On October 23, the Fourth Plenary Session of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) concluded, and the mainland media hyped up the contents of the communique of the Fourth Plenum. However, mainlanders have pointed out that the communique’s contents are contradictory, filled with empty and false promises, while the reality of people’s lives paints a different picture, with widespread discontent.
The communique stated that the plenum put forward the main goals for economic and social development during the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, emphasizing the need to “consolidate and strengthen the foundation of the real economy,” “build a strong domestic market,” and “adhere to expanding domestic demand.”
According to a mainland scholar known as Jin Yan (pseudonym) in an interview with a reporter, there is widespread unemployment and numerous business closures in the country. Walking on the streets, one can see many closed shops; even in the subways of major cities where it used to be crowded, now there are empty seats, indicating a decline in people’s livelihood.
“Many people cannot find jobs, and even if they do, they can’t earn a decent income. Even civil servants within the CCP system cannot receive complete salaries. It may seem like they receive wages for this month, but in reality, it’s payment for work done three to four months ago. This situation is prevalent nationwide,” he said, highlighting the blatant lies in the CCP’s narrative.
“In recent days, while traveling for work, taxi drivers have taken the initiative to criticize the CCP, criticizing Xi Jinping openly. People are expressing their dissatisfaction publicly, unlike before when surveillance cameras in taxis made drivers cautious about what they said and passengers hesitant to talk. Now, these individuals can’t contain their inner discontent any longer.”
Mainland social activist Wang Hua (pseudonym) mentioned that not only is the real economy failing, but virtual and all other sectors of the economy are also collapsing. He likened the current economic situation to the decline during the late Qing Dynasty, which led to known consequences. With the internal circulation and real economy at a standstill, relying solely on foreign trade, any further impact from trade wars would be catastrophic, leading to a dead-end situation.
Wang Hua noted that the CCP always outwardly presents a “united front” but internally engages in power struggles, deceiving the public with a facade of stability. He compared the situation to a bright-looking apple on the outside but rotten inside. The CCP’s tactics are akin to a woman with many blemishes on her face using beauty filters to mask reality, focusing on appearances rather than substance.
Regarding recent personnel changes in the CCP’s Military Commission, Wang Hua expressed diverse views circulating, but one thing is certain: they are all on the same boat and have a collective interest. As long as they remain united, they won’t benefit humanity or do any good deeds.
Social observer Zheng Yi (pseudonym) noted that the younger generation generally shows apathy towards the plenum, with low interest from working professionals. “None of the people I’ve met are satisfied with Xi’s leadership, believing he has caused economic chaos.”
He noted a recent incident at a Xinhua Bookstore, where Xi Jinping’s books were removed from prominent display spots and replaced with titles like “The Stories of the Ming Dynasty.” However, surrounding individuals remain unconvinced of Xi’s potential retreat to a secondary role, expressing doubts about the emergence of a successor.
Former senior criminal defense attorney Zuo Zhihai, who left mainland China in April and drafted a “Constitution for All,” emphasized during an interview that the substantive outcome of the Fourth Plenum reflects the CCP’s control and division of China, with Xi Jinping still holding sole power. However, as history shows, dictators eventually pay the price for their actions, citing examples like Stalin and Lenin.
According to Zuo Zhihai’s observations, the themes of CCP meetings are contradictory. For example, the core planning of the “14th Five-Year Plan” espouses “Chinese-style modernization” and “comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” In reality, China has not achieved modernization because its foundation lies in political modernization, including the publicization of governing rights. For the Chinese nation to achieve great rejuvenation, every individual should be a free citizen, but under one-party rule, most are either CCP members, slaves to the party elites, or mere subjects, making China’s resurgence unattainable.
“In a one-party dictatorship, there are only two types of people in China, apart from CCP members, one group is subservient to the party’s high-ranking officials, including the backbone of the party; the other is like cattle and sheep. The majority of Chinese fall into the latter category, making it impossible for the Chinese nation to achieve rejuvenation. Harsh as it may sound, it is essentially a nation of slaves,” he emphasized.
Furthermore, the CCP’s principles like “the party’s overall leadership” and “putting the people first” are entirely contradictory. Zuo Zhihai highlighted that the CCP dictates everything in China, from laws and officials’ appointments to taxation and fines, making the party the ruler and the people mere subjects. The CCP’s interests do not align with the people’s, disguising its control under the pretext of serving the people, presenting “putting the people first” as a facade.
Moreover, the CCP aims to combine “effective markets” with “capable government.” Zuo Zhihai expressed concerns that this integration would hinder people from prospering through entrepreneurship, as the CCP’s power intrusion into the economy results in corruption, violating economic regulations and controlling resources. In the future, to become profitable in China, one must be connected to power; otherwise, making substantial profits would be challenging, leading to a mere sustenance existence.
“Additionally, the CCP’s promotion of ‘rural revitalization’ will bring about great misery in the countryside. Land seizures are rampant in Hainan and Guangxi. The government is expanding its power in rural areas, gradually controlling any potential income sources of the common people. Rural life will become increasingly difficult,” he added.
Jin Yan expressed that every time the CCP’s high-level meetings took place, it brought disaster to ordinary people nationwide as everything had to make way for the meetings, focusing on strengthening social stability. On the other hand, people’s lives presented a completely different picture. “After reading the communique of the Fourth Plenum, it’s all empty promises, as expected, with everyone aware of the falsehoods and deception that do not align with reality.”
However, Jin Yan believes that although many feel the end is near, the oppressive and brutal rule will continue to exacerbate societal difficulties, leading to further economic deterioration and prolonged hardships ahead. The downfall of the CCP will depend on the awakening of the people and the concrete foundational work they engage in, making its demise an inevitable and swift process.
Wang Hua also suggested that for the masses to become enlightened, it would be a gradual process. When about half of the Chinese population awaken, the CCP will cease to exist. “Once its karma ripens, like a house reaching the end of its lifespan, it will naturally cease to exist. They may appear joyous now, but eventually, they will be held accountable,” he concluded.