(Minghui.org) I am an ordinary person in China and I would like to say a few words to my fellow Chinese citizens. Most of us are modest people who have been working hard. Looking back, however, I think we have been fooled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) all along. Here is why I think so.
In the news media, especially on television, we hear about the so-called “common prosperity” all the time. But this is just a political slogan. The reality is that, those officials rake in wealth while we work hard. In fact, we ordinary citizens face numerous, huge burdens such as being unable to afford housing, medical care, our children’s education, and taking care of our elderly. Very often, the entire family leads a thrifty life for decades and still has difficulty buying a home. Even if we do buy one in the end, we can only own it for a few decades [see Note 1]. Moreover, if a family member has a severe illness, decades of savings can disappear overnight to pay the medical expenses. Isn’t it a miserable life we are leading?!
The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown is another example. For three years, every day the Party emphasized why the zero-COVID policy was so critical and much-needed. But last December, the policy was suddenly lifted without any warning or back-up plan. Not only that, the Party turned around and wanted people to get infected as soon as possible in order to gain herd immunity. News media such Xinhua News Agency, People’s Daily, and CCTV followed quickly, replacing the slogan “vowing to eliminate any case of infection” to propaganda such as “Chinese people are not intimidated by the pandemic. We know there is a danger, but we go for it...”
The sudden lifting of the lockdown has been catastrophic. The resulting economic recession led to the failing of many businesses, with workers laid off. Food delivery and express delivery jobs have become hugely sought-after, attracting many with undergraduate college educations or even Masters degrees.
Plus, the recent heathcare reform came without advanced notice, and benefits were significantly reduced. Some citizens protested but the government took no action. Along with the significantly-reduced medical insurance, the pensions of many are also pitifully low. In the countryside, some farmers like me only receive about 100 yuan (or US $15) per month. In contrast, farmers in Taiwan receive a monthly allowance of NT $7,550 (or US $248), plus insurance. Moreover, the pension crisis in mainland China means that people who retire in the future may not receive any pension payment. Together with an increasing cost of living, this is similar to boiling a frog slowly, leaving Chinese citizens no path forward in the end.
As ordinary people, we cannot compare to those high-ranking officials who own dozens of dwellings and have so much cash that just counting it would burn out several money counters.[Note 2]
Even worse, on the other hand, is their deceit and inciting hatred. In the name of patriotism, these officials have mobilized citizens to turn against Western democratic countries including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and other countries, especially when these countries criticize the massive human rights violations in China. As a result, while being forced to consume recycled waste oil and poisoned milk powder, we have to stand with the CCP and thank them for “freeing us” and providing us with a good life. But what most people don’t know is that 85% of CCP high-ranking officials have overseas passports and over 90% of their grandchildren have permanent residency overseas.
Therefore, the most important thing for us is to take care of ourselves and stay healthy and safe. In my mind, practicing Falun Gong is the best way to do so. Falun Gong is a meditation system based on five sets of exercises and the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. It is free of charge and benefits people of all ages, from all walks of life. But the CCP does not like Falun Gong and started to persecute the group in 1999.
China has a history of thousands of years, with highly developed traditional values and culture. But the CCP’s core values of brutality and lies contradict traditional culture, including the teachings of Falun Gong. Because of their belief in being good citizens by following the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, a large number of Falun Gong practitioners have been arrested, detained, imprisoned, and tortured in the CCP's effort to force them to renounce their belief.
Since ancient times, people have believed in the harmony of heaven, earth, and mankind. By harming innocent people and destroying traditional culture, the CCP is doomed. Anyone associated with the regime is also in danger. That is why Falun Gong practitioners have been telling people the facts and asking them to remain safe by believing and reciting “Falun Dafa is good” and “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good.”
By embracing our conscience and rejecting the CCP, we will be blessed with a better future. The truth speaks for itself, but we have to make a good choice before it is too late.
Note 1: According to “Interim Regulations of the People’s Republic of China concerning the Assignment and Transfer of the Use Right of the State-owned Land in Cities and Towns” passed in 1990, although one can buy and own housing, the land still belongs to the government and the owner can enjoy up to “70 years for residential purposes.”
Note 2: When Wei Pengyuan, a former deputy director of the coal department at the National Energy Administration, was investigated in 2014, police found about 200 million yuan in cash in his home. Sixteen money counters were used to count it and four of them burned out.