I have a bad feeling about this as well honestly. When you see the state begins to crackdown against identities (such as fan worshipping) other than national or state-promoted ones, it is a sign that the government is demanding collective efforts for a large conflict. In fact, the government is now getting serious about promoting traditional male masculinities as opposed to "sissy" styles. Also, one thing that COVID helped China is to test (and has proven) the state for its ability to mobilize the society during enduring crises. Now Xi and the Party-State can more confidently move this ability beyond COVID. What I will be looking next is that happens specifically with the Civil-Military fusion, especially if regular private companies (manufactures, construction, material deliveries, electronics, etc.) that pass security/political clearances start receiving defense projects en mass, as well as veterans were given higher pay to return to their previous units. What we have see so far are massive expansions of airports and SAM sites in the Southeast and in Tibet and Xinjiang bordering India. Roughly two years ago, the MND also ordered roughly 2 millions pieces of body armor set to be fully delivered by next year. For long time Chinese military watchers, y'all know that the PLA usually does not wear body armor and have traditionally kept only a small number for themselves during peacetime.
