Faced with rising social frustrations and public unrest, China’s leadership is intensifying security measures and suppressing dissenting perspectives about the state of the nation's economy. This growing tension, punctuated by recent violent attacks—including mass stabbings and car-ramming incidents—has left officials and citizens alike increasingly on edge, as concerns mount over how stagnated economic growth is contributing to societal discord.
Over the past several weeks, China has witnessed several alarming violent incidents, alarming citizens and officials and leading to broader public protests over pressing economic grievances. The Chinese Communist Party’s security czar has emphasized the necessity to swiftly address grassroots conflicts, aiming to prevent escalation and maintain public order. "Strictly prevent extreme cases from happening," urged the top prosecutor, highlighting efforts toward safeguarding rights for low-income workers and vulnerable populations such as the elderly.
The Communist Party's response involves fanning out across communities to identify individuals experiencing financial hardship or emotional distress, assessing potential risks to the stability of public order. Notably, educational institutions have ramped up security measures, including deploying paramilitary troops at schools to safeguard students following attacks targeting educational settings.
Recent incidents of violence include the tragic car attack on November 11th, which resulted in 35 fatalities at a sports venue, and another knife attack at a vocational college, where eight lives were lost. The police suggested these perpetrators were acting out of personal discontent, exacerbated by broader economic woes.
Meanwhile, digital censorship has become increasingly prevalent, as authorities suppress commentary surrounding China's economic challenges. Reports indicate guidelines are enforced to mitigate honest assessments of the economy among economists, leading to significant online conversations being scrubbed from social media platforms. For example, remarks from economists warning about the consequences of uninhibited self-policing within the economic discourse have been met with silencing tactics.
Academics and activists monitoring protests across China report more than 7,000 instances of public unrest over the last couple of years. A recent spike noted 435 protests just this October, marking the highest monthly count yet recorded. The disturbing trend establishes economic grievances as primary drivers of public dissent, particularly issues related to unpaid wages and stalled housing projects.
With millions of young professionals struggling to find stable employment and the value of properties plummeting, frustration has reached unprecedented levels. Disillusionment among the young and middle classes signals grave concerns for the Communist Party, as growing unrest indicates the political and economic foundations upon which its legitimacy rests are showing strains.
Christian Göbel, a professor from the University of Vienna who specializes in state-society relations, emphasized, "If the party cannot protect its people and cannot make the economy grow—and these are two things it has placed its legitimacy on—there is a problem for the party." He warned of the risks posed by societal collapse, which complicates efforts to bolster national resilience against growing tensions with Western nations.
China's leadership echoes these sentiments, as Li Zheng, vice president of the Central University of Finance and Economics, cautioned about the unparalleled challenges facing development during remarks delivered earlier this month. He reiterated the need to keep the development secure amid rising public concerns, pushing for more substantial efforts to stabilize the economy.
The government is facing wounds it inflicted upon itself through years of suppressing dissent and regulating public discourse. Activist Kevin Slaten of the Freedom House claims, "The party may choose to make greater use of a powerful repressive apparatus… but...that too carries risk of backlash." The precarious balance the Communist Party must maintain between repression and public perception could rapidly tilt as social conditions continue to deteriorate.
More than just the economic frustrations are at play, as personal violations stemming from deteriorated living conditions have ignited anger among citizens. Gao Shanwen, chief economist at SDIC Securities, poignantly stated, "Young people are scrimping on clothing and food, turning off the lights and eating noodles," adding to the narrative of despair felt among many as economic opportunities dwindle.
Heightened security measures throughout urban landscapes are now commonplace, with concrete barriers and armed personnel becoming fixtures at places like schools and public venues, ostensibly to deter any potential violence fueled by desperation.
While economic concerns escalate, Beijing is also wary of the forthcoming political climate as Donald Trump’s impending return to the U.S. presidency could exacerbate China's economic woes through expected tariff increases on imports—a chilling reminder of how interlinked global dynamics can impact internal stability.
China is caught between fortifying its narrative of development and addressing the undeniable unrest permeated by economic fatigue. The lead-up to reform is shrouded by apprehensions about backlash if discontent continues to mount, illustrating the core dilemmas facing the nation's leaders at this precarious juncture.
