Today’s Focus: Multiple deaths and injuries in explosion in Shandong Gaomi, Chinese media stated that hidden dangers were discovered two years ago; the dark side behind global expansion, BYD accused of using slave labor; Public Security Ministry causing turmoil again, Wang Xiaohong and Cai Qi power struggle revealed.
On May 27th, a violent explosion occurred at Yudao Chemical Co., Ltd. in Gaomi, Shandong, with billowing smoke rising from the scene. The explosion, described as earthquake-like, caused varying degrees of damage to buildings within several kilometers. Official reports stated that as of 7:25 pm on the same day, the accident resulted in 5 deaths, 6 missing persons, and 19 injuries. However, due to the explosion happening during the daytime on a workday, the official casualty figures were widely questioned.
Multiple online videos show flames shooting up at the scene, with smoke reaching hundreds of meters high, and the shockwave from the explosion causing extensive damage to windows and glass in shops and residences several kilometers away, with some buildings severely damaged. A witness stated, “A loud noise, a family lost.”
After the chemical plant explosion, a large amount of yellow and black smoke rose, with leaks of unidentified gas from pipes, permeating the area with a pungent smell. Due to the toxic smoke, local residents were extremely frightened, closing doors and windows and wearing masks.
Pengpai News reported that journalists arrived at the scene in the early hours of the 28th, finding the surroundings of the explosion site pitch dark, with a pungent pesticide smell in the air. Currently, the area has been sealed off.
Residents living four to five kilometers away from the explosion center stated that fortunately, the explosion occurred around noon, and many people had left the factory for lunch. They believed that if the explosion had happened during working hours, more people would have died. However, they believed that there was a significant discrepancy in the official casualty numbers, suspecting that there were more deaths and injuries than reported.
Jiemu News reported that Yudao Chemical Company is located in the Renhe Chemical Industrial Park in Gaomi. Mr. Zhang, who works at a welding factory in the park, mentioned that his factory is about 1 kilometer away from the explosion site. When the explosion occurred, he was having lunch in the workshop and heard a loud noise, feeling the entire workshop shake. Upon going outside to look, he saw billowing smoke in the distance, with vehicles along the road sustaining various damages. Additionally, the glass of a nearby large factory was all shattered.
Due to road closures, journalists were unable to reach the explosion center. From several hundred meters away, they observed that the explosion site had turned into almost a ruins.
Damage was particularly severe in the Qitai Village about 700 meters away from the explosion site. A villager pointed to several scars on her face, stating that these injuries were caused by glass shards from the explosion. She described the moment when she was preparing lunch in the kitchen, hearing a huge sound. Rushing out of the house, she saw the adjacent chemical plant exploding, creating a gigantic fireball and billowing smoke, scaring everyone. Everyone dashed out of their homes and ran out desperately.
This villager expressed her current concern about whether her house’s structure was damaged. Under the impact of the explosion, her windows were shattered, visible cracks appeared in the bedroom walls on the second floor, the door was broken, and detached from the wall. She lamented, “This house was newly renovated and intended for my son’s marriage, now it’s all destroyed.” She was unsure who should bear these losses.
Reporters also noted that the windows of an entire clinic were shattered, with even the wooden frames missing, and the potted plants on the windowsill falling to the ground. Fortunately, the explosion occurred at noon when the clinic had no patients. They immediately evacuated the location after the explosion, which produced towering flames and a foul odor.
A shop owner around 2 kilometers away from the chemical plant mentioned that when the explosion happened, she first heard a muffled sound, followed by a loud explosion. The significant shockwave directly prevented her from moving, making her feel incapacitated and even slowing down her thinking, almost feeling as if she wasn’t there.
A local taxi driver mentioned that there were many injured people, with several public hospitals admitting injured individuals.
On the afternoon of May 28th, the staff at Gaomi City People’s Hospital’s Orthopedic Inpatient Department mentioned that due to admitting numerous patients, the department’s beds were under intense pressure, advising non-urgent patients to avoid peak periods and seek treatment at the hospital later on.
According to NetEase reports, the chemical plant primarily engages in the production of agrochemicals and other chemicals, with a registered capital of 1 billion RMB, and relatively complete facilities. However, in 2023, the factory was found to have safety hazards during an inspection.
