The Chinese Communist Party’s internet industry of “50 cents army,” initially referred to as the network commentators recruited by the CCP. In recent years, after several waves of upgrades and replacements, the “little pinks,” internet operatives, and even overseas “50 cents” have all become part of the “50 cents army.” During Chen Yixin’s tenure as the secretary-general of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission under Xi Jinping’s confidant, a large-scale layout of the “50 cents army” within the system has taken place.
Currently employed in a municipal government department in Zhejiang, Tian Liang (pseudonym) recently revealed to Epoch Times the inner workings of the current system’s “50 cents army,” pointing out that these individuals are actually two-faced, and they are aware that their time is limited.
Tian Liang told Epoch Times reporters that the “50 cents army” is widespread throughout Chinese society, including serving civil servants, university students, and even retired experts from within the system.
He cited an example, mentioning a retired official named Gu Fulin, who goes by the online name “Jiashan Laogu.” Gu currently holds titles such as Zhejiang Report Ziteng Think Tank expert team member, chief expert of Wisdom Starlight New Media Research Institute, and expert at the Sina New Media Institute. He is known to specialize in the research and judgment of online public opinion and the operation of political and new media. This person is a typical expert-level “50 cent,” and he frequently conducts training sessions in various locations.
Tian Liang said the so-called “50 cents army” is tasked with spreading propaganda for the CCP’s stability maintenance internally and receiving Communist Party remuneration. They can be classified into several categories. “One is the expert-level ’50 cencer’ from professional departments. These are individuals from within the system, and you have no choice but to comply. Even if you are retired, they can still control you. If you refuse to work for them, they will use political means to oppress you.”
He mentioned that individuals chosen by the CCP are first assessed based on their Communist Party theoretical level during their tenure in office, known as their political quality. The CCP considers these individuals politically loyal and reliable.
He stated that currently, many within the system are two-faced, acknowledging that many things the CCP asks them to do are not right. However, they continue to carry out these tasks because they receive the Communist Party’s salary, which they view as their reward for services rendered. They believe that not complying is not an option as it would affect their families. These are experts within the system or retired individuals mostly from dedicated propaganda departments or united front work.
He explained how the propaganda department cooperates with the political and legal departments to maintain stability. When certain events occur in society or the police focus on specific matters, they contact the local media center to divert attention by reporting on other incidents.
For example, if any negative cases arise within the Party, someone might post them on Douyin late at night. The account would be promptly shut down, and then they would create other news, such as entertainment news. This entertainment news would then dominate the news cycle for ten days to half a month, like the incident at Chengdu’s Taikoo Li, referred to as the “Holding Hands Gate.”
Another category is the amateur “50 cents” within the system.
Besides the expert-level “50 cents” from professional departments, there are relatively amateur “50 cents” taken from various government departments. Their responsibilities are detailed, overseeing various specialized functions, each headed by a designated official reporting directly to the municipal political and legal committee secretary or a deputy mayor.
Their work involves monitoring public sentiment concerning specific events on the internet, tracking the number of people paying attention, the activity on social media platforms such as WeChat or Douyin, categorizing keyword searches, views, comments on sensitive topics. All these details are compiled regularly. When they believe public sentiment is escalating, they report it upwards. Then the police and the internet information department take control, tracing the source of the information dissemination, leading to individuals being banned from platforms like WeChat groups, Douyin, or Xiaohongshu.
From the professional-level “50 cents” to the amateur “50 cents” within the system, to village-level “50 cents” and prison “50 cents,” they collectively form a network. The CCP has created a three-dimensional network from government entities, involving close relationships between the political and legal parts of the system.
Additionally, activities regarding the “50 cents army” within Chinese universities have been exposed online from time to time.
Tian Liang mentioned that even if they do not participate in “50 cents” activities, regular government employees undergo stability maintenance training to enhance their so-called political loyalty. Training sessions are usually conducted by the public security internet police brigade as a form of brainwashing, warning them that their salaries come from the Communist Party, advising against gossip and providing guidance on preventing cyber-attacks. They emphasize that once engaged in online public opinion, they could face severe consequences.
He disclosed that the authorities have employed a networked pattern for management, dividing the country into different sections, each with dedicated police officers to maintain public sentiment. Their expenditure on stability maintenance surpasses the military budget nationally, although the exact figures are shrouded in mystery.
Documents provided by Tian Liang show that specific provincial committees and universities have signed contracts under the guise of “Local Governance and Legal Development Research,” which actually focuses on stability maintenance, involving millions of yuan in funding. Meeting minutes from certain political and legal committees in other regions indicate collaborations with so-called legal development research institutions, researching local governance, with considerable financial investments made.
According to his knowledge, the primary department responsible for public opinion concerning stability maintenance at the city and county levels is often the united front department, which is relatively unknown. Their stability maintenance budget and operations are generally kept confidential from the public. The department’s external propaganda often deviates from its actual internal operations.
He expressed his dismay, stating that despite certain financial declarations made by the authorities, no one truly knows the actual figures, not even government employees have the authority to access this information within the internal system.
He highlighted that the authorities have upgraded their technological capabilities. The local public security has introduced a long-distance surveillance project known as “supervision beyond the visual range.” This system is pervasive and encompasses various locations such as streetlights or undisclosed areas for surveillance purposes.
He cautioned that speaking publicly in common places also poses risks, with surveillance even present in office environments. Inadequate soundproofing in office spaces can lead to sensitive conversations being recorded, reported, and individuals receiving warnings or disciplinary actions.
Tian Liang specifically advised media colleagues overseas to be wary of the cunning tactics adopted by the “50 cents army” experts within the CCP. These individuals have multiple disguises and can change their online personas to blend with democratic and free-speech advocates, extracting information without detection.
In recent years, many individuals from mainland China have ventured abroad, with those originating from within the system using their positions to gather information and report back to the CCP, including details on dissenting voices.