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Professors from Top Chinese University Allegedly Call to End CCP Rule

On April 28, a manifesto allegedly co-authored by Lin Ying, Dean of the School of Bioscience and Bioengineering at South China University of Technology, and Han Shuangyan, Dean’s Assistant, circulated online, calling on Chinese citizens and young students to “stand up against the regime that oppresses us and deprives us of our human rights, and fight for democracy and freedom!”

The manifesto made points about:

  • “Xi Jinping’s Reappointment: The Endless Continuation of One-Party Rule”
  • “Recent Events: Intensifying Hardship and Oppression Among the People”
  • “The Zero-COVID Policy and Public Anger”
  • “The ‘996’ Work Schedule and Youth Struggles” {Editor’s Note: ‘996’ refers to a common abuse of Chinese white-collar workers, who have to work from 9am to 9pm for 6 days every week.}

The manifesto states “If you do not stand up today, you may become another victim of history tomorrow. Now is the time for your voices to be heard! You must not only call for freedom, democracy, and justice, but also fight for a future where you can think, choose, and speak freely.”

Demands from the document include:

  1. Ending one-party rule and implementing democratic elections.
  2. Restoring freedom of speech and ensuring freedom of the press.
  3. Improving livelihoods and achieving a fair society.
  4. Establishing the rule of law and protecting human rights.

The letter is signed by Lin Ying and Han Shuangyan, with their handwritten signatures, resident ID numbers, and a red official university stamp.

At this time, the authenticity of the manifesto and its claimed authorship has not been verified. Neither Lin Ying nor Han Shuangyan has publicly responded either.

Source: China News, April 28, 2025
https://news.creaders.net/china/2025/04/28/2862324.html

Hot Topics | | |   @CS Social Stability

RFA: Latest Chinese Internet Slang Reflects Youth Disillusionment and Economic Struggles

Radio Free Asia (RFA) recently ran an article compiling a list of recent buzzwords and slang appearing on the Chinese internet. Some commentators reportedly believe that these trending phrases “reflect China’s economic struggles, workplace anxiety, and shifting societal mindset.”

  • “Let Things Rot” (摆烂) – Originally a basketball term, it refers to a team intentionally giving up games after poor performance to secure better draft picks. It now describes an attitude of passive resignation, inaction, and giving up efforts to improve one’s situation.
  • “Ox and Horse” (牛马) – A term used to describe people who work tirelessly but receive little reward, similar in sense to the phrases “corporate slaves” or “exploited laborers.” The term originates from the image of oxen and horses in traditional agricultural societies – animals that work hard yet lack freedom.
  • “Flexible Employment”  (灵活就业) – Employment that is not tied to a fixed employer, offering freelance or gig-based income rather than a stable, full-time job. The term is often seen as a euphemism used by the government to soften the reality of unemployment.
  • “Four-No Youth” (四不青年) – A label for young people who adopt a laid-back or passive approach to life and work. The “Four No’s” refer to:
    1. Not Dating: Relationships are seen as too costly in terms of time, money, and emotional effort.
    2. Not Marrying: Marriage pressures such as mortgages, dowries, and family responsibilities make it unappealing.
    3. Not Buying Property: High housing prices and mortgage burdens deter them from homeownership.
    4. Not Having Children: The high cost of raising children, including education, healthcare, and housing, discourages them from parenthood.

RFA wrote that “these terms highlight the growing sentiment of disillusionment and resistance among Chinese youth.”

Source: Radio Free Asia, April 9, 2025
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shehui/2025/04/09/china-internet-buzzword/

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

Study Finds Abnormally High Lithium Levels in Pregnant Women and Infants in Beijing

A March 5 report from the South China Morning Post revealed that lithium concentrations in the bodies of pregnant women and infants in Beijing are abnormally high – 20 times higher than in other industrial cities in China.

Professor Hu Ligang, an environmental chemist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, monitored lithium concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord blood in Beijing and Changsha. The study found that in 2023, the average lithium concentration in the blood of pregnant women in Changsha, Hunan Province, was 0.61 micrograms per liter (mcg/L), but in Beijing, the number was 27.31 mcg/L.

In Changsha, the lithium found in infants’ umbilical cord blood mainly came from grains, vegetables, and drinking water. However, in Beijing, 96% of the lithium intake by mothers could not be traced to known sources such as food, water, or air. This suggests there might exist a stable, unidentified source of lithium exposure in Beijing.

Excessive lithium levels in the human body can lead to lithium poisoning, which affects all major organs, particularly the kidneys, thyroid, and nervous system.

