China Is Sealing Itself Off—Here’s How Xi Is Doing It

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Is China closing itself off from the world? In 2026, a series of moves—from tighter passport controls to social restrictions and sweeping VPN crackdowns—suggest something much bigger is unfolding inside the system.
This isn’t just about censorship. It’s about control over who can leave, who people can talk to, and what information can flow in and out of the country. From officials to ordinary citizens, the scope of control is expanding—and it’s becoming more visible than ever.
At the same time, Beijing is facing pressure from both ends: internal instability and rising global confrontation. As the outside world pushes in, the system appears to be pulling inward—tightening control and reducing exposure.
In this episode, we break down the four key layers of this shift—and why China may be sealing itself off from the inside.

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