Writer Wang Qingmin speaks out for Chinese workers’ rights at Labor Day rally

May 1st, 10:30–14:50, I (Chinese writer Wang Qingmin) participated in the May Day International Labor Day parade in Berlin, Germany, displaying posters and distributing flyers. The promotional content included:

Over the past century, the Chinese working class has participated in democratic revolutions and anti-fascist wars, contributed immense labor and creativity, and made great contributions to the world. However, they have suffered various forms of exploitation, oppression, and injustice. Although the CCP claims China is a “socialist country led by the working class,” in reality it is barbaric capitalism that has betrayed the workers and the Chinese people.

——

Throughout the event, I participated almost the entire time, including setting up a stand to display posters, distributing flyers, and standing alongside the marching procession to display posters, repeatedly running to the front of the parade to show them.

At least several thousand people saw my posters, many took photos and asked questions, and I responded briefly, hoping more people will pay attention to labor rights, human rights, and livelihoods in China, and help the Chinese people achieve freedom, liberation, and democratic equality.

Apart from a brief rest sitting on the ground (less than 10 minutes), drinking a bit of water, I was continuously active for over 4 hours.

——

Content of the image-and-text posters I displayed during the May 1st Labor Day march:

Leaders of China’s labor movement and representatives of suffering workers;

Chinese workers’ participation and sacrifices in resistance against British imperialism and Japanese fascism;

The hypocrisy of China’s constitution, the huge wealth gap, and the “worker aristocracy” in state-owned enterprises;

The “996” work schedule, migrant workers in sweatshops, agricultural laborers (farmers), and occupational disease sufferers such as those with pneumoconiosis;

“Made in China” products across all global industries;

Chinese female workers and laborers “holding up half the sky”;

Workers’ participation in the 1989 democratic movement and other pro-democracy struggles;

Waves of worker strikes and protests under CCP rule;

The 2018 Shenzhen Jasic labor movement, crane operator strikes in Tianshui, Gansu, etc.…

And many more, which could not all fit on the posters.

I distributed around 200 posters in total, in various types, hoping the world will see the contributions, suffering, and current conditions of the Chinese working class, and promote freedom, liberation, and equality.

——

Eight representatives of Chinese workers:

Early Chinese labor movement leaders and martyrs Xia Minghan and Deng Zhongxia;

Female labor leaders and leftist revolutionaries He Xiangning and Liu Qunxian;

Liu Lianren, a Chinese laborer forcibly taken by Japan and later defended his rights;

Hong Kong labor movement leader Leung Kwok-hung;

1989 generation labor leader Han Dongfang;

Jasic labor movement leader Mi Jiuping.

They are only representatives of Chinese workers. Although they were outstanding individuals, their foundation lies in the hundreds of millions of ordinary workers.

——

The May Fourth Movement of 1919, which sought democracy and science for national salvation and enlightenment, did not only involve intellectuals and students—workers widely participated as well, fighting for sovereignty externally and civil rights internally;

The 1925–1926 Canton–Hong Kong Strike opposed British imperialism, the number one imperialist power, and fought for the dignity and rights of oppressed peoples;

In the 1910s–1930s, waves of labor movements rose in China, struggling for labor rights and human rights. Although exploited by the CCP, their glory remains;

During the War of Resistance Against Japan, workers were the main force in production and construction, with some even joining the army and fighting, shedding both sweat and blood.

——

China’s constitution states that “China is a socialist country under the leadership of the working class and based on the alliance of workers and peasants,” and commemorative sites such as the Erqi Memorial Tower honor early CCP-led labor movements. The tower in Zhengzhou is decorated with lights to commemorate the Beijing–Hankou railway strike.

But in reality, the CCP is a regime of elite capitalism, cruelly oppressing workers and peasants, more vicious than capitalist countries, with a greater wealth gap and deeper social injustice. In terms of power, wealth, social status, and welfare, the disparities between classes are immense. Most Chinese workers work extremely hard and are overloaded, yet their gains do not match their contributions.

As for the “worker aristocracy” in sectors like oil, tobacco, and railways, they are not real workers but members or affiliates of the elite class. Of course, some in these sectors contribute and are fairly compensated, but they are rare. Most mid- and high-level managers in state-owned enterprises have far less moral character and competence than their incomes suggest.

