China Issues Revised Emergency Plan amid Economic Concerns

In late February 2025,just ahead of the crucial “Two Sessions” meetings (National Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference),the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) unveiled a newly revised “National Emergency Plan for Emergency Incidents.” This move, emphasizing social stability, public opinion control, and centralized command, comes as China grapples with a slowing economy and rising social tensions.

Focus on Stability Maintenance

The “Overall Emergency Plan,” as reported by Xinhua News Agency on February 25, replaces the 2005 version, aiming too guide responses to nationwide emergencies. the plan prioritizes “upholding and strengthening the Party’s overall leadership” alongside national security and social stability.

The plan defines emergencies as “natural disasters, accidents, public health incidents and social security incidents that occur suddenly, cause or may cause serious social harm, and require emergency response measures to deal with.” Social security incidents encompass criminal, terrorist, mass, ethnic, religious, financial, and foreign-related events impacting market and social stability.

Tightening Social Control

According to current affairs commentator Wang Jian, the timing of the plan’s release is significant due to growing economic and social problems. Wang Jian believes this year’s “Two Sessions” will face stricter controls as of the “economic situation deteriorates rapidly and the social problems brought about are becoming more and more serious.”

The CCP established the Central Social Work Department in 2023 to bolster stability maintenance. Wang Jian notes that the emergency response plan, coupled with this department and existing monitoring systems, creates “a very strict social control network” to monitor the Chinese population.

notably, the plan omits any mention of emergencies at the national level, such as war.

emergency Response & Public Opinion

the emergency plan highlights establishing warning systems,standardized information reporting,improved response systems,and strengthened public opinion guidance.

Wang Jian points to the Wuhan epidemic as an example where a delayed response, allegedly due to political considerations, exacerbated the crisis: “Let’s talk about it after the New Year.”

The plan mandates a command mechanism that combines central and local leadership with professional team command.

Underlying Tensions and Motives

Wang Jian suggests that the plan’s sudden announcement aims to create a tense atmosphere, enabling the implementation of policies that infringe on citizens’ rights. It also reflects a power struggle between central and local governments facing financial pressures, according to Wang Jian, implying the central government wants to “make the atmosphere a little more intense and put some pressure on local bureaucrats.”

Recurring Emergency Plans

The CCP has a history of issuing emergency plans. The “Emergency Response Law” was revised in June 2024, building upon the 2007 edition. Earlier, in 2003, the CCP issued the “Emergency Regulations on Public Health Emergency” following international criticism for concealing the SARS epidemic.

Other plans include the “Regulations on Emergency Plans for Emergency Incidents” (revised January 2024) and various local plans like Beijing’s revised “Beijing Emergency Plan” (2021).

Numerous emergency plans, such as food and power outage plans, were released around 2020 after the COVID-19 outbreak.

Fears of Social Unrest

Self-media figure Li Muyang believes the emphasis on social stability in this upgraded plan suggests the CCP “has foreseeed major emergencies.”

Li muyang argues that accumulated problems are now surfacing, including recession, unemployment, real estate collapse, and local government debt. He believes the CCP fears that arduous living conditions will lead to widespread dissent. “So the CCP issued this upgraded plan, which is a response plan for a large-scale or even nationwide public protest in China,” Li Muyang states.

Australian scholar Li Jun commented with an analogy. “The spring river is warm and the duck prophet. This is a rainy day! The CCP does not know what kind of actions lao Chuan (US President Trump) will do to them next, but now it is indeed a bit like a frightened rabbit.”

Escalating Stability Measures

As the “Two Sessions” approach, cities like Beijing and Shanghai have entered heightened security modes. Petitioners report increased arrests, repatriation, and house arrest to prevent them from reaching Beijing.

Gao Yu reported,”Starting from the 21st,a group of sensitive people in Beijing have been taken up,and those who plan to ‘be traveled’ have also been greeted.”

A Systemic Crisis?

current affairs commentator Li Linyi views the emergency plan as a signal to increase stability maintenance. He argues that the plan may be ineffective due to bureaucratic issues, citing the initial COVID-19 response as an example.Another reason is self-protection behavior in the crisis of an authoritarian regime. Li Linyi saeid that this document was released before the “Two Sessions” of the Communist Party of China, which “is obviously a signal to improve the national stability maintenance level.”

Social Unrest Indicators

Amid economic hardship, there has been a rise in indiscriminate attacks, leading to national inspections of unemployed individuals. Online discussions about gun-making and acquiring weapon components are being monitored.

Comments on TikTok included: “People are telling you the power of guns,” and “Water can carry a boat and can also overturn it.”

From Social to Political Crisis

Australian scholar Yuan Hongbing argues that the mainland social crisis is transforming into a political crisis. Yuan Hongbing revealed that “starting from 2024, the mainland social crisis is transforming into a political crisis.”

Senior commentator Yan Chungou views the rise of civil unrest as a sign of societal collapse. He argues that when resistance shifts from economic to political factors, the CCP’s disintegration is near.

Conclusion

The revised “National Emergency Plan for Emergency Incidents” reflects the CCP’s concerns about social stability amid economic challenges and potential unrest. The plan’s emphasis on centralized control and public opinion management highlights the government’s efforts to maintain its grip on power. as China navigates these turbulent times, the effectiveness of these measures and their impact on citizens’ lives remain to be seen. Stay informed and share this article to spread awareness.