Introduction

China's emphasis on innovation as a strategic support for national development is evident in the country's leadership's bet on self-reliance and science and technology. However, there are perceived challenges in China's pursuit of technological independence, with the West viewing a technologically advanced China as a significant strategic challenge of the 21st century. While these concerns are often discussed, the internal challenges faced by Beijing in its quest for tech supremacy are often overlooked.

One of the internal challenges is the "Lying Flat" movement, which has gained significance in recent times. This movement encourages young workers and professionals, including the middle class, to disengage from the competitive pursuit of workplace success and reject the promise of consumer fulfillment. For some, lying flat represents an escape from the pressure of life and work in a fast-paced society and technology sector characterized by relentless competition.

However, for China's leadership, the Lying Flat movement is viewed as a concerning trend and a challenge to their ambition. This movement challenges the prevailing spirit of continuous struggle and ambition promoted by the government. It gained momentum through a viral spread of posts and discussions in April, leading to a coordinated series of responses from the state-controlled media.

The pursuit of technological independence in China also faces challenges within the workforce. The intense overtime culture known as "996" has been endorsed by figures like Jack Ma, reflecting a highly competitive internal atmosphere where success is demanded. This demanding work environment has led to a backlash, including the Lying Flat movement, as employees seek rest and recuperation. However, company leaders have largely dismissed concerns about the 996 culture, further fueling the movement.

The Ly Flat Movement in China

The Lie-flat movement in China has gained significant attention in recent times as a response to the intense pressure of life and work in a fast-paced society. Originating from a viral post in April, the movement encourages young workers and professionals, including the middle class, to disengage from the competitive pursuit of workplace success and reject the promise of consumer fulfillment.

For many individuals, Lie Flat represents an escape from the societal and cultural pressures of constant striving for success. It offers a way to step back and prioritize rest, recuperation, and personal well-being over the relentless competition and demanding work environment that exists in China's technology sector. By embracing Lie Flat, individuals seek independence and contentment by rejecting the outdated mindset of the previous generation.

However, the Lie Flat movement poses challenges to China's leadership and its ambition for continuous struggle and development. The government views this passive resistance as a concerning trend that challenges its vision for the country's future. They believe that the spirit of struggle and ambition is integral to the country's development, and the movement goes against these ideals.

In response to the Lie Flat movement, state-controlled media launched a coordinated series of responses, emphasizing the importance of youth creativity and the need to instill in them the will to struggle. They dismissed the act of choosing to lie flat as unjust and shameful, asserting that it holds no value and goes against the development goals of the country.

Despite attempts to suppress the movement, the Chinese government will undoubtedly face the social consequences of fierce competition and the desire for a more balanced and humane working environment. The Lie-Flat movement highlights the limitations of a campaign-style approach to generating economic dynamism and technological innovation. It shows that societal constraints and the desires of the Chinese people play a significant role in shaping the country's future.

While the Lie Flat movement may be seen as a desperate response to the dehumanizing nature of both personal and national struggles, it also reflects a growing desire for fair treatment, respect, and improved working conditions. Chinese workers, particularly white-collar workers, are rejecting the intense overtime culture and expressing a preference for more balanced environments.

Overall, the Lie Flat movement in China challenges the prevailing culture of competition and ambition, and it calls for a reevaluation of societal values and priorities. It signifies a shift in mindset among the younger generation that prioritizes personal well-being and contentment over the relentless pursuit of success. As the movement continues to gain momentum, it remains to be seen how China's leadership will address the challenges it poses.

Response from the Chinese Government

The Lying Flat movement in China has not gone unnoticed by the Chinese government. As this movement gained momentum with the viral spread of posts and discussions in April, the state-controlled media launched a coordinated series of responses.

First, Chinese state media emphasized the importance of youth creativity and the need to instill in them the will to struggle. They argued that addressing individuals adopting the Lying flat attitude is crucial for the country's development. They dismissed the act of choosing to lie flat as unjust and shameful, asserting that it holds no value and goes against the development goals of the country.

These responses were not limited to media statements. Efforts were made to suppress discussions and remove related content. The search feature for the term "lie flat" was disabled on the popular social media platform WeChat, and a discussion group on the Douban social networking site titled "lie flat" was closed down. Additionally, t-shirts featuring the phrase "Lying flat" were removed from online retailers.

These actions by the Chinese government reflect their concern and dismissal of the Lying Flat movement. They view this passive resistance as a concerning trend that challenges their vision for the country's future. The government believes that the spirit of struggle and ambition is integral to the country's development, and the movement goes against these ideals.

