[spaceman_2020]

I feel bad for young Chinese people who were born after the economy opened up. Can't shake the feeling that the world that they've known is about to be turned upside down, and not for the better.

Increasingly hard to go back to business as usual with China. And I'm not even sure Xi wants to go back to business as usual.

[abudabi123]

Xi has a place on his priority table for the real economy and ordinary folk and those in abject poverty and proper ecological stewardship. Gone are the late nights of celebratory indulgence to excess juicing the spreadsheet numbers in immitative unsustainable businesscult imprinted from the west

[loudmax]

There is a nuanced point to be made for Xi's alleged concern for the welfare of ordinary folk rather than the elite, but that's not it.

If you're feeling generous toward the world's most powerful autocrat, you can extend the benefit of the doubt that perhaps Xi's policies may turn out to benefit China's poorest and the ecology. But there is no doubt that Xi's anti-vax zero-covid policy has inflicted significant damage to the economy of China's middle class.

Xi has also consolidated political power for himself without setting up any form of succession. He's overseen construction of the most advanced surveillance society that has ever existed. The Chinese people enjoy less freedom now than they did twenty years ago. Maybe history will prove him right, but the historical record for these policies aren't encouraging for China.

[brnt]

We must follow strong man! Strong man will save us! Strong men have never overpromised, ever, and always do exactly what they say!

[tomcam]

Definitely not a soldier in the 50 cent army. Just a typical HN account. Nothing to see here.

[Jordanpomeroy]

Riiiiiight