Xi Jinping is in trouble. With only a year left for the 20th National Party Congress – during which his political future will be decided, Jinping has gone paranoid and is resorting to jingoist machinations to make the cut for another term as the Chinese president. Coupled with the current economic state of China and its unforgiving energy crisis, Xi Jinping, fearing an anti-CCP uprising, is ready to repeat the infamous ‘709 crackdown’ of 2015. This time – everyone is on target. Lawyers, activists, loyalists, soldiers, entrepreneurs, actors – they are all on Jinping’s target. And the Chaoyang Masses are about to help Jinping achieve his goals.
The red armbands in Beijing are being seen with enhanced vigour. What are these red armbands, you might ask? These are signs of the Chaoyang masses – a private CCP militia and surveillance force that has eyes and ears all across the Chinese capital city of Beijing. The Chinese state is making a renewed push in making the people of China aware that they are being constantly watched. Last week, CCP mouthpiece Global Times, quoting internet users said the mysterious group “could match four famous intelligence [agencies], the CIA, MI6, KGB and Mossad”. Some even jokingly called it “the fifth largest intelligence agency in the world”.
So, the CCP – using its state propaganda outlets has reminded the people of China that all their moves are under its watch and that if they plan anything funny, the CCP will get to know about it instantly.
Who are the Chaoyang Masses?
Officially, the Chaoyang masses are a force of volunteers, retired individuals and women who help keep their neighbourhood clean and tidy and prevent antisocial activities. Unofficially, the Chaoyang masses are the CCP’s domestic surveillance force. They observe, listen, and follow every clue that might lead to a potential legal case. According to state media, more than 850,000 such volunteers were registered across Beijing in the summer of 2017. Therefore, one can only imagine the size which this CCP militia has harnessed today.
According to the Guardian, these CCP spies have often been credited with turning in prominent artists and celebrities. These include the Hollywood actor Jackie Chan’s son Jaycee, who was arrested on drug-related charges in 2014. The Chaoyang masses have also been praised for keeping an eye on foreign agents. In 2017, Xi Jinping spoke fondly of them when inspecting Beijing and said, “Where there are more red armbands, there is extra safety and peace of mind.” Of course, he was referring to his own peace of mind, as the Chaoyang masses help prevent popular uprisings against the CCP by nipping them right in the bud.
Chaoyang volunteers are paid 300 yuan to 500 yuan (£35-£60) a month. And if accidents happen in the line of duty, volunteers receive up to 1.2m yuan (£136,000) insurance compensation as well as an additional subsidy. The Chaoyang masses have been shot to the limelight once again owing to their tipoff to Beijing Police regarding the “piano prince” Li Yundi, who has been detained for allegedly hiring a sex worker.
Xi Jinping’s Coup Fears
A revolution is around the corner in China. There is only so much the Chinese people can tolerate. Under the totalitarian rule of the Chinese Communist Party, the people of China are seething with anger. They are not even allowed to express this anger. However, that in no manner suggests that the Chinese populace will not take to the streets against Xi Jinping when push comes to shove.
Investors are fleeing China. Xi Jinping is turning China into a global pariah which wages wars against all its neighbours, thus putting the lives of all Chinese people at peril. Jinping is establishing a reign for himself in which rebellions will always threaten his regime.
No matter how oppressed people are, they simply cannot sit back and mutely spectate as the government runs all over them, destroys their livelihoods, sinks a decent economy, makes the conduct of business extremely difficult and begins a wide-ranging crackdown on leisure activities. The CCP has, since November last year, initiated an all-pervasive crackdown, beginning with the Tech sector and most recently, targeting the country’s super-rich – who are now committing billions towards Xi Jinping’s “common prosperity” goals.
In order to prevent a popular uprising against him, Xi Jinping needs eyes and ears on the ground. And that role is being played by the Chaoyang masses on behalf of the CCP. This force of CCP spies is making life miserable for ordinary Chinese citizens. They are constantly being watched and listened to. Privacy has become an alien concept in China, thanks to the Chaoyang masses. And this too shall end up compounding Jinping’s woes. The people of China will remember how the regime spied on them, and when the time does come, they will exact their revenge.