g-f(2)1993 Navigating the Resurgence of Mao-Era Militias in Chinese Enterprises

 

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genioux Fact post by Fernando Machuca and Bing Chatbot (Copilot)

Introduction: 

The Financial Times article “Chinese companies revive Mao Zedong-era militias” provides an in-depth look into the resurgence of People’s Armed Forces departments (PAFDs) within Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs), a practice reminiscent of the Mao Zedong era.

genioux GK Nugget: 

"The revival of Mao Zedong-era militias in Chinese companies reflects the Chinese Communist Party’s shift in focus from ‘development’ to ‘security’, amid concerns about social and political instability in the country’s slowing economy." — Fernando Machuca and Bing Chatbot (Copilot)

genioux Foundational Fact: 

In response to increasing concerns about social and political instability amid China’s economic slowdown, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have begun setting up in-house reserve military units known as People’s Armed Forces departments (PAFDs). These units, which were common during the Mao Zedong era, typically conduct civil defense activities and contribute to military recruitment, promotion, and training.

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1. Chinese SOEs have started setting up in-house reserve military units.
2. These units are known as People’s Armed Forces departments (PAFDs).
3. PAFDs were common during the Mao Zedong era.
4. The resurgence of PAFDs is seen as a response to increasing concerns about social and political instability.
5. China’s economy is currently experiencing a slowdown.
6. PAFDs typically conduct civil defense activities.
7. PAFDs also contribute to military recruitment, promotion, and training.
8. The revival of PAFDs is not seen as preparation for military mobilization against a foreign adversary.
9. The resurgence of PAFDs is attributed to the Chinese Communist Party’s shift in focus from ‘development’ to ‘security’.
10. The activation of these PAFD units is seen as a symptom of the leadership’s concern about the domestic social stability situation.

FP, The Futile Legacy of Mao Zedong

Conclusion: 

The revival of Mao Zedong-era militias within Chinese companies is a significant development that reflects the shifting priorities of the Chinese Communist Party. Amid concerns about social and political instability in the country’s slowing economy, the resurgence of People’s Armed Forces departments (PAFDs) underscores the party’s increased focus on ‘security’ over ‘development’. This shift in focus highlights the complex interplay between economic factors and political stability in China’s current socio-political landscape.

REFERENCE

The g-f GK Article

Edward White, Chinese companies revive Mao Zedong-era militias, FT, February 19,2024.

Edward White

Edward White is an award-winning journalist and has been the China correspondent for the Financial Times since 2021¹. Prior to this, he served as the FT’s Seoul bureau chief, covering North and South Korea, and was a correspondent in Taiwan¹. His reporting focuses on a range of topics including finance, business, and technology¹.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 2/20/2024

(1) Edward White - Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/edward-white.

(2) Edward White - Harvard University. https://www-ft-com.ezp-prod1.hul.harvard.edu/edward-white.

(3) Edward H. White II | NASA, Gemini 4 & Astronaut | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edward-H-White-II.

(4) Ed White: The First American to Walk in Space | Space. https://www.space.com/ed-white.html.

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Copilot's Summary

The Financial Times article "Chinese companies revive Mao Zedong-era militias" reports that China's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have started setting up in-house reserve military units, a practice reminiscent of the Mao Zedong era¹. This development is seen as a response to increasing concerns about social and political instability amid the country's economic slowdown¹.

Dozens of Chinese SOEs have established new People’s Armed Forces departments (PAFDs) in recent months¹. Historically, these departments were groups affiliated with the People’s Liberation Army’s recruitment efforts at the county and village level under Mao¹. Today, they typically conduct civil defense activities and contribute to military recruitment, promotion, and training¹.

Experts suggest that the rise of corporate PAFD units is not a sign of preparations for military mobilization against a foreign adversary. Instead, it likely reflects adherence to President Xi Jinping’s strengthened focus on security and concerns about the risk of social instability as China’s economy grows at its slowest pace in decades¹.

The resurgence of interest in PAFDs is attributed to the Chinese Communist Party stressing 'security' over 'development', a trend that began at least in Xi’s second term, which started in 2017¹. The activation of these PAFD units is seen as a symptom of the leadership’s concern about the domestic social stability situation¹..

Source: Conversation with Bing, 2/20/2024

(1) Chinese companies revive Mao Zedong-era militias. https://westobserver.com/business/chinese-companies-revive-mao-zedong-era-militias/.

(2) The return of Mao: a new threat to China’s politics - Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/63a5a9b2-85cd-11e6-8897-2359a58ac7a5.

(3) Chinese companies revive Mao Zedong-era militias. https://www.iscaninfo.com/article/16257197/Chinese-companies-revive-Mao-Zedong-era-militias.

(4) Chinese companies revive Mao Zedong-era militias. https://www-ft-com.ezproxy.depaul.edu/content/d6b2e4d6-2f84-4ef9-bf99-10d76d92d045.

(5) Getty Images. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/quatre-ouvri%C3%A8res-chinoises-devant-une-grande-broderie-sur-news-photo/691408408.

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References

“genioux facts”: The online program on "MASTERING THE BIG PICTURE OF THE DIGITAL AGE”, g-f(2)1993, Fernando Machuca and Bing Chatbot (Copilot), February 20, 2024, Genioux.com Corporation.

 

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