China doesn’t want people flaunting their wealth
Especially not on the internet
MAO ZEDONG persecuted the rich. But his successor as paramount leader, Deng Xiaoping, decided to “let some people get rich first”, as he launched market-oriented reforms. Now a growing number of Chinese are rich—and the pendulum has swung back, with the government cracking down on ostentatious displays of wealth.
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This article appeared in the China section of the print edition under the headline “Leave the Hermès at home”
From the June 22nd 2024 edition
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