Xi Jinping’s New Surveillance Strategy: An Army of Eyes and Ears

Reviving Mao-era Tactics for Total Control

By Ankit Shukla Repoting From Codewithindia, May 25, 2024, 10:15 a.m.

In the bustling streets of Beijing, an intricate web of surveillance is tightening its grip on everyday life. Under the leadership of Xi Jinping, China has resurrected and modernized a surveillance campaign reminiscent of Mao Zedong’s era. This initiative, dubbed the “Fengqiao experience for a new era,” aims to integrate the Communist Party deeply into the fabric of daily life, ensuring any potential unrest is swiftly managed.

The New Surveillance Network

• Community Patrols: Local volunteers keep a vigilant eye on their neighborhoods, reporting any unusual activities to authorities.
• Categorization of Residents: Detailed records categorize residents by their perceived trustworthiness—green for trustworthy, yellow for those needing attention, and orange for strict control.
• Monitoring in Schools and Workplaces: Special consultants in schools and workplaces report on students and employees, furthering the party’s reach.

The Resurgence of Fengqiao

The concept of the “Fengqiao experience” harks back to the 1960s, where Mao encouraged citizens to publicly re-educate political enemies. While modern applications under Xi Jinping avoid such extreme measures, the principle remains: mobilizing ordinary citizens to help maintain party control.

Modern Impacts

1. Strengthened Local Governance: Officials, police, and even retired citizens are mobilized to monitor and report on community issues.
2. Public Service vs. Control: The government promotes these efforts as beneficial public services, but critics see them as tools for suppressing dissent.
3. Economic and Social Ramifications: The pervasive surveillance impacts businesses and individual freedoms alike.

Spotlight on Zhangjiawan

The suburb of Zhangjiawan in Beijing is a showcase of the modern Fengqiao approach. Regular patrols by police and neighborhood officials ensure compliance with safety regulations and health guidelines. While some residents, like meat seller Wang Li, appreciate the sense of security, others feel pressured and harassed, such as a villager named Ms. Mu, who resists relocation efforts.

Balancing Act

The party’s drive for control yields mixed reactions:

• Positive Responses: Some residents value the increased safety and order.
• Negative Repercussions: Political activists and dissenters face intense scrutiny and restrictions.

Conclusion

Xi Jinping’s strategy of embedding the Communist Party deeply into everyday life aims to preemptively quell unrest. This extensive surveillance network seeks to maintain stability but risks undermining the legitimacy the party aims to protect by stifling dissent and criticism. As China’s surveillance apparatus continues to evolve, the debate over security versus personal freedoms intensifies.

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