In 2025, Liu Haiyang, a 48-year-old man from China, set out on a path to personal success. Graduating from Shanghai University with a degree in Investment Management, he had a successful career in foreign enterprises until the Covid-19 pandemic hit, leaving him feeling uncertain about the future.
Liu Haiyang’s career began with an internship at a joint venture company with FedEx, which led him to work in the global materials control department at Lam Research, an American Fortune 500 company specializing in semiconductor equipment. He then moved on to work for Nike in China, eventually becoming a project manager.
After several years, Liu Haiyang joined Eaton, a historic American company with over 90,000 employees worldwide, as the Director of Supply Chain Management. His experience in the semiconductor industry attracted ITA Group, a global financial powerhouse, where he worked as a senior analyst.
However, the outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan in 2022 changed everything for Liu Haiyang. The lockdown in Shanghai forced him to endure three months of strict restrictions, facing scarcity of food and witnessing the impact of the pandemic on his community.
During the lockdown, Liu Haiyang’s son fell ill and he struggled to get medicine due to the stringent regulations. Faced with the challenge of feeding his family with limited supplies, he experienced the desperation and chaos that ensued in the quarantined community.
Finally, when the lockdown was lifted, Liu Haiyang found it difficult to secure stable employment due to many foreign companies pulling out of China. Despite his experience, he faced challenges in the job market and decided to start a seafood business in a local market.
However, his business was soon shut down by authorities for operating without a license, while others operated without consequences by bribing officials. Faced with financial setbacks, Liu Haiyang turned to stock trading using his experience as a senior analyst, but struggled to navigate the complexities and taxes associated with the practice.
Feeling trapped and unable to find a way forward, Liu Haiyang decided to leave China and start a new life abroad. Upon arriving in Canada, he reflected on his experiences in China, growing disillusioned with the government’s handling of the pandemic and societal issues.
His journey led him to renounce his ties to the Communist Party and vow for a China free from communist influence. Liu Haiyang’s story serves as a reflection of the challenges and hardships faced by individuals in a rapidly changing world, seeking hope and a brighter future away from the shadows of the past.