China’s state security ministry alleges foreign powers are encouraging the “lying flat” movement among youth to weaken national development.
Rebellion Against ‘996’ Work Culture
The “tang ping” (lying flat) trend, rejecting exhaustive work and competition in favor of minimalism, has gained traction among millions of young Chinese as a protest against the demanding “996” work culture—working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week—which leads to widespread burnout.
The scale of the problem is exacerbated by rising unemployment, recently reaching 16.9% for those aged 16-24.
Western Influence and ‘Sowing Defeatism’
China’s Ministry of State Security accused Western entities of deliberate sabotage in a statement released Tuesday on WeChat and in a promotional video. The ministry stated, “They only want our youth to ‘lie flat,’ depriving us of development, strategic opportunities, and the future of our nation.”
Security services claim Western governments and organizations fund anti-China media and influencers to spread defeatism and convince young people that “struggle is exploitation.”
Structural Economic Problems
According to the Financial Times, the reaction from security services highlights growing concern in Beijing over an increasing number of disaffected citizens. The newspaper notes that, facing a difficult economic transformation, “malicious forces from abroad” have become a convenient scapegoat for authorities.
An expert quoted by the newspaper points out that blaming the state or the Communist Party of China for the economic slowdown and lack of reward for hard work is currently “politically impossible.”
Xi Jinping’s Previous Warnings
The South China Morning Post recalled that Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned against “lying flat” as early as 2021. The newspaper commented that the issue isn’t new but has gained a new “espionage” narrative, serving to divert attention from a lack of prospects and structural barriers in the domestic labor market.
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