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?
X
Next
China's malaise: 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?
X
PreviousNext
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 "frustrated", 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. But it soon opened up to trade with the world. 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. One expertSomeone who knows a lot about a particular subject. thinks nearly half of all young people cannot find work.
In 2018, Xi changed China's rules to allow him to stay in power for life. Places where people can talk about new ideas, like bookshops, have shut. People are banned from talking about many things online.
Find out more
This has created a culture of fear. Important people, including business leaders and politicians, have "disappeared" and been put in jail.
Protest 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.".
Others say that people are too afraid. They will not want to find out what happens if Xi cracks down even more.
X
Previous
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.
Expert - Someone who knows a lot about a particular subject.
Strict - Harsh and believing that rules must be followed exactly.
emperor - Ruler of an empire.
China’s malaise: 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.
Expert - Someone who knows a lot about a particular subject.
Strict - Harsh and believing that rules must be followed exactly.
emperor - Ruler of an empire.