However, despite the government's efforts, the Lying Flat movement continues to gain momentum. Chinese workers, particularly white-collar workers, are rejecting the intense overtime culture and expressing a preference for more balanced working environments. This movement signifies a shift in mindset among the younger generation that prioritizes personal well-being and contentment over the relentless pursuit of success.

The Chinese government will undoubtedly face the social consequences of fierce competition and the desire for a more balanced and humane working environment. The Lying Flat movement highlights the limitations of a campaign-style approach to generating economic dynamism and technological innovation. It shows that societal constraints and the desires of the Chinese people play a significant role in shaping the country's future.

As the Lying Flat movement continues to challenge the prevailing culture of competition and ambition in China, it calls for a reevaluation of societal values and priorities. The government will need to address the concerns of the younger generation and find ways to inspire and motivate them without disregarding their need for rest, recuperation, and fair treatment.

The Connection to Overwork Culture

The prevalence of overwork culture in China's tech sector is a significant factor that has contributed to the emergence of the Lie Flat movement. The intense overtime culture, known as "996," has been endorsed by figures like Jack Ma, reflecting a highly competitive internal atmosphere where success is demanded. This demanding work environment has led to a backlash, including the Lying Flat movement, as employees seek rest and recuperation.

The 996 work culture refers to working from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., six days a week. Employees in the tech sector are expected to put in long hours and sacrifice personal time to meet the demands of their jobs. This culture of overwork can have detrimental effects on employee well-being, leading to burnout, stress, and a lack of work-life balance.

The Lie-Flat movement can be seen as a direct response to the pressures and demands of the 996 work culture. By choosing to "lie flat," individuals are rejecting the idea that success and a good life require excessive amounts of time and effort. They are prioritizing their own well-being and seeking a more balanced and humane working environment.

Leadership in China's tech sector has justified the intense work culture by aligning it with the official party narrative that promotes unwavering dedication to China's global ascent. Company leaders argue that success and innovation require more effort and time than others are willing to invest. They view the 996 work culture as a significant advantage for driving economic dynamism and technological innovation.

However, the dismissal of concerns about the 996 work culture by company leaders has fueled the Lie Flat movement. Employees, particularly white-collar workers, are expressing a preference for more balanced work environments and fair treatment. They reject the idea that their value is solely based on their capacity for long hours of work.

The connection between the Lie Flat movement and the overwork culture in China's tech sector highlights the need for a reevaluation of societal values and priorities. It calls into question the prevailing culture of competition and ambition, which prioritizes work over personal well-being. As the movement gains momentum, it remains to be seen how China's leadership will address the challenges it poses and whether there will be a shift towards a more balanced and humane working environment in the future.

Previous Rebellions and Constraints

China has a history of worker rebellions that have challenged the prevailing culture of competition and ambition. These rebellions often arise as a response to the intense pressure of life and work in a fast-paced society.

One notable example is the 996 ICU campaign, which started in 2019 and highlighted the harsh working conditions in China's tech industry. The campaign aimed to promote more accessible work hours and drew attention to cases of programmers seeking emergency medical attention due to health crises related to their jobs. However, the campaign had a limited impact on changing the prevailing culture within the tech industry, as company leaders LargeLie dismissed the concerns.

The Lying Flat movement, which gained momentum in April, can be seen as a continuation of these previous rebellions. It encourages young workers and professionals to disengage from the competitive pursuit of workplace success and reject the promise of consumer fulfillment. By embracing the concept of lying flat, individuals seek independence and contentment by prioritizing rest, recuperation, and personal well-being over the relentless competition.

While the Lying Flat movement has gained attention and sparked discussions, its impact on China's pursuit of technological independence and economic dynamism remains limited. The movement challenges the prevailing spirit of continuous struggle and ambition promoted by the government, but state-controlled media responses have largely dismissed it as unjust and shameful.

The younger generation's preference for a more balanced and humane working environment reflects societal constraints on China's ability to generate economic dynamism and innovation. The desire for fair treatment, respect, and improved working conditions among Chinese workers, particularly white-collar workers, calls for a reevaluation of societal values and priorities.

However, in a political climate where the party and the state exert unparalleled influence, advocating for personal needs and desires can be challenging. The Lying Flat movement can be seen as a desperate response to the dehumanizing nature of both personal and national struggles, as individuals prioritize their own well-being over the grand ambitions of the nation.

