China Tries To Censor Data About Nearly 1 Billion People in Poverty::Chinese government censors tried to control discussions about the country’s economy this week.
1 billion people in China living in poverty?? I find that almost hard to believe that’s ~66% of their population
That’s because it’s being applied to Western standards. China spends a crazy amount of money on social welfare and government assistance. Minimum wage is around or less than 2000 Yuan a month around the country, yes. But, that’s completely ignoring currency exchange rates and cost of living.
Cost of living in Shanghai and Beijing are around 4,500 Yuan. Which means a couple or two roommates can live on minimum wage in the biggest cities. Compare that to minimum wage and cost of living in New York City or LA which is $1,280 a month, costing $4,300 and 1,342 a month, costing $5,576 respectively.
Tldr: how much money you make is only relevant when compared to your cost of living. It’s not hard to live in China on $300 a month.
So by relative purchasing power, why would China want to censor information if it didn’t actually put them in a negative light?
Well I think this article and comment section is a clear indication of the power of this information when used for propaganda.
This was my first thought. Seems unlikely. I’d see this just as likely being propaganda.
