Posted on 07/10/2025 9:41:09 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
As we reach the midpoint of 2025, it is evident that this year has been characterized by turbulence, uncertainty, and deepening despair for many in communist China.
Six phenomena best capture the country’s current state: decline, fierce competition, political struggles, the “run” movement, random acts of violence, and the “lying flat” movement.
They reveal the erosion of trust and a growing sense of disillusionment and unrest among the populace.
For many in China, 2025 is the most challenging year in nearly three decades, with numerous sectors of society experiencing a significant downturn. The real estate market is the most notable example.
By the end of May, average transaction floor prices for residential land had fallen by nearly 50 percent in second-tier cities and almost 40 percent in third-tier cities. These prices are calculated by dividing the total land cost by the total floor area that can legally be built, providing a measure of the land acquisition cost for developers.
Local governments, heavily dependent on land sales for revenue, saw this vital stream nearly vanish—crippling their finances.
The economic downturn is evident in the decline of consumer spending. Signs of shrinking domestic demand include price wars in the electric vehicle sector, the widespread closure of small businesses, and decreasing sales of luxury goods such as cosmetics, high-end watches, and designer handbags. Additionally, many foreign companies are either downsizing their operations or leaving the country altogether.
Salary cuts have affected employees across various sectors, including banks, securities companies, civil services, and both state-owned and private enterprises. Moreover, the unemployment rate among recent college graduates is rising, leading many individuals to anticipate joblessness after graduation.
Yet the most significant decline is not related to the economy but to the public’s confidence in the regime. Among ordinary citizens and government officials, many have lost hope in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). No amount of optimistic rhetoric or economic stimulus can reverse this situation. The erosion of trust has triggered capital flight and stock market exits, posing perhaps the greatest legitimacy crisis the CCP has ever faced.
Excessive competition within the same industry has been a longstanding issue under communist rule, leading to infighting and internal exhaustion.
This year has seen a notable increase in the closures of various businesses, including restaurants, hair salons, bubble tea shops, beauty parlors, and car dealerships. While the economic downturn is a significant factor, internal competition has also played a vital role. There are too many businesses vying for a limited demand, which has prompted them to undercut each other in increasingly unsustainable ways. As a result, many are struggling, ultimately leading to shutdowns, and the deteriorating economy has only worsened this situation.
Infighting among top CCP officials is one of the most sensitive and consequential developments this year, particularly evident in the ongoing military purge.
What began in late 2023 as a sweeping crackdown on the Rocket Force—initially targeting high-ranking officials seen as disloyal to Chinese leader Xi Jinping—took a dramatic turn in the second half of 2024. In a striking reversal, the latest purges have targeted Xi’s allies, suggesting a weakening of his grip on power.
According to credible insiders speaking to overseas Chinese dissidents, Xi’s role has now become largely ceremonial. There are growing indications that top CCP officials have reached a consensus: Xi will soon be officially removed from power.
This unexpected power shift has become the defining feature of China’s political landscape in 2025.
This situation describes the increasing trend of Chinese citizens attempting to leave the country by any means available.
Following the CCP’s draconian three-year COVID-19 lockdowns, a growing number of people sought to emigrate to the United States, with some even illegally crossing its southern border on foot. But with President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, that pathway is now largely closed.
In recent years, some Chinese also attempted to settle in Canada by overstaying tourist visas and applying for political asylum. However, Canada has also tightened its visa policies.
Now, Thailand and Malaysia have emerged as new destinations for middle-income Chinese hoping to join the “run” movement.
For wealthier individuals, Japan has become an increasingly attractive destination compared to many Western countries, thanks to its relatively accessible business manager visa.
This visa has no requirements for Japanese language proficiency, academic qualifications, or age limits. Instead, applicants must invest a minimum of 5 million yen (approximately $35,000) in a Japanese company, register the business, and secure a physical office space.
Additionally, the business must employ at least one full-time staff member who is either a Japanese national, a permanent resident, the spouse or child of a Japanese national or permanent resident, or a foreign national with long-term resident status. Applicants can bring their family members if their business plan is approved.
Regardless of their socioeconomic status, many Chinese are leaving the country. This trend underscores the grim reality of oppressive governance, where mounting pressures compel people to take drastic measures.
Another disturbing phenomenon is the rise in random assaults over the past two years.
Many Chinese, either trapped by overwhelming hardship or victimized by injustice, have no outlet for their grievances. Tragically, violence often ensues when they lash out in an attempt to express their pain. The following events could be linked to this.
On Jan. 27, in Bozhou, Anhui Province, a sedan plowed into a crowd, injuring multiple people.
Then, on March 23, a man carried out a knife attack outside a supermarket in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, randomly targeting passersby. Several people were reportedly injured. A netizen posted videos of the incident on social media that may be disturbing to some viewers (link).
Just days later, on March 26, in Anyang, Henan Province, a taxi drove erratically down the road, hitting pedestrians and vehicles. Some sources claimed that pedestrians and food couriers were killed. A netizen posted a video on social media that may be disturbing to some viewers (link).
Authorities quickly censored information regarding these incidents.
This movement, initiated by young people in China in recent years, is a response to societal burnout, where individuals withdraw from the competitive frenzy and adopt a slower, minimalist lifestyle.
A new term has emerged to describe individuals who take the concept of “lying flat” to the extreme: the “Five Nos” youth. These individuals consciously choose not to buy a house or a car, avoid making unnecessary purchases, and forgo marriage and children. Their focus is on minimizing expenses as much as possible.
As the economy continues to deteriorate, this passive withdrawal from societal expectations has become increasingly widespread. In essence, Chinese society seems to have lost its vitality.
These miseries are the outcome of decades of communist rule coupled with a continuously weakening economy.
