Foreign Forces Promoting 'Lying Flat' to Undermine China's Economy: MSS

Beijing – China's top anti-espionage agency has sounded an alarm, accusing foreign adversaries of waging a subtle war on the nation's future by promoting a culture of apathy among its youth. The Ministry of State Security (MSS) asserts that external forces are leveraging social media platforms to propagate the "lying flat" philosophy, a concept encouraging young people to reject intense work culture and ambition, thereby aiming to sabotage China's economic progress and societal cohesion.

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Foreign forces are using social media to spread the notion that Chinese young people should be “lying flat” and not working hard as they seek to undermine China’s development, the country’s top anti-espionage agency warned.

The MSS detailed in a recent WeChat post how these anti-China elements are actively amplifying social anxieties. They allegedly disseminate "negative notions" suggesting that hard work yields no rewards and that perseverance is futile. This narrative, the ministry contends, is deliberately crafted to erode the spirit of diligence among China's youth and fundamentally undermine the core values that underpin societal stability and development. The agency pointed to foreign organizations allegedly funding anti-China media and think tanks to manufacture this detrimental narrative.

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In recent years, anti-China forces have been trying to magnify social anxiety by continuously “promoting negative notions” that effort is futile and hard work makes no gain, the Ministry of State Security said in a WeChat post on Tuesday.

Adding a layer of accusation, the MSS highlighted the hypocrisy of these foreign actors. While they allegedly promote "lying flat is justice" and "anti-overwork is equivalent to anti-exploitation" narratives through influencers and media, their own home countries are reportedly busy implementing policies to boost their economies and attract global talent. This stark contrast, according to the MSS, reveals the malicious intent behind the foreign influence campaign – to weaken China while strengthening themselves.

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The intention was to “erode the spirit of perseverance among China’s youth and even undermine the foundational values of our society”.

From Beijing's perspective, this is not merely about cultural trends but a direct assault on national development strategy. The government views the "lying flat" movement, amplified by foreign entities, as a direct threat to the nation's economic dynamism and its long-term goals. The MSS's warning underscores the government's vigilance against perceived external interference and its commitment to safeguarding the nation's ideological and economic front. This narrative positions China as a victim of sophisticated psychological warfare, emphasizing the need for national vigilance and a reaffirmation of traditional values of hard work and dedication to the nation's progress.

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Meanwhile, their home countries, which were not specified, had been busy introducing bills to revitalise their economies and attract global talent.