Chinese school posts "Taiwan Independence" photo; Wuhan crackdown on VPN circumvention

 Direct Translations

Rebellion! Photo of Chinese school displaying "independence" slogan go viral online

—Chinese school posts "Taiwan Independence" photo

Reporter : Wang Duruo / Editor : Fang Xun / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0513/2383242.html / Image : A prestigious school in Guangdong posted a university ranking list, and a student apparently changed "Taiwan" to "Taiwan Independence" (highlighted in red). (Image from X: Teacher Li is not your teacher)

                               

Recently, a prestigious school in Dongguan, Guangdong, known for its high college entrance examination pass rates, has sparked heated discussion online after a photo of a university ranking list posted on campus went viral.

In the evening of 10 May 2026, Li Ying, a Chinese writer residing in Italy, shared the photo on the social media platform "Li Laoshi Bu Shi Ni Laoshi" (Li Teacher is Not Your Teacher). The photo showed that the international department of Guangzheng Experimental Middle School in Chashan Town, Dongguan, Guangdong Province, had recently posted a university ranking list. However, it was discovered that the word "Taiwan" on the list had been crossed out with a large "X," and the word "Independence" had been handwritten behind it, turning it into "Taiwan Independence."

The photo quickly went viral online, with many netizens exclaiming, "They've rebelled!", "The school will probably be completely reformed now!", and "Even students aren't falling for the Communist Party's brainwashing propaganda anymore."

Some netizens joked, "When will Taiwan reunify with the mainland?", "Are the international department students going this far?", and "Even the locals in Dongguan are stunned."

Others commented, "This is just stating a fact," and "It should say Republic of China, Taiwan."

The incident is particularly sensitive because it occurred on a campus where the CCP places great emphasis on ideological control, and it took place at a prestigious school in Guangdong.

This phenomenon reflects a growing rebellious attitude among some young people under the CCP's long-term high-pressure political propaganda. This is especially true for international students who are exposed to overseas information, making the gap between their views and the official narrative increasingly apparent.

Wuhan: The First Shot of China's Second Cultural Revolution?

—"A Second Cultural Revolution": Several universities in Wuhan investigate students using VPNs

Editor : Fang Xun / Source : RFA / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0513/2383194.html

Several universities in Wuhan have recently investigated students' use of VPNs, requiring them to explain their purpose and providing cybersecurity and ideological education to some students. Scholars interviewed stated that Chinese universities are gradually shifting the focus of "VPN use" from internet management to ideology and national security.

On Tuesday (12 May 2026), several screenshots of internal notices from Wuhan universities circulated on overseas social media. The notices showed that some university counselors were collecting data on students' VPN use, inquiring about their reasons for using VPNs, and requiring students to sign written guarantees. One notice stated that prolonged browsing of overseas websites could pose a "risk of ideological erosion," easily leading to "misleading influence from erroneous values," and even "becoming a middleman for harmful information," thus "posing a threat to national security."

Another screenshot showed that classes were investigating "VPN usage," including the purpose, frequency, and whether students browsed overseas social media.

Scholars: University Management Methods resemble a "Second Cultural Revolution"

In response, Xue Ming, a media professional from Hubei, told this station that he believes the social atmosphere in China in recent years is increasingly resembling the Cultural Revolution period, only the form has changed.

He said, "I call this current state a 'second Cultural Revolution,' which has lasted for about seven or eight years, starting around 2018. Back then, there wasn't such an emphasis on censorship, reporting, or catching spies. Now, many things revolve around so-called 'security.'"

Xue Ming believes that the authorities' continuous strengthening of ideological and social control is related to the regime's need to maintain stability.

He said, "This regime needs to maintain itself through lies, so it needs to be closed off. Now China is increasingly like a local area network; a lot of information is blocked, and everything must give way to so-called security—actually, the security of the authoritarian regime itself."

Students say the school's police station has intervened in investigating students using VPNs

A student surnamed Li from Wuhan Zhongnan University of Economics and Law told reporters that in recent weeks, students' counselors have started investigating VPN usage in class groups. He said, "The school knew before that everyone used VPNs, but basically didn't care much; VPN use was the responsibility of the police. This time, it's the school's police station."

