A new book, “Resistance Chatter” (저항의 수다 in Korean), based on the popular 'Bu Mingbai' (不明白 - 'I Don't Understand') podcast, has cast a stark light on the intensifying surveillance and growing popular discontent within China. The book, compiling conversations from the podcast co-founded in 2022 by a Chinese New York Times columnist and other Chinese journalists, paints a picture of a society where free expression is stifled and public dissent is bubbling beneath the surface.
The title, 'Bu Mingbai,' literally meaning "I don't understand," reflects the confusion and disbelief of ordinary Chinese citizens facing a torrent of incomprehensible events and policies. Though the podcast is blocked in mainland China, it has reportedly become essential listening for many seeking uncensored discussion on current affairs.
The Stranglehold of Surveillance
The book's sources assert that the current level of social control under President Xi Jinping’s regime is even more pervasive than during the Mao era, significantly strengthening following Xi's ascent to power in 2012 and subsequent pandemic-related lockdowns. The surveillance apparatus extends far beyond official channels. One professor quoted in the book estimates that at least one percent of China's population is engaged in constant monitoring and reporting on their neighbors and peers. These agents include not only official party and administrative staff but also a vast network of citizens recruited as 'spies.'
This chilling environment means that citizens in mainland China cannot freely criticize the state's policies or the supreme leader, Xi Jinping. The widespread use of cutting-edge technology, including facial recognition, DNA collection, and big data algorithms, has transformed China into what human rights groups have called a "dystopian digital surveillance state." Furthermore, the implementation of a "grid system" for neighborhood-level surveillance ensures systematic monitoring and immediate repression of potential unrest. This system is instrumental in the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) ongoing goal of "stability maintenance," which prioritizes detecting and preventing protests and dissent.
Unrest and the Impulse for Expression
Despite the state’s rigorous control, public frustration is palpable. The book highlights the critical role of major public tragedies in amplifying this discontent. Incidents like the deadly Yangtze River cruise ship sinking, the Sichuan earthquake, and the Tianjin port explosion have repeatedly exposed the government’s priority of strict media and social media control to hide the truth and prevent criticism.
A powerful anecdote from the book recalls the memorial for the 2022 Urumqi apartment fire tragedy, where someone dared to shout the slogan, “CCP step down!” The shock and fear that rippled through the crowd underscore just how deep the self-censorship has become.
While state-run surveys often report overwhelming support for President Xi and the government, studies using anonymous methods reveal a much starker reality. When assured of anonymity, Chinese citizens' support for the party and government plummets by nearly 30 percentage points, and the fear of repression is acknowledged by an estimated 40% of the population as a major deterrent to protest. The suppressed criticism and simmering dissatisfaction voiced through 'Bu Mingbai' serve as a strong indication that "public sentiment is boiling," despite the CCP's comprehensive attempts to enforce silence.
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