How a Once-Fervent Young Chinese Nationalist Broke Free From the CCP’s Propaganda Machine

Contact Your Elected Officials

July 1, the anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party, carries deep personal significance for the former ‘little pink.’

While July 1 marked the anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), it also coincided with a lesser-known date among Chinese dissidents abroad—Global Quitting the CCP Day—a movement to encourage Chinese citizens and CCP members to formally cut ties with the regime.

For 21-year-old Jiang Zihan, who once fiercely defended the regime online, the date carries deep personal significance. Now living in the United States, the former “little pink,” a term used to describe young pro-CCP nationalists who staunchly support the CCP online, says he once believed in the Party’s propaganda but has since had a radical change of heart.

A Childhood Shaped by Propaganda

Jiang grew up in Zhejiang, one of China’s economic powerhouses. As a teenager, he was swept up by the CCP’s nationalist fervor, fueled by state-run propaganda media.

“When I was in middle and high school, I’d get angry if anyone criticized China,” he recalled in an interview with The Epoch Times. “I thought everyone around me lived well, so why were people complaining?”

Like many of his peers, Jiang participated in online “expeditions,” or “chuzheng” in Chinese, a slang term for pro-CCP nationalistic trolling campaigns.

“During the 2022 Winter Olympics and when [former U.S. House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, I joined the online attack campaigns,” he said. “I left insulting comments on her posts, demanding she stay out of Taiwan. I was a ‘little pink’ at that time. I felt that she threatened China’s politics [and] China’s national security.”

Jiang admitted he also directed abuse at athletes from countries including Japan and South Korea. “State media portrayed them as unsportsmanlike or implied that they were somewhat involved in cheating. That made me furious,” he said, now feeling that he was manipulated by the CCP’s propaganda that perpetuated those views.

Breaking Through CCP Censorship

Although Jiang had been using VPN software to bypass the CCP’s internet censorship since middle school, he initially used it just to access pop culture content. However, everything changed when he stumbled upon information about two censored events in China’s history: the Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989 and the White Paper protests in 2022, when Chinese citizens rallied against harsh COVID lockdowns.

By Michael Zhuang

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Epstein’s Niece Exposes the Illuminati!

There is a shocking interview by the podcaster Shaun Attwood, an English former ecstasy trafficker turned YouTube podcaster, speaker, activist, and author.

When Gynocrats Attack: Innocent Locker Room Talk Interrupted By Rabid Karen

The question posed: “Who do you think has a...

Obama’s Treason is a Betrayal of American Democracy and Demands Real Accountability

Few scandals have cast a longer shadow than the 2016 Russia investigation—the manufactured crisis by President Obama designed to cripple Trump's presidency.

Chronic Grievous Insufficiency

A president's physical vigor, stamina, and mental acuity are essential to his ability to fulfill the duties of office and those qualities should matter with no regard to party affiliation.

Russiagate – Obama’s Coup Against Trump?

I had little confidence in wrongs committed by D.C. official elites being rectified, but Gabbard’s disclosures provides impetus for reassessment.

ChatGPT Goes Biblical about End Times!

There are some truly outstanding internet content creators, or...

US Witnessing ‘CapEx Comeback’ as Investment Wave Hits Economy: Treasury

The U.S. economy is experiencing a “CapEx Comeback” this year as private-sector investment soars, the Treasury Department said.

What to Know About New ‘Visa Integrity Fee’

New refundable “Visa Integrity Fee” for foreign nationals applying for nonimmigrant visas to enter the United States.

Oregon High School Athletes File First Amendment Lawsuit Over Podium Protest

AFPI filed lawsuit for Oregon high school athletes, alleging OSAA violated their First Amendment rights by punishing their peaceful protest of boy competing in girls’ event.

Odds of U.S.-EU Trade Deal Are 50–50 Ahead of Tariff Deadline: Trump

President Donald Trump said there’s a 50–50 chance that the United States will finalize a trade deal with the European Union before an Aug. 1 deadline.

Trump Pulls Habba’s Nomination for New Jersey’s Top Prosecutor, Making Her Acting US Attorney

President Trump withdrew his nomination of Alina Habba to serve as NJ’s top federal prosecutor, making her Acting US Attorney.

Trump Says He Wants Musk’s Companies to ‘Thrive Like Never Before’

On Thursday, President Trump said, “I want Elon, and all businesses within our Country, to THRIVE, in fact, THRIVE like never before!”

DOJ Forms Strike Force to Assess DNI Findings on Russia Collusion Allegations

DOJ is forming task force following the declassification of docs that shed light on origins of false claims that Trump won 2016 election with Russia’s help.
spot_img

Related Articles