Image : Several universities in Wuhan have recently investigated students' VPN usage, requiring them to explain their purpose for using VPNs, and providing cybersecurity and ideological education to some students. (X platform account "Teacher Li is not your teacher")

Li, a student, also said that some students were asked to explain their purpose for using VPNs, and some were even required to sign a guarantee "not to use related software again": "Many people use VPNs mainly to look up information, read papers, and use AI tools. Now, students are worried about being punished. Many say they won't use VPNs, but they still do it secretly."

Jia Lingmin, a former middle school teacher in Zhengzhou, said in an interview that previously, students using VPNs was the responsibility of the Public Security Bureau, but now school management is directly involved, elevating the issue to a national security and political level. She said, "Previously, it was the Public Security Bureau that intervened; it was never the school that intervened as an institution. This means it's not just universities in Wuhan; other places will do it too. This is just the beginning."

She believes that the authorities' move is primarily to prevent students from seeing the truth. "First, they don't want students to see the truth about China from abroad; second, the content of domestic news broadcasts is selective and even misleading."

Multiple regions continue to strengthen the crackdown on VPN circumvention

According to local public security reports and public information, recently some netizens have been warned or fined by public security organs for using VPNs to browse overseas websites such as X and TikTok.

On 11 March 2026, two separate incidents of individuals being punished for using VPNs to bypass internet censorship were reported in Hubei Province. In Ezhou City, a man was fined 200 yuan by the Liangzihu District Public Security Bureau for using VPN software to access TikTok and Twitter. On the same day in Xiaogan City, the Xinhua Police Station of the Xiaonan District Public Security Bureau dispatched more than ten officers to investigate and punish a netizen who used a VPN to access overseas websites, fining him 500 yuan. On March 27, police in Tianmen City, Hubei Province, reported that a woman was investigated and punished by public security authorities for downloading the "Kuailian VPN" app and accessing overseas platforms such as Telegram and Potato by modifying her IP address.

In April of this year, this station reported that companies in Jiangsu, Shaanxi, and other places received notices on special cybersecurity governance, requiring them to register their VPNs and investigate "illegal cross-border access" activities. Some regions require service providers to directly disconnect internet access upon discovering illegal cross-border connections.

Trump is here to confront CCP China

 Direct Translation

Trump is here to confront his opponents

Commentator : Wu Hongsen / Editor: Li Guangsong / Source: Facebook / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0513/2383187.html

                                   

Placing Trump's visit to China within the grand strategic context of the "energy showdown over rare earths," you will find that Trump is there to confront China.

I. The real background is not trade, but an energy war. 

Many people still cling to outdated thinking: believing the core of the U.S.-China rivalry is tariffs, chips, and trade surpluses but the U.S.-China rivalry in 2026 has entered the realm of energy control.

Because Trump has precisely identified China's true weakness: its 70% dependence on energy imports. China is the world's largest manufacturing nation, its industrial system so massive that it needs to "burn oil" daily to operate. But its energy lifeline is highly vulnerable: the Strait of Hormuz, the Strait of Malacca, and the Indian Ocean shipping routes are practically the lifelines of China's industrial civilization.

After the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq War in 2026, the Strait of Hormuz crisis will completely expose this fatal weakness. Chinese oil tankers will be shelled by the Revolutionary Guard, international oil prices will fluctuate wildly, marine insurance will skyrocket, and the risk of energy supply disruptions will increase dramatically. Trump has chosen to confront China at its most vulnerable moment.

II. Following the Iran-Iraq War, the US blockaded Iranian ports, effectively controlling the situation in the Hormuz region. Simultaneously, it deeply intervened in Venezuela's oil system, directly managing a portion of crude oil sales and revenue. Coupled with its global naval projection capabilities, the US has developed an unprecedented strategic capability: whoever secures stable energy, whoever must accept higher prices, and whoever will be restricted—the U.S. increasingly holds the power to decide. China, on the other hand, is the world's most energy-dependent manufacturing powerhouse.

The logic of the game has been completely reversed. Previously, China worried about the U.S. controlling its chip supply. Now, China must worry about the U.S. controlling its energy supply. A chip supply disruption causes industrial pain; an energy supply disruption leads to a direct depletion of national resources.

III. Trump's visit to China will clearly tell Beijing that the U.S. is no longer afraid of China's rare earth trump card.

