In November last year, the CCP authorities launched a major sweep in Beijing under the pretext of ensuring safety, targeting and expelling the "low-end population." The image shows CCP-hired enforcers conducting the sweep, resembling the SS forces used to clear out Jewish populations. (Provided by a netizen)
[November 6, 2024] The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) recently held a two-day Central Social Work Conference, with state media reports indicating that these affairs are under the control of current Politburo Standing Committee member Cai Qi. The newly established "Central Social Work Department," notorious since last year, has been criticized as an "authoritarian patch" designed to prevent civil unrest, intensifying human rights abuses.
On November 6, CCP's Xinhua News Agency reported that the Central Social Work Conference was held in Beijing on November 5 and 6. Xi Jinping issued instructions on social work, claiming that this work "relates to the CCP's long-term rule." Cai Qi, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee and Secretary of the Central Secretariat, attended the meeting. In his speech, Cai praised Xi Jinping's "profound insight" and emphasized adherence to the "Fengqiao Experience" model.
The Central Social Work Department's official website was launched on October 1 of this year, revealing a list of six senior officials.
Established last year, the Central Social Work Department has branches throughout China, responsible for controlling petitioners and overseeing the CCP's so-called Party-building and grassroots governance. Its work includes overseeing industry associations, chambers of commerce, mixed-ownership enterprises, non-public enterprises, new economic organizations, new social organizations, and new employment groups, including volunteer groups.
The "new employment groups" defined by authorities include delivery workers, food delivery couriers, ride-hailing drivers, and local freight drivers.
Amid economic stagnation in China, rising unemployment, and increasing numbers of people entering the delivery industry, the CCP’s State Administration for Market Regulation issued a document in June directing food couriers to "follow the Party." The agency hired a group of "highly responsible" part-time social supervisors among couriers, encouraging them to participate in grassroots governance through initiatives like "snap-and-report." The official document explicitly stated that these roles are promoted under the guidance of the Central Social Work Department.
This announcement sparked widespread reaction on China’s Weibo platform.
Additionally, the CCP has recently expanded its community worker teams, extending surveillance over citizens' lives. Mr. Han from Qingdao, Shandong, a community worker, revealed to Voice of America that community workers are an "advanced version" of grid managers. One focus is monitoring visits from long-term overseas residents to relatives.
U.S.-based scholar Wu Zuo-lai, familiar with the CCP system, told Epoch Times that the Central Social Work Department operates a vast network for social control.
Scholar Wu Guoguang, also in the U.S., has referred to the Central Social Work Department as an "authoritarian patch." He believes the CCP aims to strengthen the stability maintenance system to uphold its legitimacy. However, he argues that this legitimacy is unsustainable; as the economy worsens and the government lacks sufficient funds to sustain this extensive repression apparatus, it may eventually fracture.
In recent years, Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized "preserving regime security" and "strengthening stability maintenance," reintroducing Mao-era concepts such as the "Fengqiao Experience."
Former Beijing lawyer and Chair of the Alliance of Chinese Canadians for Democracy, Lai Jianping, previously told Epoch Times that the CCP's oppressive policies have led to widespread public anger, turning China into a "volcano about to erupt" and causing the regime great unease. Now the CCP seeks to bolster stability maintenance mechanisms, penetrating the deepest levels of society to prevent civil unrest. The so-called Fengqiao Experience is intended to ensure that local enforcers and thugs maintain tight control over every individual.
He believes this acts as a temporary patch for the hardline stability maintenance system but fails to address the underlying issues. It will have little effect in resolving the CCP's crisis of rule.
Editor: Li Renhe
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