Part 8/9:

Capital Punishment and State Control

Finally, in a stark reminder of China’s strict enforcement of law and order, the State executed two individuals sentenced for violent crimes, resonating with the regime’s ongoing narrative of maintaining public safety amid rising crime rates. Such executions serve not only as punishment but also as a means for the government to demonstrate its unwavering grip on power and control over its populace.

The recourse to measures like capital punishment and increasing security among local authorities suggests an underlying fear within the CCP regarding its image and stability. As aspirations for security clash with the immediate need to project an image of a safe tourism destination, Xi Jinping’s administration faces a difficult balancing act.