This is because the U.S., Japan, and Australia are accelerating the reconstruction of their rare earth supply chains—expanding production in the U.S., commissioning heavy rare earth projects in Australia, and engaging in joint investment in Japan—a diversification process far exceeding China's expectations. The U.S. can withstand several years of cost increases but China may not be able to withstand the pressure of energy shortages.

The true core issues of this visit to China likely include: demanding that China immediately reduce or even stop purchasing Iranian oil;

demanding that China massively shift to purchasing U.S. crude oil and LNG (a multi-billion dollar order);

demanding that China realign itself on Middle Eastern issues and cooperate in stabilizing the situation in Hormuz;

making substantial concessions on key minerals, supply chains, and Taiwan.

Many people believe this is "negotiation." In reality, it is closer to an ultimatum. Because Trump's energy leverage is far more forceful, urgent, and irreplaceable than the tariffs used in past trade wars.

IV. China's biggest misjudgment is overestimating rare earths and underestimating energy.

In recent years, Chinese public opinion has been obsessed with the "rare earth trump card," believing that the U.S. cannot do without Chinese rare earths but the reality is harsh: rare earths can be replaced at high costs, and the West already has clear pathways; however, energy is difficult to replace in the short term, especially for an industrialized country like China. The U.S. can rebuild rare earth mines and invest in projects with allies; China cannot quickly break free from its dependence on Middle Eastern energy. Especially now, with the Chinese economy under pressure, the ongoing real estate crisis, and meagre manufacturing profits, the continued rise in energy costs will bring systemic pressure.

Trump's greatest strength lies in applying pressure by exploiting the opponent's most vulnerable points. He is a thoroughgoing transactional strategist.

V. Trump's visit is to confirm reality.

Because the entire international landscape has begun to tilt in America's favour: America's energy advantage continues to expand; the dollar and financial system remain stable; alliances like the US, Japan, Australia, and India are strengthening supply chains to mitigate risks; Western capital continues to flow out of China; and China's most critical energy weakness is increasingly exposed to the spotlight.

Trump's visit to China truly conveys only one message: the U.S. is ready to enter the next phase of the game. In the past, it was trade wars and technology wars. Now, an energy war has quietly begun. And the energy war is ten times more brutal than the former two—it directly determines whether an industrial civilization can function normally.

VI. What's truly frightening is time.

America's advantage is expanding over time: the rare earth substitution system is rapidly taking shape; energy export capacity and control continue to grow; and coordination among allies is becoming increasingly seamless. China, on the other hand, must consume massive amounts of energy every day to maintain its industrial machinery.

The longer this drags on, the greater the pressure on China will be. This is the real source of Trump's confidence during this visit to China.

Trump seriously considers making Venezuela as the 51st state of the U.S.

 Direct Translation

Instantly igniting global discussion! Trump: Seriously considering making this country the 51st state of the U.S.

Reporter : Zheng Haozhong / Editor : Zhongkang / Source : X /  https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0512/2382903.html

On 11 May 2026, in a telephone interview with Fox News anchor John Roberts, Trump formally stated, "I'm seriously considering making Venezuela the 51st state!"

Trump further pointed out that Venezuela possesses approximately $40 trillion in oil reserves, and that "the Venezuelan people love Trump! They say if I ran for president in Venezuela, my poll numbers would be higher than anyone in history, and all I would need to do is learn some Spanish!"

This bombshell news was first reported on the X platform by Fox News' chief congressional correspondent, Bill Melugin, instantly igniting global discussion. Fox News and other authoritative media outlets quickly followed up with confirmation.

Commentator Tao Miao commented on the X platform, "This news is explosive! Will Venezuela really join the United States before Canada? The Venezuelan people must be overjoyed!"

The news sparked heated discussion among netizens in the comments section.

Netizen "Qin Jin" commented: "It seems funny, but it's actually quite feasible." If Venezuela and Alberta, Canada, do indeed join the United States, Trump's contributions to the U.S. must, and inevitably will, be etched on Mount Rushmore.

Netizen "Weijian" commented: This is excellent news! If public opinion allows, the entire backyard of the U.S. can be attracted to join the healthy operation of the American system. This was President Monroe's vision.

