Worsening Epidemic in China: Children Are Dying; China's Atmosphere Echoes ‘Gang of Four's’ Eve

Wuhan sees surge in respiratory diseases, citizens fear tragedy may repeat. Experts predict, China's economy in 2025 will face total collapse of the four key pillars. Commentator, the atmosphere in China resembles the eve of the Gang of Four's downfall. Centenarian Chinese medicine doctor denounces CCP officials, exposes rampant fake traditional medicines. China recruits civil servants in many regions, bans overseas students from applying. Tiananmen protest leader, analysis of China's political situation in 2025 and Xi Jinping's article. Welcome to Decoding China, your go-to source for vital news and deep insights. Wuhan sees surge in respiratory diseases, citizens fear tragedy may repeat. China is grappling with a worsening epidemic as multiple viruses spread from south to north. With fast transmission rates and high infectivity, pediatric cases are surging and reaching full capacity. In Wuhan, some schools have suspended classes, sparking fears of repeat of the COVID-19 crisis five years ago. A citizen expressed concern, this virus is severe. After over 10 days of trying various remedies, we couldn't hold out and had to come to the hospital. Meanwhile, one medical staff said, all pediatric beds, whether for outpatient, emergency, or observation, are completely full. The Beijing Center for Disease Control has identified the top five pathogens by infection rates as influenza virus, human metapneumovirus, mycoplasma pneumoniae, COVID-19, and adenovirus. Among children under 14, infections with human metapneumovirus are steadily increasing. The medical staff said, most children have co-infections. It's rare to see cases of a single virus. Symptoms escalate within two to three days, often leading to pneumonia upon hospital admission. On January 3, Atul Goel, an official with the Directorate General of Health Services in India, confirmed that human metapneumovirus is spreading in China, warning that both children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. Reports suggest rising fatalities, including among children, as authorities remain silent. A parent said, when my child had a fever before, some medicine would quickly take care of it. But this time, it was different. His breathing became labored, so we rushed him to the hospital, but it was too late. Losing a child so suddenly is unbearable. In Wuhan, local authorities described the current situation as a high-incidence period for respiratory diseases, with influenza as the dominant pathogen. The virus spreads rapidly, with asymptomatic cases reportedly as high as 30%. Its ability to mutate raises concerns about a wider outbreak. Health guidelines show Wuhan's infection index on January 2 reached 2,148,370, a 529% increase from the previous week and 30% higher than the previous day. The actual numbers remain uncertain. A parent in Wuhan's Wuchang district told The Epoch Times that many students are infected, leading to widespread class suspensions. Fears are growing that the current outbreak could mirror the devastating Wuhan epidemic of five years ago. David Su, former director of the acupuncture department at a Chinese medicine hospital, said, Covid-19 sub-variants have already gone through numerous generations of mutation. The origin of any single strain has become highly complex. When combined with other pathogens, this is, in my view, a deadly infectious disease poised for a massive outbreak. Experts predict, China's economy in 2025 will face total collapse of the four key pillars. As previously reported, the first trading day of 2025 dealt a heavy blow to China's A-share market as all three major indices plummeted, marking the worst start in nearly a decade. By the close, the Shanghai Composite Index dropped 2.66% to 3,262.56 points, losing its 3,300-point level. The Shenzhen Component Index fell 3.14% to 10,088.06 points, while the Chinex Index briefly lost over 4% intraday before closing down 3.79% at 2,060.44 points. Over 4,300 stocks declined across the market. Dr. Qin Peng, a US-based political and economic analyst, described the situation on his program Qin Peng Observation. He highlighted three major crises dragging the Chinese economy into deeper trouble, a real estate downturn, rising debt levels, and demographic challenges. These crises, he explained, are taking a toll on every financial sector. Qin emphasized that China's stock market is now revealing its true state. He pointed to the market's decline in 2024, where despite government rescue efforts, the Shanghai Composite Index repeatedly fell back to 2,700 points. The current level above 3,000, he argued, is not a sign of economic improvement, but rather the result of government interventions and state-backed funds propping up the market. Qin warned that if economic realities worsen and US-China tensions rise, capital will inevitably flee the market. In the real estate sector, known as a pillar of its economy, Qin predicted continued declines in both prices and sales, with tensions between homebuyers and developers