Recent revelations indicate that Chinese citizens’ freedom to travel abroad is facing further restrictions. A leaked internal document from the Xinjiang Public Security Bureau, dated 9 years ago, shows that a rigorous system of border control, covering aspects from mobile phones, funds, social relationships to passport management, had already been established as early as 2017. Today, similar scrutiny methods seem to be expanding nationwide, surpassing territorial and demographic restrictions.
At the same time, a decades-old murder case in Shaanxi has finally been brought to justice, exposing a shocking chain of judicial corruption. The defendant had evaded legal repercussions multiple times by leveraging connections and even went as far as murdering the whistleblower after being released from custody. However, this long-standing murder case remained unprosecuted for years until the victim’s family petitioned authorities, leading to the reopening of a case that had been buried for over 20 years.
Furthermore, in Hebei, reports have surfaced once again regarding the use of formaldehyde in preserving cabbage, known as the “Formaldehyde Cabbage” scandal. Surprisingly, more than 14 years ago, state-run media in China had already exposed vendors using formaldehyde to keep cabbage fresh. Yet, after over a decade has passed, the same issue has resurfaced once again.
These recent events highlight concerning trends in China regarding border control, judicial corruption, and food safety practices. The increasing surveillance and restrictions on individuals’ freedom of movement, alongside persistent issues of corruption within the legal system and food safety violations, underscore the complex challenges faced by Chinese society today.