Source: Radio France International, March 17, 2025
https://www.rfi.fr/cn/专栏检索/环境与发展/20250317-研究显示-北京孕妇脐带血锂浓度超高而暴露源不明

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CNA: Shanghai’s Population Decreased in 2024

Primary Taiwanese news agency Central News Agency (CNA) has published a report on the Shanghai Civil Economics and Social Development Statistics for 2024, recently released by the authorities in Shanghai. According to the official data, the city’s permanent population at the end of 2024 was 24.8026 million. Among them, permanent residents who were not born in Shanghai numbered 9.8349 million, a year-over-year decline of 237,900.

In the past year, the headcount of westerners in Shanghai significantly decreased. Due to a decreasing overall population, Shanghai’s total retail sales of consumer goods also decreased throughout the year. Over the past four years, the total reduction of the non-native-Shanghainese population living in Shanghai was 640,000. In 2024, this population fell to less than 10 million for the first time in recent history.

Source: CNA, March 26, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202503260062.aspx

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources Social Stability

CCP Tightens Restrictions on Movement of Key Personnel in Banks, Research Institutions, and State-Owned Enterprises

Over the last few years, the communist regime in China has strengthened its monitoring of the movements of personnel in key positions within banks, research institutions, and state-owned enterprises. Overseas travel now requires approval, and some institutions even mandate that employees report or apply for permission to go to another city for leisure purposes.

A respondent from Shenzhen, Guangdong Province noted that, in her workplace, managers at the deputy division-level and above must submit an application in advance if they wish to travel to Guangzhou, another city about 2 hours away. An employee at the loan review department of the Bank of Communications drove from Beijing to Tianjin over a weekend. As soon as he passed the border of Beijing and entered Hebei Province, he received a call from his superior asking why he left Beijing without informing anyone and where he was going.

Source: Radio Free Asia, March 21, 2025
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shehui/2025/03/21/banks-scientific-research-institutions-senior-staff-monitored-leaving-town/

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics Social Stability

CNA: Public Poll Shows Rise in Dissatisfaction With Government Among Hongkongese

Primary Taiwanese news agency Central News Agency (CNA) recently reported that the latest public poll conducted by the Institute of Asia Pacific, Chinese University of Hong Kong, shows a sharp rise in dissatisfaction of Hong Kong residents with the SAR government. Dissatisfaction rates reportedly rose by 16 percent in February, and the ratings of city executive officers and senior officials also fell sharply.

Regarding the performance of the SAR government, only 13.5 percent of the residents surveyed expressed satisfaction, down 10.5 percent from the previous survey (conducted in October 2024); 43.7 percent expressed dissatisfaction, up 16 percentage points; and 41 percent responded “so-so,” down 5.4 percentage points. For the overall performance rating of Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, the respondents gave 44.2 points (max 100 points, 50 points considered qualified), down 6.5 points from 50.7 points in October last year.

Additionally, the trust in Beijing’s central government was 34.2 percent; 27.4 percent expressed distrust; and 34.9 percent said “so-so”. This same poll has been carried out since the handover of Hong Kong by the British government.

Source: CNA, March 21, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202503210071.aspx

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

The CCP Published “National Emergency Response Plan for Sudden Incidents”

The Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the State Council of China have issued the “National Emergency Response Plan for Sudden Incidents.” This plan applies to the CCP Central Committee to respond to major emergencies and serves as a guideline for nationwide emergency response efforts.

The term “sudden incidents” in this plan refers to unexpected events that cause or may cause serious social harm, requiring emergency response measures. These incidents include:

  • Natural disasters
  • Accidents and catastrophes
  • Public health emergencies
  • Social security incidents, which mainly encompass:
    • Criminal cases
    • Terrorism-related incidents
    • Mass incidents (large-scale protests or unrest)
    • Ethnic and religious conflicts
    • Financial crises
    • Foreign-related incidents
    • Other emergencies affecting market stability and social order.

Source: Xinhua, February 25, 2025
http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/zywj/20250225/a0c06e30ad36490697fbf780530839e4/c.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics Social Stability

Tianjin Publishes Prices for Organs, Sparking Concern over Organ Harvesting

According to a report by Guancha.cn on January 23, the Tianjin Municipal Health Commission announced on January 20 that six government departments, including the Tianjin Health Commission, have issued two new regulations which took effect on February 1, 2025:

  1. “Implementation Rules for Organ Donation Procurement Fees and Financial Management in Tianjin (Trial)”
  2. “Fee Standards for Organ Donation Procurement in Tianjin (Trial)”

The second regulation explicitly lists the prices for human donor organs, including:

  • Liver: ¥250,000 (US$34,000)
  • Kidney: ¥200,000
  • Pancreas: ¥50,000
  • Heart: ¥80,000
  • Cornea: ¥12,000
  • Lungs: ¥60,000
  • Small intestine: ¥40,000

The announcement sparked concern and skepticism among Chinese netizens, some of whom made reference to the CCP’s history of harvesting organs from religious minorities and political prisoners of conscience.

Source: Epoch Times, January 29, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/1/25/n14421941.htm

Briefings | | |   @CS Government/Politics Social Stability