughing while listening but ended up crying. All officials revel in luxury while the people suffer terribly. He speaks the truth. Hitting the mark. Take your head how fitting. The truth is the enemy of tyranny. A single piece of classical Chinese sums up the CCP's history from 1921 to today. Some sarcastically noted the disconnect between reality and official rhetoric, this is the country the CCP's foreign ministry spokesperson claims everyone envies. The man's video reflects the growing frustration among many Chinese citizens over economic hardship, corruption, and social injustice. While the CCP has suppressed such expressions by removing the video from Chinese platforms, the message continues to spread through other channels, highlighting the resilience of dissenting voices. The incident underscores the widening gap between the ruling elite and the common people. As economic challenges persist and social discontent deepens, such acts of defiance are likely to continue, serving as a reminder of the underlying tensions in Chinese society. Alright, that's all for today's news. Please remember to like, subscribe, leave a comment and share this with your friends. Thank you for your support. See you in the next episode. Transcribed by https://otter.ai