By Li Muzi
Chinese social media users appear increasingly vocal. Over recent days, posts on mainland platforms have featured phrases such as “the trend has run its course” and “its mandate has ended,” along with images mocking the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Some users compared Xi Jinping to Empress Dowager Cixi, while others posted references to the “June Fourth” crackdown. Xi’s renewed call to address so-called “online chaos” drew wide ridicule.
Comparisons between Xi Jinping and Empress Dowager Cixi circulate online
On Dec. 1, the overseas account “No King No Emperor (AOXI Special Operations Unit)” wrote on X that people inside China were “awakening” and engaging in an online campaign against Xi Jinping.
According to the post, references to “Winnie the Pooh” and “Cixi” appeared widely, along with comments labeling Xi as “steamed bun” or “pig-head,” all intended as mockery.
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The post also claimed that online sentiment was spreading quickly, citing slogans such as “In the year of Bingwu (2026), the world will be auspicious,” and suggesting that “an offline revolution could erupt at any time.”
Screenshots shared with the post showed comments including:
“He’s not even as capable as the Empress Dowager,”
“At least she dared to go to war,”
“He’s worse than that old lady,”
“Dim and incompetent,”
“Proven useless,”
“They actually look alike,” and “Back then, the Empress Dowager didn’t have people disappearing.”
Mainland users post images referencing the 1989 crackdown
That same day, the account posted additional screenshots featuring “8964,” claiming that even “tanks” were appearing inside China’s heavily censored platforms.
“The pace is accelerating,” the post said. “My blood pressure went up watching this—haha! The people’s anger toward the Communist Party is rising. The CCP could collapse at any moment.”
Platforms such as Douyin recently saw a wave of images with captions including “the trend has run its course,” “basically over,” and “its mandate has ended,” suggesting that the CCP was nearing collapse and that Xi Jinping was “finished.”
Comment sections briefly filled with enthusiastic reactions before many comments appeared to be removed.
Users on X added: “It’s time to wake up. Those who don’t will fall into darkness.”
“If the regime collapses, remember that the people—not the Party—are the nation. The era of suffering is ending.”
“Public consensus has formed. The CCP is nearing its end. Everyone is waiting for the moment things shift.”
Xi Jinping orders another crackdown on ‘online chaos’
On Nov. 28, Xi Jinping personally initiated a campaign targeting what he described as “online chaos.”
Yet beginning on the 29th, mainland platforms saw posts calling to “remove Xi and eliminate the CCP,” with users directly confronting Xi and showing little fear of retaliation, despite the heightened scrutiny.
According to the state-run Global Times, Xi told officials during a collective study session that managing the online environment is “a systematic project” requiring administrative, legal, and educational tools.
“We must dare to draw our swords and strike resolutely,” Xi said, calling for the dismantling of “interest chains” behind online activity and the removal of the “soil and conditions” that allow it to grow. He urged officials to identify “weak links” in China’s cyber-governance and take targeted action.
Commentator Cai Shenkun warned on X that Xi’s comments should not be dismissed. The phrase “dare to draw the sword,” he noted, was previously used by Cai Qi during Beijing’s campaign to clear out the so-called “low-end population,” a slogan associated with confrontational enforcement.
He cautioned that even private WeChat conversations could soon face tighter restrictions.
Mainland users responded with sarcasm:
“He’s not evil—he’s just too foolish.”
“He said delivery workers enjoy the scenery. That says everything.”
“There’s plenty of chaos on X.com too—maybe clean that up as well.”
“When the balance shifts, neutrality is just taking sides.”
“Can I just be happy every day now?”
Users on X added: “This shows how much the public frightens him,” and “Cutting the internet is driven by red families inside and outside China. They fear the people.”
Another wrote: “The CCP will use any method to maintain power—deceiving, coercing, and draining the public while enjoying endless privilege. ‘Serving the people’ is only a cover for staying in power.”
