Terrifying Scene Returns: Epidemic Sweeps China; Malaysia and India Report Impacts

Shaanxi residents outraged. School death case escalates as violent clashes erupt. Tibet's Dingri County hit by sudden 6.8-magnitude earthquake, nine confirmed dead. Many ways to offset wages, Shandang Hospital uses health check cards to replace salaries. Terrifying scene from five years ago sweeps across China again, severe cases develop in just two to three days. Australian scholar, she plans to slaughter the fat pigs this year. U.S. security official warns, Beijing uses three sets of strategies to respond to Trump's variables. Welcome to Decoding China, your go-to source for vital news and deep insights. Shaanxi residents outraged. School death case escalates as violent clashes erupt. The death of a 17-year-old student at the Puching County Vocational Education Center in Shaanxi has sparked mass protests, with demonstrators demanding justice and answers. Clashes between citizens and police have escalated. The incident began on January 2, when Deng Chengxin, a senior student, was found dead on the school grounds under suspicious circumstances. By January 4, angry residents gathered outside the school, and by January 5, reports circulated online that thousands had surrounded the campus. The arrest and alleged beating of Deng's uncle by police further fueled public outrage, leading to violent confrontations. On January 6, protests intensified with the rallying cry stop bullying, demand the truth. Tens of thousands of people reportedly surrounded the school. Protesters climbed onto school buildings, throwing spirit money to mourn the victim. A young man stood atop the school gate playing the suona, a traditional Chinese instrument often used in funerals. Flowers and spirit money were laid inside the campus in a show of grief and solidarity. Protesters accused the school of hiding evidence. When students stormed the monitoring room, they found the surveillance equipment fully operational, contradicting the school's earlier claim that the cameras were broken. The demonstrations soon turned chaotic. Protesters tore down the school's walls, broke through police barricades, and flooded the campus. Hundreds of police officers were surrounded by thousands of enraged citizens. The vice principal was reportedly beaten unconscious and taken to the ICU, while the school's principal suffered facial injuries before seeking refuge in an ambulance, which protesters then attempted to overturn. Students from the school joined the protests, confronting police inside and outside the campus. Some students knocked down a door and hurled objects at officers, while others demanded justice for Deng Changshin. The situation became increasingly volatile, with isolated protesters and students suffering injuries in clashes with police. Public anger surged as more people from neighboring regions joined the protests to support the victims' family. The local expressway was placed under traffic restrictions to contain the growing unrest. Despite heavy police presence, demonstrators continued to push back. Outnumbered officers were forced to retreat several times, with some protesters throwing objects at them. One officer was seen lying on the ground, allegedly feigning unconsciousness to avoid being attacked. The incident has drawn broader attention, with some protesters using the platform to highlight past unresolved cases, including a man holding up a portrait of his daughter, who died under suspicious circumstances at another local school in 2009. By the early hours of January 7, protesters remained near the school, and the surrounding streets were filled with police vehicles and officers. On January 6, Deng Changshin's mother released a video thanking the public for their support and confirming that authorities were now involved. She urged people not to believe rumors or gather at the school, asking for peace for her child and the students. However, the video was later deleted, sparking speculation of government pressure. Online, rumors swirled of a possible settlement between the family and authorities, with some claiming the family accepted compensation of 2 million yuan, nearly $273,000. Many dismissed the rumors, calling them deliberate attempts to discredit the protests. The social media account Yesterday, known for tracking mass incidents in China, called this the largest protest since January 2023. Tibet's Dingri County hit by sudden 6.8-magnitude earthquake, 9 confirmed dead. A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Dingri County, Shigat City, Tibet at around 9 a.m. on January 7, with a depth of 10 kilometers. The quake caused widespread building collapses, and nine fatalities have been confirmed so far, according to Chinese state media. CCTV reported that the tremor was strongly felt in Dingri County and surrounding areas. Significant damage was reported in three townships, Changshua, Tsilhua, and Tswekwa, with numerous buildings reduced to rubble. Videos circulating online reveal scenes of devastation, including collapsed structures, scattered debris, and chaotic streets. Given the Chinese government's history of downplaying disaster figures, the actual death toll may be higher than officially