Local residents expressed that when passing by the chemical plant on normal days, they could smell a pungent odor. Now with the explosion, the pungent smell could be detected from afar, causing concerns about severe environmental pollution in the area.
Based on business inquiry software and the official website of the chemical plant, Shandong Yudao Chemical Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary controlled by Haomai Group Co., Ltd., established in August 2019 with a registered capital of 1 billion RMB, covering an area of over 700 acres, and being the largest global producer of chlorpyrifos.
The parent company of the chemical plant, Haomai Group, was founded in 1995, with business covering tire molds, mechanical processing, casting steel, and iron, and a total output value of 20.2 billion RMB in 2024.
On May 27th, the Brazilian Labor Prosecutor’s Office stated that a public civil lawsuit had been filed in court accusing the Chinese car manufacturer BYD of human trafficking and providing “conditions of work comparable to slavery” for Chinese workers!
According to Reuters, the Brazilian Labor Bureau stated that these workers were recruited by two contracting companies of BYD, namely Jinjiang Construction Brazil Ltd. and Tonghe Intelligent Equipment Brazil Ltd.
In December 2024, Brazilian authorities halted the construction of BYD’s factory in the state of Bahia, as the 220 Chinese workers employed by BYD’s contractors had “horrifying” working and living conditions. Brazilian officials referred to them as “comparable to slaves”.
What exactly were these horrifying conditions?
According to the investigation, the workers’ labor conditions were extremely harsh, lacking basic safety guarantees. The overall living conditions of the workers were described as “shocking”. They worked long hours with high-intensity labor, without breaks, let alone dignity. Additionally, the workers’ passports were confiscated, 60% of their wages were withheld by employers, and even going out required prior approval.
The prosecutor pointed out that these Chinese workers were victims of international human trafficking.
Brazilian labor officials expressed openly at a press conference that the working environment of these Chinese workers “does not meet Brazil’s minimum safety standards”, bluntly labeling their situation as slave-like.
As a result, the prosecutor demanded BYD and two other companies pay approximately $45 million in moral damages. Furthermore, the three companies were required to provide personal compensation to the Chinese workers they employed.
Additionally, the prosecutor demanded that these companies comply with multiple labor regulations and impose fines of approximately $8,800 for each violation, with the total amount being the number of affected workers multiplied by the fines.
On one hand, BYD responded by stating that the company respects human rights and complies with international and local labor regulations in Brazil, and will cooperate with the prosecutor’s investigation.
However, on the other hand, BYD’s PR director in China accused this incident as an attempt by “foreign forces to defame China”.
It is worth noting that although BYD condemned “foreign forces trying to vilify China,” in Brazil, BYD promptly stated it would cover the hotel accommodation costs of the Chinese workers and shifted all responsibilities to Jinjiang Group, the contractor “building for BYD”, claiming that BYD had cut all ties with the company.
France International Radio remarked that this “double-faced” operation was quickly exposed by the media. It was found that Jinjiang Group has deep connections with BYD, both registered in Shenzhen, and Jinjiang has repeatedly undertaken the construction of BYD’s factories both domestically and overseas.
Furthermore, netizens revealed that the family members of BYD’s CEO had previously worked at Jinjiang Group. Some comments even suggested that Jinjiang Group is a subsidiary of BYD, labeling it as a common practice for Chinese enterprises, especially those operating overseas.
While the accusation could not be independently confirmed by the media, it indeed raised public concern about the operational practices of Chinese companies overseas.
Regarding the allegations against the Chinese government, many media outlets emphasized that the exposure of this event was not just hype by some so-called “anti-China media” but originated from investigations and reports by Brazilian authorities.
Indeed, Brazil has a history of long-standing slavery, making the society extremely sensitive to issues such as “forced labor” and “human trafficking”. The Brazilian government has a specific “Slave Report Box”, where anyone can report such cases, leading to thorough investigations.
The BYD incident came to light due to frequent injuries among laborers, causing local unions and labor departments to intervene, eventually rescuing these Chinese workers from the appalling conditions and relocating them to hotels.
Commentators pointed out that many Chinese companies have long been accustomed to domestic practices like “996” work hours or even more extreme working conditions, considering them normal. However, when in countries like Brazil, these working practices become serious violations of the law.
