Today’s Focus: Renouncing the Chinese Communist Party is the only way for Chinese people to safeguard themselves; the mandatory social security imposed by the CCP is causing struggles for small businesses, with workers voicing complaints; Thailand is stepping up measures to prevent Chinese goods from entering the US via detours, with officials and ports on high alert.
Currently, the global political landscape is undergoing unprecedented changes. The competition between China and the US is not only a power struggle between nations, but also a profound clash of ideologies, cultural identities, and global values.
As an authoritarian political party, the ruling model of the CCP not only impacts China domestically, but also extends its influence globally through strategies such as overseas infiltration, long-arm jurisdiction, and overseas cognitive warfare, affecting Chinese communities worldwide and even challenging the security and values system of Western societies.
In the past two decades, the CCP has increased its control and infiltration efforts over overseas Chinese communities. The current infiltration is not just about traditional intelligence gathering but a comprehensive political, cultural, and psychological warfare. The US Department of Homeland Security and the FBI have repeatedly warned publicly that the CCP uses scholars from the “Thousand Talents Program,” Confucius Institutes, business elites, and students studying abroad as frontline infiltrators.
This infiltration has left many Chinese people struggling with their political beliefs, cultural identities, and ways of life. At the same time, the situation of Chinese Americans has undergone subtle changes. On one hand, Chinese Americans as loyal members of American society aspire to integrate into the mainstream and earn respect. On the other hand, some Chinese Americans face suspicion or discrimination due to their connections with the CCP, leading to the gradual formation of the mistaken stereotype that “Chinese people are agents of the CCP” in society.
In fact, the US government and several officials, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, have repeatedly emphasized that the US opposes the CCP regime, not the Chinese people.
However, the CCP has been sending a large number of spies and infiltrators to the US, using academic exchanges, student visas, business cooperation, etc., to collect intelligence, conduct surveillance, attempt to bribe US officials, posing a serious threat to US national security.
With the escalation of such actions, US policies have shifted from relative tolerance to prevention and clearance. As a result, Chinese communities that were previously publicly close to the CCP are now shrouded in suspicion. Some Chinese individuals are under surveillance and exclusion due to their pro-CCP affiliations, affecting their lives overseas.
Some Chinese have come to realize the true nature of the CCP. They bravely expose it and refuse its control. They enhance their positive image through legal means, media, and social organizations, thereby gaining understanding and respect from the outside world.
Indeed, to break free from the CCP’s control, “quitting the three withdrawals” (quitting the CCP, Youth League, and Young Pioneers) is the best way. So far, the Global Service Center for Quitting the Party has helped over 450 million Chinese people quit the CCP and embark on a new life.
Chairman of the Global Service Center for Quitting the Party, Wang Zhiyuan, emphasized that the three withdrawals are not simply a political statement but a process of spiritual awakening and soul salvation, a significant moral choice. It prompts numerous Chinese people to re-examine their identities and values, rejecting being kidnapped by the CCP’s tyranny, lies, and terror machinery. He stated that each “three withdrawals” statement openly denies the CCP’s system, representing Chinese people cutting off all connections with authoritarian regimes from the depths of their hearts.
Note that the three withdrawals are not just a trend; they carry significant meanings, which the US government acknowledges. In recent years, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement made it clear that CCP members cannot apply for immigration unless they have voluntarily withdrawn from the Party. The “Quit the Party Certificate” is proof of “voluntary withdrawal.”
After declaring the three withdrawals, the Global Service Center for Quitting the Party issues a “Quit the Party Certificate,” which holds legal reference value, helping the holders prove that they have severed ties with the CCP regime. This certificate plays a crucial role in immigration, asylum, and overseas political reviews. In simple terms, this is not just a statement but a guarantee for future identity and security.
In the US, many immigration lawyers and government officials view the Quit the Party Certificate as a symbol of integrity and innocence. Only by truly withdrawing from the CCP can individuals clearly demonstrate their political stance, reducing the risk of scrutiny.
Wang Zhiyuan pointed out that currently, the CCP is facing an all-encompassing crisis, with external international pressure overlapping with internal political struggles, bringing the “end of the CCP” closer. When the CCP falls, those still associated with it may be seen as “accomplices” and even become “accomplices.” Therefore, quitting the Party is the only way to sever political and moral risks.
Wang Zhiyuan also emphasized that the three withdrawals entail a comprehensive break with the CCP’s organization, ideology, and violent mechanisms, presenting each Chinese person with a choice that concerns dignity, security, and the future. Remember, only by quitting the CCP, Youth League, and Young Pioneers can lives and safety be preserved.
On August 1st, the Beijing authorities ordered that starting from September 1st, the government would strictly enforce mandatory social security contributions. In response, the Supreme People’s Court stated in a judicial interpretation that any private agreements to evade social security contributions would be invalid. This regulation sparked public outcry, with many small and low-profit businesses struggling to cope. There were even rumors that some employers ended their businesses prematurely, leaving all employees abruptly unemployed overnight.
On August 14th, Tian Ning (pseudonym), the owner of a decoration company in western Sichuan, which had been operating for seven years, stated in an interview with Epoch Times that after hearing about the mandatory social security measures, he felt the burden was too heavy to bear. Therefore, he had to lay off all three of his employees and do all the work himself or assign it to his family members. Tasks like design and woodworking were to be handled by him, while his father took on plastering, his elder brother did electrical work, and his cousin worked with paint. He only took on as much work as he could handle and turned down anything beyond that. Tian Ning mentioned that running a business now is most fearful of employees reporting, but since he now employs only family members, even without paying social security, no one would report him.
