1299: Laowhy86 | Decoding the Secret Slang of China's Censored Internet - The Jordan Harbinger Show Recap

Podcast: The Jordan Harbinger Show

Published: 2026-03-17

Guests: Matthew Tai, Winston Sturzl

What Happened

China's rising crime rate is a growing concern, with incidents involving cars being used to attack pedestrians becoming alarmingly common. This troubling trend reflects broader societal issues, as the country grapples with increasing social unrest. Simultaneously, the Chinese government is stepping up its surveillance and control over its citizens' digital activities, as evidenced by the extensive censorship on the internet and the use of AI for monitoring.

China's internet is heavily censored, forcing users to employ euphemisms and code words to circumvent restrictions. Popular phrases like 'river crabbed' and 'grass mud horse' are employed to dodge censorship when discussing sensitive topics. This linguistic creativity is a response to the government's sophisticated AI tools that predict and censor potentially subversive language.

WeChat, China's all-in-one app, plays a significant role in government surveillance, as it combines messaging, payments, and social media, allowing for comprehensive monitoring of users' activities. Coupled with the blocking of 70-80% of foreign websites and apps, Chinese citizens are increasingly dependent on government-controlled platforms, limiting their freedom of expression and access to global information.

The social credit system in China is another tool for control, where individuals with unpaid debts can be barred from services like booking flights or trains. This system reflects the broader restrictions on personal freedoms, highlighted by China's low ranking of 9 out of 100 on the Freedom House Index.

Protests in China, such as those triggered by school bullying, often escalate into broader anti-government demonstrations. In response, the Chinese government intensifies its censorship efforts, leading citizens to adopt creative methods like 'deep frying' videos to disseminate protest information. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, citizens used code words like 'glowing' to discreetly communicate symptoms, avoiding detection by authorities.

The 'white paper protest' symbolizes dissent against censorship, where blank sheets of paper became a powerful protest tool. In reaction, the government banned the sale of A4 paper, a move that underscores the lengths to which authorities will go to suppress dissent. Historical parallels can be drawn with similar protest tactics in the Soviet Union and Belarus.

The economic situation in China is deteriorating, with unreliable official data and eyewitness reports painting a bleak picture. The once-stable social contract, where citizens exchanged rights for economic prosperity, is fraying. This economic decline is further exacerbated by issues like factory fires linked to unpaid wages and the rise of 'ghost cities' due to the property crisis.

Chinese slang has evolved to include terms like 'fanchiang' to describe using VPNs, which are illegal and can lead to arrest. The government's narrative control extends beyond its borders, influencing global perception through campaigns involving Western influencers who promote Chinese propaganda. This international reach highlights the Chinese government's commitment to controlling both domestic and international narratives.

Key Insights