Will there be a revolution? China's leaders Xi Jinping has cracked down on freedoms as the economy struggles. People are losing hope. But will they dare to call for change?
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China's gloom: the real story of our time
Will there be a revolution? China's leaders Xi Jinping has cracked down on freedoms as the economy struggles. People are losing hope. But will they dare to call for change?
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What's happening?
China has the bluesAn expression meaning "being gloomy". . A selfie of a jobless factory worker lying in bed sums up the mood of the country.
People are unhappy, says reporter Evan Osnos. China, he writes, used to be a country that was constantly moving forward. Now it is staying still.
In 1978, it was one of the world's poorest countries. By 2010, it was the second-largest economyThe way that money flows through a country, which affects wages and the cost of living. in the world.
After Xi JinpingThe president of China, who has concentrated power and removed term limits allowing him to serve for life. became presidentIn some countries, the leader is called the president. in 2013, he told young people to "dare to dream". But now, many cannot find jobs.
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Places where people can talk about new ideas, like bookshops, have shut. People are banned from talking about many things online.
This has created a culture of fear. ProtestAround 500,000 people attended the Women's March on Washington on January 21st. Similar marches took place in cities around the world; it is thought that around 5m people took part. is rare in China. But in 2022, people took to the streets, calling for an end to the strictHarsh and believing that rules must be followed exactly. Covid-19 lockdown.
Experts say this may be a sign of things to come. Critics blame Xi for China's gloominess. Some say if enough people rise up, Xi could be "the last emperorRuler of an empire.".
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Will there be a revolution?
Yes! China's people have given up a lot of their freedoms to have a richer country. But if they cannot find jobs, they may rise up against their leaders.
No! President Xi has made sure that no one can challenge his power. People are angry, but they are too afraid to protest against him.
Keywords
The blues - An expression meaning "being gloomy".
Economy - The way that money flows through a country, which affects wages and the cost of living.
Xi Jinping - The president of China, who has concentrated power and removed term limits allowing him to serve for life.
President - In some countries, the leader is called the president.
Protest - Around 500,000 people attended the Women's March on Washington on January 21st. Similar marches took place in cities around the world; it is thought that around 5m people took part.
Strict - Harsh and believing that rules must be followed exactly.
emperor - Ruler of an empire.
China’s gloom: the real story of our time
Power grab: China's president Xi Jinping could rule for life after removing term-limits. Glossary
The blues - An expression meaning "being gloomy".
Economy - The way that money flows through a country, which affects wages and the cost of living.
Xi Jinping - The president of China, who has concentrated power and removed term limits allowing him to serve for life.
President - In some countries, the leader is called the president.
Protest - Around 500,000 people attended the Women's March on Washington on January 21st. Similar marches took place in cities around the world; it is thought that around 5m people took part.
Strict - Harsh and believing that rules must be followed exactly.
emperor - Ruler of an empire.