Mass surveillance and self-sufficiency: How China's leadership is reviving Mao's old principles
- Posted on September 17, 2026
- By Le Monde
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- 1 min read
In brief
Xi Jinping's government has modernized Mao's 1963 Fengqiao model, transforming it from a grassroots conflict resolution system into a sophisticated surveillance infrastructure. This evolution reflects Beijing's strategy to maintain centralized authority while maintaining the appearance of local autonomy. By leveraging digital technology and community monitoring networks, contemporary China has weaponized the historical framework to achieve unprecedented social control and information gathering capabilities across the nation.
Summary auto-generated by AI from the original publisher's content. Editorial standards.
Mass surveillance and self-sufficiency: How China's leadership is reviving Mao's old principles
'Mao's Fraught Legacy' (5/7). In 1963, Mao Zedong made the village of Fengqiao an example of how to encourage mass mobilization and resolve conflicts locally. Under Xi Jinping, the experiment has evolved into a system ensuring Beijing's absolute control.
