Major Harms Caused by Communist Rule in China

Major Harms Caused by Communist Rule in China 

Jan 16 2026
 

 China has caused major harms including the deaths of tens of millions from famines (like the Great Leap Forward) and political purges (like the Cultural Revolution), widespread human rights abuses such as arbitrary detention, forced labor, and severe censorship, suppression of dissent, persecution of ethnic and religious minorities (e.g., Uyghurs, Tibetans, Falun Gong), and forced population control measures like the one-child policy, all while imposing totalitarian control over citizens' lives, speech, and thoughts. 

Major Harms & Events:

• The Great Leap Forward (1958-1962): An attempt at rapid industrialization and collectivization that led to the deadliest famine in history, killing tens of millions due to mismanagement, forced labor, and distorted reporting.
• The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976): A decade of intense political violence, social upheaval, persecution, and destruction of cultural heritage, resulting in millions of deaths and widespread trauma.
• Tiananmen Square Massacre (1989): The violent suppression of pro-democracy student protests, resulting in significant loss of life and enduring repression of political freedoms.
• Human Rights Abuses: Pervasive censorship, surveillance, arbitrary arrests, torture, and lack of due process, particularly targeting activists, journalists, and minorities.
• Persecution of Minorities: Systematic repression and cultural eradication efforts against Uyghurs in Xinjiang (often termed genocide), Tibetans, and other groups, alongside persecution of religious practitioners like Falun Gong.
• Forced Labor: Extensive use of forced labor, including in political re-education camps and prison systems, often linked to ethnic minorities.
• Forced Population Control: Implementation of policies like the one-child policy, causing forced sterilizations, abortions, and demographic imbalances. 

These harms stem from the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) ideology, which prioritizes state power and control over individual rights, leading to extensive social engineering, political repression, and economic policies with devastating human costs. 

Domestic and International Impacts

• Economic Harm and Corruption: While China has experienced significant economic growth due to market reforms since the Mao era, the current system is marked by significant wealth disparity, rampant corruption among officials, and the use of economic influence to suppress dissent domestically and coerce foreign entities.
• Environmental Degradation: China has faced severe environmental issues, including being the world's largest annual emitter of greenhouse gases and a top builder of coal plants worldwide, exporting its disregard for global environmental standards through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• Undermining Global Norms: The CCP uses its economic leverage and position in international organizations to pressure other countries, engage in intellectual property theft, and promote its authoritarian ideology globally, which critics argue weakens the international rules-based order. 
  
  Chinese involvement and huge influencein the WEF and global outcomes 
  
  China

   is a long-standing and highly engaged participant in the World Economic Forum (WEF), actively involved in its annual meetings in Davos and a host of its own "Summer Davos" event. 
  Key Aspects of China's Engagement
  • Active Participation in Annual Meetings: High-level Chinese delegations, including heads of state and vice premiers, frequently attend the WEF annual meetings in Davos, Switzerland, to present China's economic outlook, discuss global challenges, and engage with international leaders.
  • Hosting the "Summer Davos": Since 2007, China has annually hosted the "Annual Meeting of the New Champions," known as the "Summer Davos," which alternates between the cities of Dalian and Tianjin. This event focuses on global growth companies and emerging economies.
  • Advocacy for Multilateralism and Globalization: Chinese leaders have used the WEF platform to advocate for an open world economy and defend globalization, particularly when faced with rising protectionist sentiments from other nations.
  • Focus on Innovation and Technology: China showcases its advancements in technology, AI, robotics, and the green energy transition during WEF events. The forum helps Chinese companies access global partners and integrate into the international market.
  • Collaboration on Initiatives: The WEF collaborates with China on various projects, such as the "Circular Electronics in China" project to reduce e-waste and discussions on AI governance and sustainable development.
  • Long-Standing Relationship: The relationship between the WEF and China dates back to 1979, growing alongside China's emergence as a global economic powerhouse. 
    
    
  Through its robust control, China uses the WEF to influence global economic conversations, attract foreign investment, and project an image of a responsible and open nation in the international arena.
  
  

  World Economic Forum
  Signs  Strategic Collaboration
  Agreement with China

  · The World Economic Forum and China’s National Development and Reform Commission have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop closer collaboration

  · Agreement follows 10 years of close partnership, including China hosting the Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions

  · Signing ceremony witnessed by President Xi Jinping and Forum Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab in Davos

  · For more information on the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2017, taking place this week, see http://wef.ch/davos17

  17 January 2017, Davos-Klosters, Switzerland – The World Economic Forum today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on behalf of the Chinese government. The document commits both parties to developing deeper collaboration over a period of 10 years.

  The World Economic Forum and the NDRC have established a strong relationship over the past decade, cooperating closely since 2007 on the Annual Meeting of the New Champions in China, also known as the “Summer Davos”. During this time, the meeting has become the world’s leading event on science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.

  China sent its first delegation to Davos in 1979. Today, building on the longstanding relationship between the Forum and China, this MoU opens a new chapter of deepened partnership across a wide range of strategic priorities. These include improving global economic governance, international cooperation on “Belt and Road” initiatives and green and low-carbon development, as well as technological innovation and preparing for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

  In the MoU, the two sides agree to establish a new collaboration platform, continue to expand the scope of collaboration and increasingly enhance the content of collaboration. Building on the Annual Meeting of the New Champions as the core of that cooperation, the two parties will strengthen ongoing communication and consultation on a range of topics and activities that are critical for China and global sustainable development in the foreseeable future.

  “The Forum gathers the world’s insights and builds platforms for public-private cooperation to tackle today’s global challenges in which China’s participation and its valuable experience in opening-up and reform are essential. A deeper cooperation between the Forum and China will be not only a win-win for both of us, but also beneficial for better understanding and collaboration of the international community at large,” said David Aikman, Chief Representative Officer, China, and Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum.

  China’s President Xi Jinping and the Forum’s Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab were witnesses at the signing ceremony, which was held on the first day of the Annual Meeting, with signatures of Xu Shaoshi, Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, and Alois Zwinggi, Head of Operations and Resources at the World Economic Forum.

  “Through China’s participation in the ‘Winter Davos’ and hosting the ‘Summer Davos’, the world gets a fuller picture of the country in terms of its development and achievements in economy, opening-up reform, science, technology and innovation. It also enables Chinese companies to gain access to advanced management ideas, find global partners and better integrate into the international market. We look forward to deeper cooperation with the Forum in the coming decade and to working together with the international community to find solutions to the major challenges facing the world today,” said Xu Shaoshi, Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission.

  The 47th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting is taking place on 17-20 January in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, under the theme Responsive and Responsible Leadership. More than 3,000 participants from nearly 100 countries will participate in over 400 sessions. Xi Jinping spoke at the Opening Plenary today with a special address. He is China’s first head of state to participate in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting accompanied by a high-level delegation.

  The 11th Annual Meeting of the New Champions will be held in Dalian, People’s Republic of China, on 27-29 June 2017.

  

  
  

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