Overall, the previous rebellions and societal constraints in China highlight the limitations of a campaign-style approach to generating economic dynamism and technological innovation. The desires and perspectives of the Chinese people, particularly the younger generation, play a significant role in shaping the country's future. As China's leadership faces the social consequences of fierce competition and the desire for a more balanced working environment, substantive efforts will be needed to inspire and motivate the younger generation without disregarding their need for rest, recuperation, and fair treatment.

Societal Shifts and Lessons

The rise of the Lying Flat movement in China is indicative of several societal shifts and offers important lessons for both the Chinese government and the country as a whole.

Changing societal norms around consumption and economic aspiration

In the past decade, China has seen a significant shift in societal norms around consumption. Chinese citizens have become some of the world's most conspicuous consumers, embracing a culture of conspicuous consumption. This shift challenges the traditional Chinese cultural norms of high saving and credit-based consumption, which were once considered incompatible with the country's national circumstances. The Lying Flat movement can be seen as a response to these changing norms, as individuals reject the promise of consumer fulfillment and prioritize personal well-being over material success.

Lessons from the Lie Flat phenomenon on societal constraints

The Lying Flat movement highlights the societal constraints that limit the ability of a party-state to generate economic dynamism and technological innovation through campaign-style approaches. The Chinese government's attempts to suppress the movement and dismiss its concerns reflect the limitations of a top-down approach to societal change. The movement shows that the desires and dignity of the Chinese people, even if not openly expressed, play a significant role in shaping policy and the country's future.

The role of Chinese people's desires and dignity in shaping policy

While the Chinese government may prioritize the national narrative of continuous struggle and development, the Lying Flat movement emphasizes the desires and dignity of the Chinese people. The movement calls for fair treatment, respect, and improved working conditions, particularly for white-collar workers. It challenges the intense overtime culture and rejects the idea that success is solely determined by one's ability to work long hours. These desires and preferences of the Chinese people should be taken into account when shaping policy and promoting economic dynamism.

The evolving attitude of white-collar workers in China

A recent survey by a prominent career platform in China revealed that over 80% of white-collar workers identified fair treatment and respect from companies as the most crucial factors in shaping company cultures. There is an evolving attitude among white-collar workers in China, with a preference for more balanced and humane working environments. The Lying Flat movement reflects this evolving attitude and highlights the need for companies and the government to address concerns about work-life balance and create a more supportive and balanced working environment.

In conclusion, the Lying Flat movement in China signifies significant societal shifts and offers important lessons for both the Chinese government and the country as a whole. The movement challenges changing norms around consumption and economic aspiration, highlights the limitations of top-down approaches to societal change, emphasizes the desires and dignity of the Chinese people, particularly white-collar workers, and reflects an evolving attitude towards work-life balance. As China's leadership addresses the challenges posed by the Lying Flat movement, it is crucial to consider these societal shifts and lessons to shape a more balanced and prosperous future for the country.

Conclusion

The rise of China's Lying Flat movement has brought to light several important issues and challenges that the country faces. The disconnect between national rejuvenation rhetoric and personal aspirations is evident, as many young workers prioritize their own well-being over the pursuit of success and ambition. This movement reflects a growing desire for fair treatment, respect, and improved working conditions among Chinese workers, particularly white-collar workers in the technology sector.

The intense overtime culture and demanding work environment, known as "996," have contributed to the emergence of the Lying Flat movement. Employees are rejecting the notion that their worth is solely determined by their ability to work long hours, and they are expressing a preference for more balanced and humane working environments. This movement challenges the prevailing culture of competition and ambition in China, and it calls for a reevaluation of societal values and priorities.

The response from the Chinese government has been dismissive of the Lying Flat movement, viewing it as a concerning trend that challenges their vision for the country's future. However, the movement continues to gain momentum, and the government will undoubtedly face the social consequences of fierce competition and the desire for a more balanced working environment.

The Lying Flat movement also highlights the limitations of a campaign-style approach to generating economic dynamism and technological innovation. It emphasizes the desires and perspectives of the Chinese people, particularly the younger generation, in shaping the country's future. The government will need to address these concerns and find ways to inspire and motivate the younger generation without disregarding their need for rest, recuperation, and fair treatment.

Overall, the Lying Flat movement in China signifies significant societal shifts and offers important lessons for both the Chinese government and the country as a whole. It challenges changing norms around consumption and economic aspiration, highlights the limitations of top-down approaches to societal change, emphasizes the desires and dignity of the Chinese people, particularly white-collar workers, and reflects an evolving attitude towards work-life balance. As China's leadership addresses the challenges posed by the Lying Flat movement, it is crucial to consider these societal shifts and lessons to shape a more balanced and prosperous future for the country.