reported. As of 10 a.m., several aftershocks have been recorded, with the strongest measuring 4.4 in magnitude. Data from the China Earthquake Network's center indicates that the epicenter is situated at an average altitude of 4,259 meters, affecting approximately 12,000 residents within a 50-kilometer radius. One local resident described the quake as extremely intense, with strong shaking that knocked items off tables, forcing people to run into the streets for safety. Power outages have been reported across the county. Dingri County's Emergency Management Bureau confirmed that many buildings collapsed and some residents are trapped under the debris. Authorities are working to restore power and provide emergency assistance. Many ways to offset wages, Shandong Hospital uses health check cards to replace salaries. The economic situation in mainland China continues to worsen, leaving many companies unable to pay their employees. To cope, some businesses have adopted unconventional methods to distribute wages. On January 6, an employee of the Shandong Provincial Hospital Group, Ludum Hospital took to social media to criticize the hospital's leadership for inaction. The post revealed that the hospital used medical examination cards to replace wages, forcing employees to sell the cards themselves. The post read, If it were shopping cards or something valuable, we might tolerate it. But what's the point of giving us medical exam cards? Media reports confirmed that Ludum Hospital issued dozens of these cards to offset salaries, with some departments receiving as many as 40 to 70 cards. A hospital staff member explained, Our medical examination business underperformed this year, so the entire hospital is helping promote it. We've all been turned into salespeople. One alleged hospital worker revealed additional hardships. Our housing fund has been suspended for two years, and health insurance hasn't been paid for over three months. Another added, If we don't accept these medical exam cards, we won't get paid for other months either. Only by taking the cards for a specific month will we receive wages for June or July. Even couples working here begged the management not to compensate both of them with these cards, but their pleas were ignored. Incidents like this are becoming increasingly common as China's economy continues to slow. Some real estate companies have paid employees or contractors with houses, while others have resorted to using cigarettes or alcohol as compensation. On January 4, the Changdezhongshuiyue Holding Group in Jilin reportedly issued vouchers as wages, only redeemable at their affiliated mall. The vouchers resembled Chinese currency, prompting online criticism of the company for privately printing money. In another case on December 7, 2024, a company in Zhengzhou, Hunan paid its employees with shopping cards but imposed strict limits on where, when, and how much could be spent, sparking further outrage. A netizen summed up the sentiment, they've completely lost control. Terrifying scene from 5 years ago sweeps across China again, severe cases develop in just 2-3 days. China continues to face a surge of multiple epidemics, with some patients deteriorating into severe conditions within just 2-3 days. Neighboring countries such as Malaysia and India have also reported impacts. Human metonymovirus has been spreading for some time. On January 5, China's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a sharp increase in flu cases, with 99% attributed to influenza A. Meanwhile, pathogens such as mycoplasma, chlamydia, norovirus, mycoplasma pneumoniae, and covid-19 are believed to be circulating concurrently. Experts have warned that individuals could contract multiple respiratory infections simultaneously. Hospitals across the country are overwhelmed by the influx of patients. In Wuhan, a netizen posted a video showing their late-night hospital visit, where their registration number exceeded 1,000, reflecting widespread illness. Another video featured a woman describing the dire situation in pediatric wards. She stated that all beds in outpatient, emergency, and inpatient observation units were fully occupied. Emergency departments are reportedly treating 1,500 to 2,000 children daily, many of whom are battling co-infections of norovirus, adenovirus, mycoplasma, and Epstein-Barr virus. Few children have a single infection. Many are diagnosed with pneumonia within 2-3 days of showing symptoms, with the condition often progressing to severe pneumonia within another 3-4 days of treatment. In Hebei, a 32-year-old woman experiencing chest tightness and high fever developed respiratory failure within 4 days. One netizen shared that their child, infected with mycoplasma and boca virus, remained severely breathless after 5 days in the hospital, requiring steroids to reduce the fever. Renowned Douyu streamer Rao Jing revealed in a post that his child tragically passed away 2 days after developing a fever. He wrote, From the moment you were born, I wished for your happiness and that you could pursue your dreams. I never imagined a simple fever would take your life in just 2 days. On January 4, Wang Qingdong, a pediatric surgeon at Shanghai Xinhua Hospital, shared