Beijing Is Collapsing in Plain Sight — Even Scavenging for Food Is Impossible

Beijing's Unprecedented Emptiness

• 💡 The city of Beijing feels empty and lacks its usual New Year atmosphere, with shops closing earlier than ever before for Lunar New Year.
• ✈️ Beijing Capital International Airport, once bustling, now has barely any people, reflecting a broader decline in activity.
• 📉 The number of young people in Beijing has significantly dropped from 7 million in 2015 to fewer than 1 million, with many friends and landlords leaving the city.

Economic Decline and Business Impact

• 📊 China's economy is rapidly retreating, and Beijing, as a first-tier city, is experiencing a major decline despite official claims of recovery.
• 🏢 Many small companies are closing down, and roadside shops are shutting their doors one after another, indicating a severe employment environment.
• ⚠️ Foreign companies have withdrawn, leading to falling office occupancy, drastically reduced rents, and landlords struggling to fill vacancies in commercial properties.

Rising Unemployment and Hardship

• 📈 The unemployment rate is rising, and many residents face increasing pressure, struggling just to survive, with some unable to afford food.
• 💼 Finding suitable jobs is difficult, and salaries are being cut or pushed lower, forcing people to accept unfavorable terms.
• 🗑️ Homelessness is visible near railway stations, and the ability to scavenge for leftovers has disappeared due to reduced consumption and fewer people.

Social Strain and Security Measures

• 👮 Beijing is described as an exhausting city due to constant identity checks everywhere, even when taking a taxi.
• 🚨 Security measures are extremely strict, particularly at Tiananmen Square, with inspections more rigorous than at an airport.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 There are instances of women with children wandering near railway stations, living in dire circumstances and seemingly uncared for.

Widespread Urban Decay

• 🛍️ Areas like Sanlitun North Street show half-empty underground shopping malls and numerous closed shops, with notices for unpaid rent visible.
• 🌆 The vitality of Beijing is lost across various districts, with closed malls, failing cinemas, and deserted streets.
• 📚 Cafes and libraries are now filled with anxious, unemployed middle-aged people, highlighting the widespread economic and social stress.