——

China’s white-collar workers endure years of hardship, only to face “996” overwork—working from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week, plus additional overtime, losing many rights and freedoms. Compared to even harder-working migrant workers, “996” for white-collars might even seem like a “blessing.”

Since the reform and opening up, it is the labor of hundreds of millions of migrant workers that has supported China’s economy and created the “world’s factory.” But they have no protections and often suffer wage arrears. Some workers even contract occupational diseases and spend the rest of their lives in pain.

Farmers are, of course, laborers and part of the working class, only differing in specific occupations. Their dignity, rights, and contributions are equal. Yet they have long been ignored. Since 1949 alone, over a billion Chinese farmers have endured perhaps the greatest suffering and oppression of any population group worldwide, yet remain uncared for by the world. The CCP has even intentionally created divisions between workers and peasants to fragment the people, which is deeply malicious.

This is obviously wrong.

——

Women hold up half the sky. Chinese female laborers (including workers, farmers, and service workers) do many jobs that men are unwilling to do, shedding sweat and tears. They are equally exploited and oppressed and face greater difficulty in resisting. Many female workers are victims of sexual harassment and assault. These women often suffer multiple forms of abuse in families, villages, urban communities, and factories, under layers of male, paternal, marital, and clan domination.

They need to be seen, heard, and supported.

——

The whole world benefits from China’s cheap labor. “MADE IN CHINA” products are everywhere. The people and middle-upper classes in all countries, especially developed ones, have a duty to help China’s working class protect their rights and receive what they deserve.

——

Despite their great contributions and exploitation, Chinese workers have mounted many acts of resistance. For example, waves of strikes and protests across China, and even some with political character (though relatively few).

In 1989, the spotlight was on students and elites, but workers were more numerous. The “Workers’ Autonomous Federation” was an independent labor organization, separate from the CCP’s “yellow” puppet unions. The Jasic labor movement was a new peak of the modern labor struggle. But after 1989, political labor movements in China declined. Most labor protests now are for immediate interests, which do not solve the root issues. Still, even these are worthy of respect and support.

But all political and some rights-based labor struggles have been suppressed by the CCP regime and the elite capitalist class.

——

I also wrote posters in Chinese, German, and English, displayed and distributed them:

Chinese working class: the largest working population in today’s world, yet the most ignored and silenced!

From the 1910s to the 1950s, Chinese workers were active in labor movements, anti-dictatorship democratic movements, anti-imperialist and anti-colonial struggles, resistance against Japanese fascism, and in building a progressive industrial nation, shedding uncountable blood and sweat in the pursuit of socialism, democracy, and freedom!

The “People’s Republic of China (PRC),” leftist in name but rightist in nature, betrayed the Chinese people, divided workers and peasants, and established a hierarchical, slave-like system disguised in red (communist) attire. A minority of “worker aristocrats” replaced the real laboring classes, hijacked the socialist revolution, and oppressed another group of laborers—the peasant class, who made up 80% of the population at the time.

After the “Reform and Opening-Up,” rural Chinese migrated to cities to work as migrant laborers, sacrificing health and freedom in sweatshops to provide the world with cheap goods and services. They greatly contributed to China’s economic rise, improved living standards, and global prosperity. Yet their incomes remain low, and labor rights protections are scarce—rest, holidays, healthcare, housing, pensions, unemployment… all lacking.

The enormous wealth gap and class divisions in China starkly contrast the constitutional claim that “the working class leads the nation, and the workers-peasants alliance is its base.” In reality, grassroots laborers are the most exploited. Though nominally a “socialist country,” China is in truth a brutal capitalist state. The true rulers and beneficiaries are bureaucrats and the red aristocracy.

The CCP willingly serves as an agent for U.S., Japanese, European imperialists and major capitalists in China. They jointly exploit Chinese labor and the people. Chinese bureaucrats and elites, relying on the “low human rights advantage,” plunder workers’ labor, deprive them of rights, suppress worker organizing and protests, reduce costs, increase efficiency, and channel wealth to imperial powers and CCP elites.

Workers and people around the world must understand the truth about China, the contributions and suffering of Chinese workers, and help workers, peasants, other laborers, and vulnerable groups in China to fight for liberation and equality!

Workers of Germany, China, and the world, unite to build a new China and a new world without exploitation and oppression, where labor rights are fully protected, and workers are truly the masters!

——

I also displayed and distributed posters and flyers commemorating Chinese laborers who were forcibly taken and enslaved during WWII—millions of victims taken to Japan, Manchukuo, and other Japanese-occupied areas in China.