a video detailing how 5 children under his care required emergency resuscitation due to influenza. Some were placed on ventilators, others developed severe encephalitis, and some could not be saved. He urged parents to ensure their children wear masks to reduce the risk of infection. A TikTok user in Shanghai lamented, This wave has taken away so many children. One Weibo user commented, This wave is worse than in 2022, but the symptoms are different. There are fewer cases of respiratory distress requiring intubation. Instead, children suddenly die from a sudden drop in heart rate. They don't experience chills with high fever but rather intense body heat. In traditional Chinese medicine, this suggests severe depletion of body fluids, which may be linked to the aftermath of COVID-19. Pulmonologist Hu Xiong reported that elderly patients aged 50 to 70 in grassroots hospitals were testing positive for influenza, with lung conditions deteriorating rapidly. Within 3 to 5 days, many developed white lung symptoms, a progression as severe as COVID-19. On January 5, the UK's Harold Sun and The Independent issued warnings that the outbreak of human metenumovirus and other illnesses in China is reminiscent of the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Beijing has downplayed the situation, calling it a routine winter occurrence. Australian scholar, Xi plans to slaughter the fat pigs this year. At the start of the new year, the Chinese Communist Party has launched another wave of its so-called anti-corruption campaign. In detail, on Monday, January 6, CCP leader Xi Jinping addressed a nationwide teleconference of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. He declared that anti-corruption is the most thorough form of self-revolution and called for a decisive, long-term battle to root out corruption. Speaking to The Vision Times, legal scholar Yuan Hongbing, based in Australia, explained that reliable sources within the CCP have confirmed Xi's directive to intensify anti-corruption efforts by 2025. The campaign will specifically target retired officials and those holding second-tier roles. According to Yuan, this initiative aims to confiscate the wealth accumulated by these officials. He believes that even if the crackdown expands significantly, it will not instill fear in currently active officials. Yuan noted that in Beijing's political circles, a saying has emerged, Xi Jinping views not only ordinary citizens and private business owners as easy targets for exploitation but also retired and second-tier officials, likening them to fat pigs now ready for slaughter. He described this approach as Xi's political economy seizing assets through so-called 20-year retrospective anti-corruption investigations to fund the regime's operational needs. This strategy, however, is creating unrest within the CCP system. Officials are increasingly anxious, and dissatisfaction is growing. Yuan revealed that confiscated wealth is being allocated for three primary purposes, strengthening internal security measures, funding secret military projects, and raising civil servant salaries to solidify the regime's foundation. The CCP's 80 million members form the core of Xi's power base. Over the past year, economic decline and near-bankruptcy of local governments have resulted in widespread wage cuts and delays for civil servants, leading to frustration and disillusionment among officials. In response, Yuan predicts Xi will raise their salaries to stabilize the regime even as the economy continues to weaken. This, however, is likely to deepen the social divide in China. Yuan also pointed out another financial tactic, issuing long-term national bonds and printing more money, effectively passing today's debts onto future generations. These bonds, with terms of 30-50 years, will leave future Chinese citizens paying for the CCP's current policies. He described this as a deeply unethical move. Previously, Yuan revealed that since mid-2024, detention centers and prisons across China have been expanded or newly built. The CCP is preparing for a major storm in 2025, with these facilities specifically intended for arrested officials. In addition to targeting retired officials for asset confiscation, Yuan disclosed that Beijing's 2025 purge will focus on the military to address political disloyalty among officers. Another key aspect will be a large-scale crackdown on party officials and executives in state-owned enterprises and institutions. US security official warns, Beijing uses three sets of strategies to respond to Trump's variables. Former senior director for Asia at the White House National Security Council and Georgetown University professor Evan Medeiros recently warned in the Financial Times that the Chinese Communist Party has clearly adopted three strategies to deal with the uncertainties and contradictions in US President-elect Donald Trump's China policies—retaliation, adaptation, and diversification. These strategies, he said, are already being implemented. According to Medeiros, Beijing has learned from Trump's first term and is now more cautious in its responses. The CCP believes it understands Trump's tactics and sees opportunities to manipulate his administration. From