likely to escalate over delayed property deliveries. He also pointed out that China's housing surplus, coupled with a shrinking population, makes a recovery in property prices unlikely. The fact that many properties are held by CCP elites only adds to the instability, as their large-scale sell-offs could further drive prices down. Turning to the currency market, Qin noted that the yuan is under significant depreciation pressure. This stems from a strong US dollar, heightened tariffs, and Beijing's loose monetary policy, which could widen interest rate differentials and weaken the currency further. Finally, Qin warned of growing pressure on China's bond market. Government bond yields have fallen to alarming levels, with one-year yields dropping below 1 percent and 30-year yields now lower than Japan's. This reflects widespread pessimism about China's economic outlook, with some investors believing the bond market may follow Japan's path of prolonged stagnation, or worse, Venezuela's. Commentator, the atmosphere in China resembles the eve of the Gang of Four's downfall. China's economy is in recession, and even its capital, Beijing, has descended into desolation, with public grievances growing louder. On January 2, political commentator Lin Fei published an opinion piece on Radio Free Asia titled Alive, the Year of the Snake Wish of the Chinese People. The article described how many Chinese are reluctantly bracing for what seems to be the worst year in nearly 50 years, capturing a widespread sense of apprehension as they enter 2025. For most people, simply surviving has become the defining theme of the year, accompanied by a palpable nothing-to-lose mentality. In Beijing, for example, more and more taxi and ride-hailing drivers, fully aware of real-time surveillance in their vehicles, are still openly venting their frustrations about the country's authoritarian rule. Lin's article noted that this pervasive discontent has become the new normal, spreading from remote counties to major urban centers. The situation bears striking similarities to the period before the October coup of 1976. In this atmosphere of widespread frustration and resentment, the people seem to be rediscovering their sense of political agency. The October coup refers to the 1976 political upheaval following Mao Zedong's death, when Hua Guofeng and Ye Jianying led a coup to remove the Gang of Four and put an end to the Cultural Revolution. Lin also highlighted the unprecedented nature of Xi Jinping's New Year address this year. Delivered from a location outside his Xiongnanhai office, the speech broke from tradition. Some interpreted this as a symbolic farewell, as Xi's tone was notably humble, suggesting that the leader, isolated at the center of an information vacuum, has come to realize the severity of people's hardships during a harsh winter and the onset of a major economic depression. It also hinted that his nationalist strategy may no longer be viable. The absence of familiar symbols in Xi's address, such as family photos and the iconic red phone on his desk, further fueled speculation. While some saw it as a sign of waning authority, others recalled a similar break from tradition in 2017, another year when Trump assumed office in the White House, a parallel that hasn't gone unnoticed in 2025. Lin's article delved deeply into the struggles of ordinary citizens, highlighting the middle class's plight following the withdrawal of foreign-developed drugs from China's healthcare system, the difficulties faced by workers under cost-cutting measures from both state-owned and private enterprises, and the alarming reality of 60 million Chinese women being forced into the sex industry or related sectors. Recently, videos circulating on Chinese social media have vividly depicted the economic stagnation gripping Beijing, which is so severe that it evokes comparisons to the Great Depression, echoing the central theme of Lin's article, Alive, the Year of the Snake Wish of the Chinese People. Centenarian Chinese medicine doctor denounces CCP officials, exposes rampant fake traditional medicines. During the Fifth National Conference on the Inheritance and Innovation of Traditional Chinese Medicine held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, an elderly practitioner disrupted the event to expose widespread corruption in the industry. The conference, attended by CCP officials and nearly a thousand participants, took an unexpected turn. According to multiple videos on Platform X, an elderly woman with snow-white hair, dressed in a green casual outfit, is seen walking onto the stage. She introduced herself as a senior advisor invited to the event and began speaking. Her unexpected move left the host and organizers visibly nervous and embarrassed, scrambling to convince her to step down. However, she seized the microphone and delivered a scathing critique of the current state of traditional Chinese medicine. Addressing the organizers, she demanded, why wasn't I scheduled to speak? She then turned to the audience, questioning the credibility of so-called experts, can any of