A terrifying apocalyptic scene of collapse has surfaced in Iran

 Direct Translation

A terrifying apocalyptic scene of collapse has surfaced in Iran, circulating online

Reporter : Wang Duruo / Editor : Fang Xun / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0511/2382503.html

News circulating within Iran: Police "street shifts" after Israeli strikes turn into a farce. According to a post on the Israeli news account "Mossad Commentary" (@MOSSADil) on the X platform on 10 May 2026, a message purportedly from within Iran is widely circulating, claiming that Iranian police are unable to properly maintain their posts and barracks after the Israeli military strikes, and their operations have become absurd.

The message indicates that due to damage to numerous police stations and security facilities from Israeli airstrikes, some officers are no longer on duty inside buildings, but instead are using car trunks as makeshift armories, meeting with citizens at street intersections, and processing document stamps and signatures. In Iran, a country with nearly 90 million people, the police force is being forced into "street shift work," handling administrative affairs at traffic intersections. The post sarcastically stated, "This is precisely the country Khamenei originally envisioned as a regional power by 2025."

An accompanying photo showed Iranian special police (NOPO) in black tactical gear, armed and on guard, against the backdrop of the Iranian flag, seemingly a contrast to the current "street-like" state of affairs. Background: This news of continued U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iranian security institutions comes as the U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran, scheduled to begin in late February 2026, has been ongoing for over two months. Since early March, the U.S.-Israeli coalition has launched multiple precision strikes against Iranian police stations, intelligence bases, detention centers, and security headquarters, aiming to weaken the regime's internal stability maintenance forces.

Western media reports indicate that police stations in Tehran and other cities have been reduced to ruins, with surrounding buildings severely damaged. Iranian officials have organized media tours of the destroyed police stations in an attempt to demonstrate "resilience," but images and reports circulating among the public show clear signs of a collapse in the security system.

Israel, on the other hand, stated that the targets included the Iranian Internal Security Command and Basij militia facilities, aiming to cut off the regime's ability to suppress the people.

The authenticity of the news and the reactions are currently unverifiable, and the original source of the message cannot be independently verified. However, similar descriptions have spread rapidly on social media platforms, with some Iranian overseas accounts and pro-Israel media outlets reposting it. Some netizens commented, "92 million Iranians facing a few thousand militiamen patrolling the streets are fully capable of overthrowing the regime." Others have called for an Iranian people to seize the opportunity to revolt.

The Iranian regime is currently facing dual pressures from both inside and outside: continued external military strikes and a malfunctioning internal security system, potentially further escalating public discontent. Whether this event will be the final straw that breaks the Iranian regime remains to be seen. There has been no official statement yet on whether the U.S.-Israeli action will escalate further, but US President Trump previously stated that the operation "could last for weeks," with the goal of completely eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat and promoting regime change.

CCP China tightens exit restrictions across multiple regions

 Direct Translation

Taking the first step towards North Korea-like policies, China tightens restrictions across multiple regions

—Beijing tightens control measures again? Mid-level managers in state-owned enterprises must obtain approval to leave Beijing; netizens exclaim "North Korea-like" measures

Reporter : Wang Duruo / Editor: Fang Xun / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0512/2382797.html

Recently, a post about Beijing strengthening controls on the movement of personnel within the system has sparked heated discussion on the X platform.

On the 9th, a netizen named "Pathfinder" posted, "Beijing has now gone so far as to require even mid-level cadres of state-owned enterprises under ordinary ministries to report their departure from Beijing—not even abroad, just leaving Beijing—regardless of whether it's for official or private purposes. Is this necessary? Is it really necessary?"

The post quickly gained significant attention, with many netizens confirming that similar measures had already been implemented in many parts of the country, but now Beijing has also begun to tighten them across the board.

Some netizens pointed out that the "reporting mechanism" established during the pandemic has not ended but has been retained indefinitely.

"It's been like this since the beginning of the pandemic, and after the pandemic ended, this management method was directly continued."

Netizens from Tianjin, Guangxi, and other places also stated that local civil servants and public institution employees had long been required to report their departure from the city.

"Tianjin started this a while ago; serving civil servants are required to report when leaving the city."

"In a certain area of ​​Guangxi, grassroots public institutions have always required reporting when leaving the autonomous region, it was suspended for a while, but has now resumed."

What is even more shocking to many is that, besides civil servants, some doctors, state-owned enterprise cadres, and even ordinary public institution employees are also facing increasingly strict travel restrictions.

