The Chinese Communist Party is intensifying social control while significantly strengthening ideological and political courses in mainland China’s universities, engaging in compulsory brainwashing and thought control of students. However, the effects have been counterproductive, particularly when this brainwashing contradicts reality, leading many students to turn to Buddhism and metaphysics.
In recent years, the proportion of ideological and political courses in mainland Chinese universities has been increasing, with more rigorous assessments and attendance requirements overshadowing major courses.
Liu Ao, who enrolled at North China University of Technology in 2018, described to Epoch Times the intense brainwashing enforced by the CCP at universities, involving a mishmash of courses such as modern history, Marxism, Mao Zedong Thought, and ideological and political theory, with multiple sessions per week that must be attended diligently.
Qin Qin, a sophomore at a music academy in mainland China, revealed that some courses required students to hand in their phones, impacting their participation grades significantly. She shared her course schedule for the first semester of 2025-2026, showing a staggering 8 sessions of ideological and political courses per week, including 4 sessions of Mao Zedong Thought, 2 sessions of ideological and political theory, and 2 sessions of national security education.
These examples are not isolated incidents; attendance for ideological and political courses is stricter than for other classes, becoming a common phenomenon in mainland Chinese universities.
For example, in Guangzhou Xinghai Conservatory of Music, attendance in “Mao Zedong Thought” accounts for 30% of the final grade assessment. The school implements specific disciplinary measures for attendance, such as marking lateness with a “C” symbol resulting in a 2-point deduction each time, and marking absence with a “K” symbol leading to a 5-point deduction each time. This strict attendance regime also extends to other universities, where courses like “Current Affairs” and “Policies” have evolved into a “attendance show.”
In March 2021, Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping proposed the concept of “Comprehensive Ideological and Political Education,” requiring social life to be transformed into an ideological and political classroom.
Geng Lutao, a former Chinese education teacher, described how political courses were already stringent when he entered university in 2015, indicating a shift towards more comprehensive control of students’ thoughts and beliefs over the years.
The CCP’s relentless brainwashing efforts have led to unintended consequences, as many students, despite fulfilling credit requirements for graduation, privately express their genuine thoughts and feelings.
Critics have described the ideological and political course materials as convoluted and meaningless, equating the experience to “making dumplings just to get a bit of vinegar.”
Despite the rigorous propaganda efforts, many students find themselves disengaged during classes, with some even sleeping or focusing on other coursework due to sheer boredom.
The extensive brainwashing campaigns by the CCP have resulted in a sense of emptiness and boredom among university students, negatively impacting their motivation and engagement with life and society, demonstrating a significant increase in feelings of ennui from 2009 to 2020.
Moreover, a revival of ancient cultural traditions such as divination, feng shui, and fortune-telling is gaining popularity among Chinese youth. Many are turning to temples and spiritual practices, seeking deeper meaning and guidance.
Although the CCP’s brainwashing efforts are extensive, they have not eradicated individuals’ innate pursuit of truth, kindness, and beauty, nor altered their fundamental values and judgments, especially when faced with conflicts between propaganda and reality.
In a society where liberal ideas and democratic theories are suppressed, individuals are actively seeking new sources of knowledge and insights, turning to various belief systems and philosophies to make sense of the world around them.
This resurgence of ancient traditions and spiritual practices represents a positive endeavor by individuals to seek meaning and understanding in a world where state propaganda falls short, reflecting a growing awareness and critical thinking among Chinese youth.
In conclusion, despite the CCP’s relentless attempts at thought control and brainwashing, individuals are resilient in their pursuit of truth, creativity, and personal growth, seeking alternative avenues for intellectual nourishment and spiritual fulfillment in a society dominated by authoritarian propaganda.