On worrying about Chinese people: 2018

Further, Xiao Zhang thinks that the economy is not as healthy as the Party says it is. This begs the question: could it be that Xi Jinping is tightening the screws because he knows that trouble is coming?

I ask if she would give up and emigrate (as other friends have done). No, she cares for her country and will struggle quietly for change. Although she acknowledges that her generation may not benefit, she hopes for a better life and society for her child's generation. So this unsung 'yingxiong' (hero) will soldier on.

It won't be easy for her though, and she must be careful. Recently, a colleague who had criticised government policy online was invited to 'have a cup of tea' with local Communist Party functionaries. His blog was deleted and he was warned that he might lose his job if he didn't toe the line.

I can name several old Chinese friends who have shared their political frustrations and dreams with me over the years. Although I enjoyed our lively discussions, I would always caution them to be careful. You never know who might be listening.

And last weekend, I met the daughter and son-in-law of wealthy friends who had invited me for dinner. This charming young couple who have had everything provided for them - including an education abroad - will never have to work hard for a living (Chinese people refer to these folk as 'Fuer dai' - the rich second generation).

Surprisingly, this privileged couple also volunteered criticism of Xi Jinping and the one party state.

So there's hope.

Balanced against this however, are the millions of Chinese people who struggle for a living and who have no interest in politics. They just want to get through life as best they can.

They'll be the first to lose their jobs though, when China experiences its first Western style capitalist recession.

Then there will be trouble.

Xi Jinping's nightmare.