The CCP had hoped to stimulate the economy by relying on an internal circulation model, encouraging people to spend their remaining savings. However, this strategy has failed because China lacks a reliable social security or welfare system. With people earning less, they are too afraid to spend. Consequently, consumption has stalled, and the economy has slipped into deeper stagnation.
As a result, all the gains from years of reform and opening up have been exhausted as of today.
Furthermore, the CCP’s governance model is detrimental to society, especially in times of crisis. Misguided attempts to cling to power—such as implementing the draconian zero-COVID policy during the pandemic, adopting wolf-warrior diplomacy, and allowing the unchecked growth of the real estate bubble—have seriously harmed Chinese society.
Worse still, the Party has eroded China’s moral compass. Dishonesty, betrayal, and opportunism have become increasingly commonplace, resulting in a pervasive atmosphere of mutual distrust in everyday life. In 2025, the consequences of this decades-long degradation have reached a breaking point.
If the CCP continues its rule, ordinary citizens will face increasingly difficult years ahead.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Itvis amazing how fortuitous Trump’s time in history has been. It is reasonable to say that he may have been chosen for a purpose, because everything is happening with him as President.
Seems like China may have peaked due to their one child policy. Now they’re in quite a hole.
Hmmmm….which is more damaging? Men in woman’s sports, boys in girls locker rooms, Transxyz’s in every .gov agency, gay marriage, wokeism, etc….?
Epoch Times is a propaganda source. Every other article is a hit bit on China. China has problems, but they are on their way up - similar to the USA in the 1950’s and 60s..
Do you know your tax dollars pay over $1B/year on anti-China propaganda?
All governments are similar to crime families. Just the way the world works.
A flood of illegal aliens overturning our constitutional system, a financial death spiral, and a war with China, are examples of things that would be truly damaging.
Men in women sports makes for good politics for Republicans while those other issues are life and death for Americans.
Review
And every other publication is propaganda, too, especially the MSM where Chinese own substantial stock. They put out puff pieces on China, and have for decades.
The ccp burned most of china’s history and art, mao killed 40 million just for ignorance and kicks, then later they killed off most of their intelligent population. The ccp trained the people to cheat, lie and steal from foreigners on government orders. This back fired on them via the tofu building practices. Where there is two or more chinese there is theft and graft.
Public and private and government building has collapsed and killed school children.
The chinese people were showed the golden city and then the ccp burned it down.
The flooding from the three rivers dam grows worse by the year.
Is anyone taking bets on when and how badly the three rivers dam will fail?
And xi will soon just be X.
mao killed 40 million
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Correction:
Mao murdered 69 million.
China really IS the paper tiger
The article barely scratches the surface of the deteriation of present day China.
The CCP is the primary driving force and Xi is or was the driver. Xi et al want to restore true communism
The CCP is destroying what is in order to create a pure communist society absent of all vestiges of the present day freedoms and capitalism.
The CCP is succeeding in the transition
*** Epoch Times is a propaganda source. ***
Falun Gong sect runs Epoch Times, and Shen Yun dance troupe. Also, their Falun Dafa philosophy of beliefs, meditation, physical practices, etc.
If you’ve seen the commercials “China before Communism”, touting their Dance Troupe, that’s them. (China still promotes its cultural heritage and traditions, BTW)
Their Falun Gong headquarters is a 427 acre compound in Dragon Springs, NY. The US government has given them $$$$, and also passed the Falun Gong Protection Act of 2025.
It was potentially better that 2020 turned out as it did.
Trump came in full speed ahead on 2025, poised to fumigate the Biden Harris Dem contamination
The timing may have been perfect
I just read another thread where the number of Mao’s murders are even higher - sorry I don’t remember the thread title.
The number I have come from historians, not some random article of book.
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Combat deaths:
In all wars between 1900 and 1987, including World Wars I and II, Vietnam, Korea, and the Mexican and Russian Revolutions = 34,100,000 combat deaths
Civilian
24,000,000 USSR
3,800,000 Germany
1,400,000 Yugoslavia
6,028,000 Poland
152,941 Italy
15,300 USA
The Soviet Union:
WWII Combat deaths: 26,400,000 - Sokolov
WWII Civilian deaths: 24,000,000 - Korol
Murdered by Stalin: 1917-1987 = 61,911,000
Germany:
WWII Combat deaths: 4,750,000 - Eckhardt
WWII Civilian deaths: 3,800,000 - Encarta
Murdered by Hitler: 1933-1945 = 20,946,000
China:
WWII Combat deaths: 6,400,000 - Kinder
Mao by starvation: 1958-1961 = 38,000,000
Mao by murder: 1923-1949 = 3,466,000
1949-1987 = 35,236,000
Total: 1923-1987 = 76,702,000
Does not count those murdered by Japan in China and SE Asia, Pacific Islands
Japan:
WWII Combat deaths: 2,000,000 - Urlanis
Japanese by murder:
10,000,000
369,366 - Nanking, China
Does not count those who were murdered after Vietnam war (2 mil), or Cambodia - (4 mil)
Yugoslavia:
WWII Combat deaths: 400,000 - Eckhardt
WWII Civilian deaths: 1,400,000 - Urlanis
Poland:
WWII Combat deaths: 850,000 - HarperCollins
WWII Civilian deaths: 6,028,000
Italy:
WWII Combat deaths: 400,000 - Urlanis
WWII Civilian deaths: 152,941 - Britannica
US:
WWII Combat deaths: 408,000 - Eckhardt
WWII Civilian deaths: 15,300
Thanks.
Yes - agree..
All political states are evil - think of them as competing crime families that place propaganda in what people think is the news.
I have no love for any government, I think of them as competing crime families - some might be a bit better than others, but dark triad personalities rise to the top of ALL political systems. I wish I had an idea of how to fix it - but I don’t see how?
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