China’s cyber fascism

Having state power means controlling the government, military, police, schools, and other institutions. It also means controlling mass technology—as China’s capitalist bosses are now demonstrating as they implement full-blown fascism. From artificial intelligence to various phone apps pushing ruling-class ideas, the Chinese bosses are both attacking and mobilizing workers to serve the bosses’ interests while crushing dissent within their own ranks.
Internet is valuable tool to control workers
One goal of fascism is to win workers to fight and die for the bosses’ profits. To do this, the capitalists know they must control workers’ ideas. The newest and most popular app in China is called “Study the Great Nation.” It builds President Xi Jinping’s cult of personality by forcing students and workers to keep track of current events and to study the Jinping’s thoughts. Some employers force workers to take screen shots of their scores each day (NYT, 4/7). Millions are compelled to take part in this daily ritual.
China is also building a social credit system that will not only track your financial status but also calculate your “honesty” and “patriotism.” Workers’ scores will determine if they can get on an airplane, use a high-speed train, or be allowed to purchase “luxury items” (South China Morning Post, 3/26).
Over the last decade, China’s bosses have been working toward greater control over the internet and tech firms, including censorship of social media platforms. In 2009, when workers were rebelling in Xinjiang province, the Chinese government completely shut down the internet for months. In a recent incident, a live streamer was arrested for “disrespecting” the famous red scarf worn by the Communist Party’s youth league by catching fish while wearing one (CNN, 4/9).
 Since the 1970s, after crushing the Cultural Revolution, the Chinese bosses have promoted individualism on the path toward capitalism. Now, however, they must fight against individualism to mobilize the population for fascism. Beyond using government officials to monitor the internet, these capitalists have set up “censorship factories” where low-wage workers enforce the bosses’ “Great Firewall” policies (NYT, 1/2). Many Chinese tech firms that assist in day-to-day surveillance of daily life also depend on government support in major research in quantum computing and human-computer interaction. This New York Times article shows the difference between the U.S. bosses’ and China’s bosses’ power:“Making themselves useful to the government is often the price that Chinese firms must pay for regulatory and financial blessings — even for the very right to exist as a business” (NYT 5/2/18).
Crushing dissent
Over the past 10 years, the Chinese ruling class has consolidated power and ensured that any disagreements stay within the leadership. Lou Jiwei, who led the social security fund in China, was abruptly removed after criticizing the “Made in China 2025” campaign (Nikkei Asian Review, 4/5), a slow-moving initiative to make China more competitive with other major powers in pharmaceuticals, automobile manufacturing, and robotics. China’s capitalists’ ability to maintain order within their class gives them more maneuverability to control the working class. China is already demonstrating this drive toward fascism in western Xinjiang province, where the Uighurs, a minority population, continue to be held in “re-education” camps (see CHALLENGE, 10/10/18). The bosses have installed surveillance cameras, monitored online discussions, and sent thousands of undercover cops to spy and live with families to prevent any rebellion. More recently, China’s bosses have deployed facial recognition software to racially profile the Uighurs and track their movements. This “automated racism” (NYT, 4/14) has also been extended to other parts of China.
While their political control of technology may make China’s rulers appear strong, it in fact reflects their weakness. These fake “communists” have exposed themselves to many workers as the exploiters they are. Communist students who expose the Chinese bosses for their anti-working class attacks have been detained by the government (Reuters 12/27/18).  
U.S. struggles to catch up
China’s main rival, the U.S. bosses, are still struggling to develop this type of full-blown, fascist control. The effort to rein in U.S. companies and put “national allegiance” over short-term profits has a long way to go. Microsoft has been helping the Chinese bosses build their military by working with a military-backed university in China to improve artificial intelligence and high-tech surveillance. “Many of these advanced technologies are dual-use, so they could also contribute to the PLA’s (People’s Liberation Army’s) modernization and informatization drive, helping the Chinese military move closer to the 2049 goal of being a world-class military” (Japan Today, 4/12).
Google is under attack for pulling out of a contract to work with the U.S. military while continuing to partner with China in developing artificial intelligence research. General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned that Google’s activity “creates a challenge for us in maintaining a competitive advantage” (politico.com, 3/21).
China is a lesson for all workers
What China is doing is what all bosses want. In the U.S. and other “democratic” imperialist nations, capitalists are fighting with one another in attempts to win workers’ loyalty and consolidate their power. But make no mistake: All bosses are our enemies. War continues to slaughter and displace millions around the world. Real wages keep getting cut. Police violence continues to kill workers around the world. China’s move toward fascism is the rule, not the exception.
The Progressive Labor Party looks to unite the international working class to fight this fascist onslaught. Our goal is to create a communist society where we can use these technological advances to benefit humanity rather than keep us controlled by the bosses. Join us!