you actually cure diseases? What are those titles for? Her frustration was palpable as she denounced the proliferation of fake medicines. She stated, I used to prescribe herbal remedies, but now I don't dare to. Why? Because the market is filled with counterfeits. Someone in the audience responded, there's no medicine left. She cited her investigation of Chinese medicine markets in Beijing and Anhui, questioning the authenticity of their products. She exclaimed, can the Chinese people still get genuine traditional medicine? Don't joke with me. The practitioner also criticized the industry's reliance on harmful additives and pesticides, accusing officials of turning a blind eye. She said, 90% of our people live in poverty, yet you sit here making lofty speeches. Her words were met with applause and shouts of support from the audience. The situation escalated when a man in black approached the stage and forcibly removed the practitioner. Undeterred, she shook him off and returned to her seat. According to records, the female practitioner was born in 1890 and is highly regarded for both her exceptional medical skills and strong ethical principles. Despite her advanced age, she remains remarkably agile, mentally sharp, and fully aware of current issues. Her claimed age has drawn skepticism from Chinese netizens, with comments like, 135? Obviously fake, that's a bit much, show us her ID, 135 seems unlikely, and who's behind it? Come on. While some questioned her age, others focused on the substance of her remarks. One netizen wrote, she's speaking the truth. I once saw a video where a medicine dealer admitted that counterfeit products are so prevalent even they have to carefully sort them. Another added, greed has corrupted people. All they care about is money. Even the best resources are being ruined. A third remarked, she's exposed a corner of the darkness, delivering a public slap to certain individuals. On Platform X, one user wrote, nothing the elderly woman said will lead to change. The people responsible for fixing the problems are the same ones creating them. Their real talent lies in silencing those who speak out, and their ability to retaliate is unmatched. Another added, this fearless woman came out of nowhere, like a legendary disruptor, and with a few sharp blows, she exposed the facade of Chinese medicine. The issue isn't with traditional Chinese medicine itself, but with how it's been corrupted. Why? Without question, it's the system, an authoritarian system is the root of all evil. China recruits civil servants in many regions, bans overseas students from applying. The Chinese Communist Party has implemented a controversial policy barring overseas graduates from applying for civil servant positions. This shift marks a departure from past practices where overseas graduates, including those from global institutions like Harvard, Cambridge, and Oxford, were included in the talent pool. Critics argue that the ban reflects concerns over control and political loyalty. Some speculate that the CCP perceives overseas graduates as less compliant, while others believe it stems from limited job availability and a need to prioritize candidates with insider connections. According to Ms. Li, a lecturer at a mainland Chinese university, key positions are often reserved for the children of CCP officials through personal connections. With fewer jobs available, these candidates take precedence, leaving little room for others, especially overseas graduates. Ms. Li adds that the CCP's ideological tightening is also a key factor. The party demands absolute loyalty. It screens candidates for any criticism of the government or signs of dissent, even online. Overseas graduates, exposed to freer education systems, are seen as politically unreliable. In recent years, many provinces, including Hebei, Hunan, and Shaanxi, have closed their doors to overseas graduates. Analysts suggest this exclusion reflects both growing economic pressures and the CCP's need to maintain tighter control amid rising domestic instability. Tiananmen protest leader, analysis of China's political situation in 2025 and Xi Jinping's article. As 2025 unfolds, the world's attention has shifted back to China. Over the past year, China's political and economic landscape has been riddled with crises, sparking widespread doubts about whether Xi Jinping can maintain control. To uncover the true dynamics within the Chinese Communist Party, analyzing its official publications remains the most reliable method. On December 31, 2024, Xinhua News Agency republished a speech by Xi Jinping from Cheshire Magazine titled Advancing the Great Cause of National Rejuvenation through Chinese-Style Modernization. According to Tiananmen protest leader Wang Dan, the speech not only sets the tone for Xi's 2025 agenda but also reveals the CCP's strategic considerations amid ongoing turmoil. In detail, the speech was originally delivered on February 7, 2023, during a study session for provincial and ministerial-level officials. The theme was studying and implementing Xi Jinping thought and the spirit of the 