China has the blues. Students take photos sprawled face down, "zombie style". A selfie of an unemployed factory worker "lying flat" in bed sums up the national mood.¹

Chinese citizens are "bewildered" and "frustrated", according to interviews by journalist Evan Osnos.² China, he writes, is "slipping from motion to stagnationNot moving or growing. ".

In 1978, it was one of the world's poorest countries. As the communistAn economic system entailing collective ownership of all means of production in contrast with capitalism, which holds that industry and businesses are controlled and run for profit by private owners rather than by the government. state opened up to global trade, the economy doubled each decade. By 2010, it was the second-largest and had lifted almost 800 million people from poverty.³

After Xi Jinping became president in 2013, he told young people to "dare to dream". But now, he says they must "eat bitterness" as growth stalls and jobs dry up.

Over 300,000 Chinese emigrated in 2022, and one expert thinks youth unemployment has hit 46%.⁴ Will this lead to revolution?

In 2018, Xi changed the constitution to allow him to rule for life. Workers must study his political philosophy, and places for free thinking, like bookshops and bars, have shut. Online discussion is controlled, including a ban on 564 nicknames for Xi.⁵

The president has gone after anyone who might challenge him. In recent years, high-profile generals, ministers and businessmen have "disappeared" or been charged with corruption.

Protest is rare in China. But during Covid-19, people took to the streets in the largest demonstrations since 1989. They demanded an end to strict lockdown measures.

Some experts argue this may be a sign of things to come.⁶ For the first time in decades, widespread popular protest targeted the central government. And it was not just about Covid-19. People demanded less state censorshipPreventing or stopping speech, writing or communication that is considered harmful or "inconvenient". and more free speech.

A top Chinese economist says the current leadership are "fundamentalistsPeople who believe in the strict or literal interpretation of a religious document. ", and people want "constitutionalism and human rights".⁷ Critics blame Xi for China's malaiseA feeling of sadness or uneasiness. , and unrest could challenge the man opponents call "the last emperor".

Others fear the consequences of rebellion. Recently, a drone issued a dystopianRelating to an imagined society where there is great suffering or injustice.  warning to angry citizens: "Control your soul's desire for freedom. Do not open the window to sing." It is an open question whether young people will listen.

Yes: Never in history have so many people been controlled by one man. They have given up many freedoms for the promise of a richer society. Fed up and disappointed, they will want their freedom back.

No: President Xi has removed all opposition to his power. People are angry but also fearful - they live in a society where anyone could disappear without warning, and where public protest is impossible.

Or... Not yet. Regimes like this do not last forever, especially when they fail to provide basic needs to their citizens. But it may take many more years before the right circumstances for change emerge.