Beijing's perspective, 2025 is vastly different from 2017, not only for China but for the US and the world. The CCP feels emboldened by Xi Jinping's consolidated political power and China's perceived economic resilience. Beijing also sees the US as by economic fragility, political division, and declining influence in Asia and the global south. Meanwhile, support for China's vision of global leadership is on the rise. The first prong of Beijing's strategy is tit-for-tat retaliation. Over recent years, China has introduced export controls, investment restrictions, and regulatory measures targeting American firms. These actions aim to impose maximum costs on the US while showcasing Beijing's strength. At the end of 2024, China escalated this approach by halting exports of critical minerals essential for chip manufacturing, disrupting the US drone supply chain, threatening to blacklist a major American apparel company, and launching an antitrust investigation into NVIDIA. These measures serve as bargaining chips for future negotiations, underscoring Beijing's willingness to retaliate. Financial analyst Gu Chuanxiu, however, argued that these tactics are largely symbolic. Key resources like gallium and rare earths can be sourced from other countries. He views Beijing's moves as propaganda to reassure its domestic audience that it won't compromise with the US. But, he added, sanctions against US companies, particularly military contractors, are futile as they have minimal ties with China. Instead, such actions may accelerate the exodus of American businesses from China. The second pillar of Beijing's strategy focuses on domestic economic resilience. Since late 2023, Beijing has rolled out aggressive fiscal and monetary policies. On January 5, the People's Bank of China announced a moderately loose monetary policy for 2025 aiming to stimulate domestic demand and drive growth. Plans include lowering the reserve requirement ratio, RRR, and cutting interest rates to maintain liquidity and financial stability. Reports from the paper suggest that these measures may take effect before the Chinese New Year to address liquidity needs. However, Gu Chuanxiu remained skeptical, arguing that weak consumer spending and declining corporate profits undermine their effectiveness. He noted that state-owned enterprises are the primary beneficiaries of these loans, producing goods like electric vehicles that rely heavily on exports, potentially exacerbating trade conflicts and triggering foreign retaliation. The third element of Beijing's strategy seeks to expand trade partnerships outside the US. This includes reducing tariffs on imports from non-US partners and developing infrastructure like Peru's Chamke Deep Water Port to bolster trade with Latin America. Latin America is a key supplier of food, energy, and minerals for China and aligns with Xi Jinping's vision of China as a leader in global economic stability and openness. However, Gu Chuanxiu remains unconvinced of this strategy's long-term efficacy. He pointed out that Latin America, despite short-term alignment with China, ultimately leans toward the US due to its cultural and economic aspirations. While Beijing may secure temporary advantages, Gu predicts these countries will prioritize their long-term relationships with the US. Maduro's observed that Beijing is open to negotiations to avoid further tariffs but remains wary of Trump's potential focus on deeper economic decoupling, support for Taiwan, and efforts to undermine the CCP's regime. Gu Chuanxiu stated, the CCP is testing Trump, trying to gauge his bottom line, but they haven't uncovered it yet. Trump extended an invitation to Xi Jinping, but Xi doesn't dare to face him directly. The CCP is deeply afraid of Trump's hidden agenda. Tariffs are merely one of Trump's tools, his true target is the CCP regime itself. Many of his cabinet members are staunch anti-CCP hawks. Among them, Huang Zhihan, now serving as deputy national security advisor, has put forth a theory even more aggressive than Miles used, the so-called endgame theory from chess. It posits that the US and the CCP are now locked in a fight to the death. If that's the case, Trump's approach to the CCP mirrors Reagan's stance toward the Soviet Union, he aims to break its will to survive. This is what terrifies the CCP, as they have no substantial cards to play against the US. Whether it's rare earths, dumping US bonds, or rallying impoverished allies in Africa and Latin America, all of it is futile and ineffective. The CCP's current strategy is just for show, look how powerful I am. They're trying to pressure the US into halting its actions and coming to the negotiating table. Trump, however, is a master negotiator. But will he negotiate with the CCP? That's hard to say. He knows the CCP is a deceiver, and you can't deal with a deceiver the same way you did in the past. The CCP's stalling tactics to draw Trump back to the table are no longer effective. In my opinion, Trump is ultimately heading toward a decisive showdown with the CCP. 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. Be sure to like and subscribe for more intriguing insights from Decoding China. 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