He explained that over the past few years, doing business had become challenging, with thin profit margins due to costs like rent, utilities, and equipment. There were times when the cash flow was insufficient. After letting go of employees, Tian Ning felt relieved as now his family members could handle the workload, and there was less financial strain on him. He mentioned that with family members, there was flexibility in payment, and in case of shortages or special circumstances, they understood.
Expressing his helplessness, Tian Ning revealed that while laying off employees, he directly told them that he couldn’t afford to keep them anymore. The employees didn’t object as they understood the situation. He emphasized that mandatory social security was truly out of sync with the current national conditions. The reason for laying off employees now was due to considering long-term pain over short-term pain, as under the current circumstances, laying off employees was inevitable.
Tian Ning lamented that many similar situations existed, with many business owners following the same path. Some business owners even chose to shut down operations and disappear.
According to the Central News Agency, a social media post titled “The Baozi Shop next door is closing” has gained attention. The owner of the baozi shop mentioned that they were already not making much money, and now having to pay social security for five employees would raise monthly expenses by nearly ten thousand yuan. The owner expressed helplessness, stating that business had become tough, and even they themselves couldn’t afford to pay social security.
Using the baozi shop as an example, the article did some calculations. The minimum monthly wage of an employee was 5,000 yuan, but the minimum basis for social security in Beijing was 7,353 yuan. Therefore, the social security contribution has to be paid at a rate of 7,353 yuan, with the employer contributing 1,950 yuan and the employee 780 yuan each month.
The article highlighted that the employees made it clear that they could accept not having social security, but not a deduction of 780 yuan from their monthly wage.
A law graduate posted a video on Douyin, stating her monthly earnings were 2,500 yuan. With mandatory social security, the law firm deducted 1,800 yuan from her salary each month. This left her with just 700 yuan. She didn’t want to pay social security, but her employer told her that if she didn’t contribute, she couldn’t become a practicing lawyer. She tearfully mentioned that with daily transportation costs and meals, her earnings were simply not sufficient!
Against the backdrop of the new social security rules, people have been finding ways to avoid it. Notably, many job advertisements in various places now explicitly mention that they are “hiring retirees.”
One blogger described a peculiar operation involving a son making his over-60-year-old father sign a labor contract, while the son was the actual worker. This way, the company avoided social security payments and gained strong labor. It was seen as a unique form of “substitute soldiers for the father.”
However, some netizens remarked that this kind of “substitute soldiers” approach was not feasible, stating that any private agreements were void, and one report could make it unreliable.
Another blogger, “Humility Talks Finance,” shared strategies for business owners to deal with the mandatory social security payments, such as collaborating with several stores, breaking continuous employment into periods not exceeding 25 days, enabling workers to clock in at different stores every month. This fragmented labor relationship was dubbed as “shared employees 2.0.” Additionally, companies like Luckin Coffee and Starbucks had a requirement that part-time employees had social security from elsewhere, essentially transferring the fee. Moreover, food delivery platforms allowed riders to register as individual businesses, establishing a cooperation relationship between riders and the platform, with social security being a rider’s responsibility.
Recently, to block the loophole of Chinese goods entering the US via Southeast Asia, US authorities have increased their surveillance of “transshipment goods.” Thailand has become the frontline in this game. Currently, Thailand’s factories, warehouses, and ports are under stringent control. Officials are scrutinizing documents, inspecting invoices daily, and conducting on-site inspections at factories.
Thai officials have expressed that Thailand’s trade supervision agency has never worked this hard before, nor has it conducted such strict inspections.
Werapong Prapha, one of Thailand’s trade representatives, described the current situation in Southeast Asia as the most intense battleground in the global trade war.
Currently, Southeast Asian countries are known as the largest export transshipment channels for Chinese goods. According to Chinese customs data, in the first half of this year, Chinese exports to the US saw a significant decline, whereas exports to Southeast Asia surged. This data indicates that Chinese goods are being rerouted through Southeast Asia to access the US market.
To block this loophole, the US announced that all products identified as evading tariffs through transshipment would face additional tariffs of up to 40%.
Though the execution of these new standards by the US remains unclear, Thailand is on high alert, taking emergency actions to tighten rules on origin certification.
Previously, some non-governmental associations could issue certificates declaring “Made in Thailand.” However, now only the government has the authority to issue such certificates, with stricter requirements like ensuring at least 40% of the raw materials are from Thailand.
To ensure the authenticity of information, Thai officials personally inspect factories. Some factories that weren’t operational or even didn’t exist were discovered during checks.
Currently, these inspections in Thailand have shown results. A Chinese logistics company mentioned that due to the high scrutiny, many goods couldn’t even be docked at the port.
Furthermore, concerns have arisen over Chinese companies utilizing Southeast Asian countries to evade US export controls. To prevent this situation, many companies have become extremely cautious.
For instance, Somchai Sittichaisrichart, the CEO of the Bangkok-based IT distribution firm SiS Distribution, told a Thai newspaper that he had received an order to purchase over 500 servers with Nvidia chips. Feeling uneasy about the volume, he refused the deal as he believed the quantity was too high for any Thai company. He suspected that these servers were not intended for use within Thailand.
Sittichaisrichart informed that he was currently training marketing team members to become amateur supply chain investigators. He considered this a serious issue, as any violation could prompt the US to restrict critical technology sales to Thailand. Failing to control this could lead to more significant losses for Thailand.
These developments underline the complexities and challenges faced by businesses and individuals in navigating the changing political, economic, and trade dynamics in the region and globally.