On November 19, 2025, former Guangzhou entrepreneur Peng Xiaomei commented on the Chinese Communist Party’s extreme measures to control the Chinese people amid the pandemic. She expressed that despite the CCP’s efforts to silence the Chinese population, it cannot suppress the yearning for freedom in people’s hearts. Peng Xiaomei, who used to run an e-commerce company in Tianhe District of Guangzhou specializing in clothing business, shared her insights on the authoritarian control imposed during the pandemic, which led to a shift in her life trajectory.
Initially, when the outbreak began in Guangzhou in 2020, logistics were not heavily restricted. However, as the control measures intensified, parcels bound for different parts of the country were frequently stuck at transfer stations, leading to delays and returns. During 2020 to 2021, the authorities sporadically implemented containment measures, disrupting daily operations for businesses like Peng Xiaomei’s.
The situation worsened in 2022, with factories halting production due to reported cases, creating a domino effect on the entire supply chain. Peng Xiaomei’s company came to a standstill, employees were quarantined, suppliers’ factories shut down, logistics were stalled, warehouses piled up with goods, and all orders were put on hold. Without substantial government assistance, Peng Xiaomei faced immense challenges in sustaining her business.
Due to the severe lockdown measures, Peng Xiaomei’s district in Tianhe, bordering Hai Zhu District, was also subjected to the same level of restrictions. Her area was under lockdown for three weeks, resulting in the closure of her company and significant economic losses.
Peng Xiaomei highlighted the devastating impact of the CCP’s pandemic control policies, which not only affected livelihoods but also disregarded the dignity of ordinary citizens. The extreme measures led to food shortages, limited access to medical supplies, and a lack of essential services, leaving many in desperate situations.
The stringent control measures sparked resistance among the people. In November 14, 2022, thousands of residents in Guangzhou’s Kang Le Village broke past barriers, overturning police vehicles and creating a stand-off with law enforcement.
The unrest eventually spread to other regions, as seen in a significant protest in Urumqi, Xinjiang, where a residential building fire caused numerous casualties due to containment protocols. The incident triggered a nationwide wave of protests known as the Blank Paper Movement, urging accountability from the authorities. The CCP eventually lifted some of the stringent measures in response to growing dissent.
Peng Xiaomei shared a heartbreaking account of her mother’s tragic experience during the lockdown in Jiangxi. Hindered by restrictions, her mother’s deteriorating health due to a pre-existing condition resulted in a desperate act to end her suffering, highlighting the human toll of the totalitarian policies enforced by the CCP.
Driven by the injustices she witnessed during the pandemic, Peng Xiaomei made the bold decision to seek refuge abroad, ultimately arriving in the United States in December 2023. She joined activism efforts, participating in protests organized by Chinese democracy advocates to hold the CCP accountable for its actions during the pandemic and to raise awareness about the regime’s oppression.
Peng Xiaomei emphasized the importance of seeking justice and exposing the truth about the CCP’s actions, despite facing censorship and repercussions for speaking out. She remains hopeful for a future where freedom and dignity are upheld, urging others to join in the fight against the oppressive regime.
Reflecting on her journey and the struggles faced by many during the pandemic, Peng Xiaomei reiterated her commitment to advocating for human rights and freedom. She shared excerpts from the American Declaration of Independence, underscoring the fundamental rights that every individual deserves – a stark contrast to the oppressive regime she fled from.
As Peng Xiaomei continues her advocacy for justice and liberation, she remains steadfast in her belief that the day will come when the Chinese people can live freely and with dignity, away from the tyranny of the CCP.