Since Xi Jinping, the leader of the Chinese Communist Party, took office, information control has tightened significantly in recent years, expanding into various areas. Observers from the outside world believe that the CCP’s comprehensive tightening of information has made it more difficult for the outside world to understand the internal situation in China. This also reflects the regime’s sense of crisis of collapsing, but this cannot stop the trend of its downfall.
The CCP authorities are set to implement the “Regulations on the Dissemination of Military Information on the Internet” starting in March. Of particular note is the prohibition of producing, copying, publishing, or disseminating information containing military secrets, defense technology industry secrets, or undisclosed information. The CCP’s Ministry of State Security had warned military enthusiasts as a “high-risk group” involved in military espionage in December 2023 and March 2024.
A recent report by Voice of America highlighted the issue. Mark, the host of the “Eagle and Shield” online military program, stated that the CCP’s military, like the Soviet Union in the past, always promotes itself as powerful and technologically advanced, but the reality may be different. To avoid being exposed, they tighten controls on the leakage of military-related information, especially concerning sensitive technological aspects.
Mark admitted that the CCP’s regulations will make it difficult for the outside world to objectively assess the strength of its military.
Taiwan expert Lin Yingyu, who is dedicated to CCP military research, stated that with the introduction of these regulations, Beijing has essentially sealed off a channel for outsiders to peek into the hardware developments of the CCP military. Additionally, discussions and information about military personnel changes and promotions are likely to be subjected to control, making it challenging for observers of the CCP military to gauge its internal dynamics in the future.
However, he emphasized that as the CCP military becomes more opaque, it only highlights the severity of corruption issues. On the other hand, the more they try to silence internal criticisms, the more speculative and bizarre the outside world’s views on the CCP military’s movements become.
Researcher Shen Mingshi from the National Security Research Institute of the Taiwan Institute for National Defense and Security Studies believes that besides preventing the leakage of military secrets, another consideration for the CCP with this regulation is to consolidate the authority of Xi Jinping, the Chairman of the Central Military Commission. This is because there have been hints in recent information from the military suggesting personal dictatorship under Xi Jinping. He speculated that there might be some disagreements or even divisions between Xi Jinping and the military.
On the economic front, Beijing has been gradually restricting the disclosure of sensitive data in recent years, particularly unfavorable economic data related to land sales, foreign exchange reserves, bond transactions, etc.
China’s crucial academic database, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), restricted access for overseas subscribers starting from April 1, 2023. The University of California, Berkeley, stated online that this means foreign academic professionals cannot access Chinese papers, patents, statistical data, and conference materials.
The Chinese official announcement stated that starting from August 19, 2024, the real-time trading data representing foreign capital through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect would no longer be public, making it more difficult to observe the withdrawal of foreign capital from China.
In June 2023, China’s youth unemployment rate hit a historic high of 21.3%, surpassing the official expectations for July. However, the National Bureau of Statistics promptly announced the suspension of related youth unemployment rate data publication.
A report from Radio Free Asia pointed out that with the slowdown of the Chinese economy and geopolitical tensions, multinational companies are reassessing their business layouts in China. Especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, many experienced Chinese businessmen and journalists have been forced or chosen to leave China. The tightening political control under the leadership of Xi Jinping’s CCP regime has also deepened security concerns among foreign companies.
The various methods employed by the CCP for technology theft and “overtaking in curves” have been criticized internationally. As international opposition intensifies, the CCP has increased its investments in technology, establishing the Central Science and Technology Commission and restructuring the National Science and Technology Department in 2023. However, it has been observed that the organizational setup of the CCP’s technology department has become more opaque.
According to public reports, the CCP’s Ministry of Science and Technology underwent internal organizational adjustments, including offices, departments numbered one through ten, the International Cooperation Department, Personnel Department, Party Committee, and Retired Cadres Bureau; each department also houses sub-sections numbered accordingly. Previously, the ministry’s departments included the Strategic Planning Department, Policy and Regulation Innovation System Construction Department, Resource Allocation and Management Department, and Science and Technology Supervision and Integrity Building Department, among others, indicating specific functions.
Traditionally, the internal institutions of CCP central departments are named with numerical sequences, such as the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, which was upgraded to the Central Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, establishing eight bureaus with detailed functions. However, the ten departments of the Ministry of Science and Technology lack publicly disclosed job descriptions.
Information related to internal strifes and corruption within the CCP has become even more opaque than before. While there are official reports on anti-corruption efforts, many high-ranking officials were disciplined without clear explanations. For example, two State Councilors, Qin Gang and Li Shangfu, initially disappeared before their involvement in wrongdoings was confirmed. Similarly, officials like Yuan Jie, Chairman of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, and Chen Guoying, General Manager of China North Industries Group Corporation, went missing for a while before quietly being dismissed with unclear whereabouts.
Several high-ranking officials including Minister of Industry and Information Technology Jin Zhuanglong, Deputy Director of the CCP’s Military-Civil Fusion Office Lei Fanpei, Zhang Hongwen, Member of the Anhui Provincial Standing Committee and Party Secretary of Hefei, Zhou Xinmin, Chairman of Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Yu Jianfeng, Chairman of China National Nuclear Corporation, Xu Xianping, Chairman of the China North Industries Group Corporation, Liu Dashan, General Manager of China North Industries Group Corporation, and former Secretary of Hunan Provincial Party Committee, Xie Dazhe, have not been definitively confirmed to be in trouble after missing important meetings or events.
Four generals who were absent from the promotion ceremony at the end of last year, including Army Commander Li Qiaoming, former Army Political Commissar Qin Shutong, Navy Political Commissar Yuan Huazhi, and Armed Police Commander Wang Chunning, remain in unclear situations.
Regarding the livelihood of the people, during the Chinese New Year, a severe outbreak plagued China, and messages on social media indicated hospitals being overwhelmed and reports of deaths among patients. Recent revelations from local residents to the Epoch Times indicate that local hospitals and crematoria are overflowing, with an increase in sudden deaths. Authorities claimed that 99% of the epidemic was influenza A, but netizens questioned if it was actually COVID-19, with no means of confirmation. As of today (February 22), the authorities have not resumed the publication of funeral data.
Expert on China issues and former mainland professional doctor Tang Jingyuan previously analyzed to the Epoch Times, stating that the CCP’s cover-up and downplaying of the epidemic lies in its institutional inertia. Regardless of the scale of natural disasters or calamities, the CCP always fabricates an image of calm and prosperity under its leadership, promoting an illusion of peace and prosperity.
Commentator Li Linyi expressed to the Epoch Times that the CCP has had a comprehensive system of internet censorship and surveillance for many years. Now with further tightening of information, it has indeed increased the difficulty for the outside world to access true information about China. However, at the same time, it reflects the regime’s fear of collapse. “The biological instinct is to tighten up in times of danger, and the Communist Party is no exception. But the issue is that no matter how much it tightens externally or protects itself, it won’t stop the trend of collapse, as the real crisis lies internally; the CCP’s interior is already rotten to the core.”