In March 2023, Yuan Zegang from Guizhou, China, set foot on American soil after a grueling journey spanning over a month and a half, crossing more than ten countries. He used to be a staunch believer in the Chinese Communist Party’s propaganda as a “little pink,” but has now transformed into an active anti-communist fighter on the streets of the United States, identifying himself as a member of the Chinese Democratic Party who is willing to “sacrifice himself” for Chinese democracy.
From a young age, Yuan Zegang was a fervent supporter of the Communist Party, having been indoctrinated by the party’s propaganda. Both of his parents were farmers, and he worked in the construction industry in China for many years, building tall buildings and driving trucks. Despite the hardships, he always believed in the patriotic propaganda of the CCP.
He used to frequently express extreme nationalist sentiments on social media platforms like Douyin and Twitter. “I often criticized the United States, Japan, Taiwan, and wealthy immigrants to the United States on the internet, thinking they were traitors,” Yuan Zegang recalled.
He admitted that he couldn’t distinguish between the party and the country at that time, mistakenly believing that loving the country meant loving the party. Therefore, he blindly supported the CCP and was anti-American in everything he did.
His words and actions not only resonated with online communities but also received encouragement from his family and those around him. “Everyone was very supportive, thinking this was the behavior a normal Chinese person should have.”
Yuan Zegang’s transformation began in 2016 when, at the age of 26, he was inspired by a colleague to “climb over the wall” and access information from outside the Great Firewall. “At first, I didn’t believe it when a colleague told me about the dark side of the CCP, but after watching many videos, I slowly began to believe and realize how evil the Communist Party truly is.”
This shift in thinking brought about social pressure for him. He confessed that when he started expressing anti-communist views, his friends and family, who were also “little pinks,” viewed him as a traitor. He also faced threats and surveillance from the Chinese public security bureau.
“The public security bureau called me, telling me not to make comments criticizing the Communist Party. They could easily track me down because the internet in China is tied to real-name registration.”
He mentioned that he had criticized corruption, shoddy projects, government negligence of people’s livelihoods, and received multiple warnings about his posts being deleted on social media platforms like Douyin. “Later, I started making my statements more discreetly.”
The decision to leave China came to Yuan Zegang after the death of his parents. He revealed that his parents had been ill for many years, and despite spending money on their medical treatment, the government did not care. They eventually passed away due to the inability to afford medical expenses. “The Communist Party turned a blind eye even when my family was in financial ruin, and my parents passed away… so I was very sad.” This disappointment led him to leave China.
Since arriving in the United States in 2023, Yuan Zegang joined the Chinese Democratic Party in February 2024 and became the director of the party’s action department in the Los Angeles area in July of the same year. “I have been actively involved in anti-communist activities, leading protests at the Chinese consulate and exposing the darkness of the Communist Party in Chinese communities.” He also withdrew from the CCP organization.
However, his actions have brought pressure and retaliation against his family who are still in China. “My brother’s family is often harassed by the Chinese authorities, their phones are monitored, and they are now afraid to contact me.”
To express his stance more directly, on July 1st of the previous year, Yuan Zegang purchased a car and plastered it with anti-communist slogans such as “Overthrow the CCP” in both Chinese and English. “Not many people dare to put up such slogans, so many people have liked it, including both Caucasians and Chinese. Every day when I drive, people give me a thumbs up.”
When asked about his thoughts on the “little pinks” who still firmly believe in the CCP, Yuan Zegang said he completely understands them. “They cannot see the outside information, just like me back then. They are not bad; they are just blocked from information, unable to see the real situation, and thus are deceived and manipulated by the CCP.”
But he also issued a warning: “If the majority of (young) people still remain ‘little pinks,’ then this country is beyond saving.” He believes that the Great Firewall and internet censorship are the biggest obstacles to awakening Chinese people.
“I just want to tell them not to be as foolish as I was back then. I was willing to sacrifice myself for the party at that time, but now I am willing to sacrifice myself for Chinese democracy.”
When discussing the differences between the Chinese and American systems, Yuan Zegang bluntly stated, “The United States is a people-centric country, always considering the vulnerable. While China is a society where privileges come first, ordinary people have no freedom of speech and absolutely no hope.”
He emphasized his hope for more “little pinks” to awaken, saying, “This country must be democratic to truly save it. If the Communist Party continues its dictatorship, it only has a dead end.”
This former “little pink” has now become a spokesperson for democratic voices. Yuan Zegang’s transformation reflects not only personal awakening but also serves as a mirror for a generation struggling to find a way between lies and truths.