20th Party Congress. Xi Jinping presided over the session, emphasizing the importance of studying his own ideology. Nearly a year later, the republication of this speech carries significant political weight, aiming to provide guidance for 2025. Xinhua News Agency accompanied the article with photos of Xi pointing the way, a rare and symbolically charged move. The article's core message revolves around Chinese-style modernization, which Xi positions as the new guiding slogan, replacing previous catchphrases like the China Dream and Xi Jinping Thought. At the beginning of the article, Xi clearly states that Chinese-style modernization is fundamentally socialist modernization under the leadership of the CCP. This definition reinforces the Party's central role. Xi stresses that Party leadership is the essence of modernization. Without it, modernization risks losing direction and leading to disastrous mistakes. This reflects Xi's deep concern about maintaining political stability and his heightened vigilance against potential threats to the regime. Xi's vision for Chinese-style modernization emphasizes unified societal progress under the Party's leadership. Beyond a governance strategy, this also consolidates Xi's personal authority. His mention of disastrous mistakes reveals his focus on internal challenges and the paramount importance of preserving the power structure. The Five Key Challenges Facing the CCP In his speech, Xi highlighted five critical challenges to the CCP's governance. Managing a Massive Population Addressing the basic needs of 1.4 billion people is a colossal task. Despite acknowledging population pressures, the CCP simultaneously pushes for population growth, a paradox that raises questions. Achieving Common Prosperity Xi criticized Western capitalism for widening wealth gaps and emphasized that Chinese-style modernization prioritizes development for the people. However, achieving common prosperity remains an uphill battle. Balancing Material and Spiritual Progress Xi argued that Western countries have faltered due to greedy capitalism and stressed the need for China to harmonize material and spiritual development, projecting a sense of superiority over Western failures. Harmony Between Humans and Nature While this aligns with global ecological goals, China's ongoing environmental issues undermine the credibility of such claims, making them appear more rhetorical than practical. Modernization Through Peaceful Development Xi promotes peaceful development, yet the rise in military spending and escalating international tensions sharply contrast with this message. The East Rises, The West Declines Xi frequently referenced the notion of the East rising and the West declining, even extending it to order in China, chaos in the West. He claimed that Chinese-style modernization offers new hope and choices for developing nations. However, this narrative appears more aimed at boosting internal confidence, with its global influence remaining uncertain. Xi described Chinese-style modernization as a new form of human civilization and proposed a Chinese solution for global governance challenges, reflecting his ambition to challenge Western ideological dominance. The Spirit of Struggle In a key section of the article, Xi declared that advancing Chinese-style modernization requires great struggle. He asserted that struggle is the political gene of the CCP and argued that security is achieved through struggle. This philosophy draws directly from Mao Zedong and remains central to the CCP's governing logic. Xi identified two main targets for struggle—external forces, particularly the United States, and internal dissent from disobedient senior officials. The emphasis on struggle underscores its role as a core governance tool. Crisis Management and Risk Control Xi also warned of butterfly effects and risk transmission, signaling his awareness of how small-scale social issues could escalate into larger crises. He stressed the importance of resolving minor problems promptly to prevent them from spiraling into major conflicts. This cautious tone reveals the CCP's fragile confidence in maintaining stability and highlights the risk of small-scale tensions snowballing into widespread political upheaval. Strategic Blueprint for 2025 According to Wang Dan's analysis, Xi's strategy for 2025 focuses on three main objectives. Consolidating Chinese-style modernization with the Party at its core. Intensifying external confrontations, particularly with the US, while purging internal dissent. Using the spirit of struggle to maintain stability and address potential social unrest. Xi's speech reflects a combative mindset and ambitious goals. However, China's economic challenges and social tensions may prove to be the CCP's greatest hurdles, casting uncertainty over the country's future. We value your input. Feel free to drop a comment below and share your views on today's subject. If you found this video helpful, why not share it with a friend? Your support encourages us to keep providing insightful content. 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