These workers were tortured and forced to serve Japan’s fascist invasion. Many died in Japan or Chinese “mass graves.” Those who survived received little to no compensation. Japan rejected most civil lawsuits, citing “state non-responsibility” and the CCP’s waiver of reparations.

The lives, dignity, rights, and freedom of millions must not be erased or forgotten.

People in China, Japan, and around the world must remember this history and honor the victims.

——

A special point must be made: the proper name of “Labor Day.” In China, May 1st is often called “International Workers’ Day” or simply “Labor Day” (劳动节), but this is a deliberate distortion by the CCP to emphasize labor devotion while ignoring labor rights. The correct translation of “Labour Day” is “Laborers’ Day” (劳工节), highlighting it as a holiday for workers/laborers to commemorate past labor struggles and martyrs, and to inspire continued resistance—not just a commercialized, ceremonial, or entertainment-focused day, nor merely a time to work like beasts of burden or enjoy a vacation.

——

Many non-white participants were present at the event, but very few Chinese. I may have seen some Chinese officials (not certain), and some Chinese tourists watching the spectacle.

May Day, which should be a day to defend workers’ rights, has been downplayed and trivialized in China. People lack awareness of labor rights and thus are more easily exploited and oppressed by elites. Whether it’s 996, sweatshops, involution, or lack of social protection—all stem from a lack of resistance.

——

The Chinese state and people need a voice, representation, and strength on the international stage. Neither the crude and propagandistic CCP external messaging—which is contrary to the people’s interests—nor the venomous attacks on China by anti-China racists can represent the true voice, emotions, or interests of the Chinese people. Even liberals, elites, and religious figures, who can sometimes speak out internationally, are limited and do not represent all Chinese people—and have grown increasingly conservative.

That’s why we need expressions and forces that genuinely represent China, align with the people’s interests, and stand for reason, progress, democracy, and science.

——

Many foreigners are willing to care about Chinese human rights, women’s rights, and labor rights, but Chinese people are generally silent, making it difficult for others to help. Chinese people should speak out and engage with others to gain support. Of course, there are many techniques: using language and forms the international community can understand, and speaking to the heart.

Although my personal activities may have limited effect, it’s because too few participate—we need more Chinese to bravely speak out and connect with international allies.

——

Of course, the event wasn’t all solemn—there was also joy in the holiday. At the parade’s endpoint near the city hall, many stalls sold beer, drinks, and food. Various advocacy booths had fun activities and giveaways. After the march, people celebrated, socialized, and drank joyfully. But we must not immerse ourselves in fun and forget the suffering of the working class and the many injustices.

Balancing rest and struggle, combining seriousness with joy, is the only long-term path for political resistance and civil rights movements.

——

Chinese liberals and opposition figures often align with right-wing forces abroad and dislike the left. This prevents them from mobilizing the huge and revolutionary masses of workers and peasants to oppose the CCP. Foreign right-wingers mostly prioritize their own national and ethnic interests—even the ones with some conscience don’t care much about Chinese human rights. Due to historical trauma like the Cultural Revolution, Chinese liberals are naturally hostile to the left. Even when they sympathize with individual cases like Xia Junfeng, they refuse to support the left on a fundamental level.

This is a key reason China’s democratic movement has failed, and why Chinese democracy remains out of reach. I’ve long urged liberals to unite with the masses and mobilize based on national and class identity, but they haven’t done so.

——

I placed at the center of my poster a widely circulated image from a CCTV propaganda documentary showing a Porsche and a laborer dragging a cart in the same frame. This best reflects the current reality of China: elites living in extravagant luxury, while the grassroots suffer and toil.

This is indeed the “underlying logic” of China’s social functioning for hundreds or even thousands of years.

But “Just because it’s always been like this, does that make it right?”

Clearly not. It is unfair and unjust. It must be changed.

Additionally, on the night of April 30th, I participated in the feminist rally “Take Back the Night” at Berlin’s Mariannenplatz. At the venue, I displayed posters on China’s women’s rights issues and distributed flyers, calling on the world to pay attention to Chinese women’s rights and human rights.

Chinese women, like workers and many other groups, are ignored. With China’s massive population, every group is globally the largest, yet has remained silent. This must change. No mainland Chinese women were seen at the rally (a Taiwanese girl participated).