One netizen revealed: "Now, even top doctors in provincial capitals have to report when leaving the province."

An insider also said that passports and Hong Kong and Macau travel permits have been uniformly collected for years, making international travel virtually impossible.

"A friend within the system said that even domestic tourism is difficult now. Others don't ask for leave, so it's very awkward for you to ask for leave alone. As for international travel, forget about it; passports have long been confiscated."

Some netizens believe that this practice reflects a growing security anxiety within the CCP.

Some described it as "the first step towards North Korea-ization," while others sarcastically remarked, "The Qing Dynasty kept princes in the capital to prevent them from plotting rebellions. Now they're guarding against mid-level state-owned enterprise cadres to this extent; it shows how weak the authorities are."

Of course, some supporters argued that government-funded personnel "should be available at a moment's notice," and that stricter control is "normal."

However, a large number of comments indicate that the real discontent comes from within the system. One person bluntly stated, "Eighty percent of the comments are from their own people criticizing it because their interests have been affected."

In recent years, the CCP has continuously strengthened political security and social stability. From health codes and travel codes during the pandemic to the current centralized storage of passports within the system, approval for leaving Beijing, and registration for inter-provincial travel, more and more people are worried that Chinese society is gradually moving towards a more closed and high-pressure "quasi-wartime management."

Aboluowang commentator Wang Duren commented: In the past, the CCP mainly controlled the people; now even those within the system are under tight surveillance. Passport surrender, approval for leaving Beijing, and registration for inter-provincial travel show that what the authorities truly fear is not just public discontent, but also internal loss of control. When even the ruling class begins to lose its freedom, the CCP's foundation of rule will become increasingly unstable. When even "its own people" begin to be guarded against, it often means that the regime has begun to fear its own collapse.

Greenland plans to add 3 U.S. military bases, reportedly included in U.S. territory

 Direct Translation

Breaking News! Trump's Grand Strategy takes a break! Greenland plans to add 3 U.S. Military Bases, reportedly included in U.S. territory

Editor: Zhongkang / Source: World Journal / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0512/2382902.html / Image : An F-16 lands at Pituffik Space Base (DVIDS)

The BBC, citing multiple sources and officials, reports that amid the ongoing Iraq War, the US and Denmark have been secretly negotiating for months to expand the US troop presence in Greenland. The US has proposed three additional military bases in southern Greenland, which would be formally designated as US territory. While negotiations have made some progress, no formal agreement has been reached, and the final number of bases could still change.

The report indicates that the negotiations are being led by senior State Department official Michael Needham, with the two sides meeting at least five times since mid-January. In contrast, Jeff Landry, the Greenland envoy appointed by Trump and the governor of Louisiana, has been largely absent from the actual negotiations.

Officials interviewed by the BBC stated that these bases would be located in southern Greenland, aiming to monitor potential Russian and Chinese maritime activities in the North Atlantic. This area, located between Greenland, Iceland, and the UK, is known as the GIUK Gap.

One of the new bases is likely to be located in Narsarsuaq, on the site of a former U.S. military base that once housed a small airfield. Analysts suggest other new bases may also be located in areas with existing infrastructure such as airports or ports, as upgrading existing sites is less costly than building entirely new facilities.

The report indicates that U.S. officials did not raise the possibility or method of forcibly seizing control of Greenland during the negotiations. Trump's repeated threats earlier this year to use force to take control of Greenland sparked transatlantic tensions.

The White House confirmed that high-level talks are underway with Greenland and Denmark but declined to comment on details. A White House official told the BBC that the government is very optimistic that the negotiations are moving in the right direction. Denmark has previously expressed its willingness to discuss the establishment of additional US military bases in Greenland, and the Danish Foreign Ministry has also confirmed that it is negotiating with the US. A spokesperson stated that communication with the U.S. continues through diplomatic channels, and no further details will be provided at this time.

The United States currently maintains one military base in Greenland, the Pituffik Space Base, located in northwestern Greenland. It monitors missiles for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) but is not configured for maritime surveillance. During the Cold War, the US had as many as 17 military facilities in Greenland.

The U.S. and Denmark signed a defense agreement in 1951, granting the US considerable leeway to expand its military operations in Greenland, subject to Danish government approval.

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