An article on WeChat commented that foreign friends might not understand our national conditions. Just like the foreign trade companies in China before, when cooperating with foreigners, the latter would demand improvements in the working conditions and treatment of Chinese workers, or else they wouldn’t place orders. Additionally, when foreign organizations sign agreements with the Chinese government, they demand improvements in school, prison, and medical conditions – something challenging for us to comprehend. This shows the surprise between civilizations and barbarism. The article was swiftly removed after being published.
Another WeChat public account satirically noted, “Late payment of wages, passport custody, aren’t these normal? As for poor accommodations or water quality, these are simply non-issues! The Brazilians are making a fuss over nothing. It just goes to show that our perceived decent living standards are far inferior in the eyes of others. If based on Brazil’s standards, not many domestic Chinese companies would meet the mark!”
Recently, there have been new movements at the top levels of the Chinese Communist Party, attracting high external attention. This time, the focus is on the Assistant Minister of Public Security and Office Director Hu Binchen, the right-hand man of Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong. Reports indicated that Hu Binchen was abruptly transferred from Beijing, and his current position is unclear. This personnel change could be related to the power struggle between Wang Xiaohong and Cai Qi. Let’s delve into the matter:
As shown in public footage from Jiangsu Satellite TV, on May 27th, Hu Binchen was present at a full meeting of the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee, seated between Zhou Guangzhi, Deputy Director of the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Congress, and Yao Xiaodong, Vice Chairman of the Jiangsu Provincial Political Consultative Conference.
This indicates that Hu Binchen has been transferred from the Public Security Ministry, with only a year passing since his appointment as Wang Xiaohong’s right-hand man.
The Public Security Ministry is considered the “blade” of stability maintenance within the Chinese Communist Party. Since Xi Jinping took power, he appointed his confidant Wang Xiaohong as the Public Security Minister. Following this, there was a considerable turnover at the Public Security Ministry, with all key positions, including the Deputy Ministers and Assistant Ministers, filled by Wang Xiaohong’s allies.
In April 2024, the 54-year-old Hu Binchen was appointed as the Assistant Minister of the Public Security Ministry, later assuming the positions of Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the Office of the Public Security Ministry, becoming Wang Xiaohong’s primary overseer at the ministry, assisting in managing core affairs of the public security system.
Now, with internal power shifts within the Chinese Communist Party, Hu Binchen was suddenly transferred from the Public Security Ministry, causing external speculation. Analysts suggested that Wang Xiaohong’s “blood loss” this time might be related to his ambitions for advancement within the Party.
An authoritative source cited by The Epoch Times stated that Xi Jinping’s dominance had diminished, with figures like Wen Jiabao and Zhang Youxia being the crucial factors influencing China’s political situation.
After Xi Jinping’s loss of power, his former confidants, such as Wang Xiaohong, harboring ambitions for advancement, led to intense power struggles within the top echelons of the Chinese Communist Party.
Critically, Cai Qi, another close associate of Xi Jinping, made a rare speech recently, notably omitting any mention of Xi as the core of the Party. Insiders claimed that Cai Qi had crossed over.
Independent commentator Cai Shenkun, in a program on May 27th, stated that the relationship between Xi Jinping’s two confidants, Cai Qi and Wang Xiaohong, was highly intricate. Both were trusted by Xi Jinping, and they had both worked in Fujian. In recent years, their discord worsened, particularly regarding the allocation of power in protecting and monitoring Xi Jinping, their conflicts were becoming increasingly apparent.
Cai Shenkun mentioned that, as Secretary of the Public Security Ministry’s Party Committee, Wang Xiaohong should theoretically only handle political and legal affairs. However, starting from last year, Wang Xiaohong became significantly involved in economic matters. This change likely stemmed from the trend of Xi Jinping’s declining power since the latter half of 2024, notably post the Third Plenum. Wang Xiaohong seemed eager to seize the moment, particularly if Xi Jinping faced any health issues, aiming to seize Xi’s authority.
Cai Shenkun stated that once Wang Xiaohong took over the Public Security Ministry, he thoroughly purged the existing personnel and elevated the status of the Public Security Guard Bureau, establishing a Special Services Bureau. This police force, to a certain degree, replaced the previous Central Security Bureau.
The Central Security Bureau primarily took responsibility for safeguarding or monitoring the personal safety of the principal leaders of C…