China’s present surveillance system is renowned for its technological sophistication, yet its philosophical roots reach deep into ancient Chinese thought. Legalist, Confucian, and dynastic precedents all viewed oversight not merely as a practical tool but as a fundamental value of good governance. In fact, the tenets of Legalism, articulated most forcefully by Han Feizi, insisted that rulers must enforce strict laws and monitor subjects through administrative measures rather than rely on moral persuasion alone. In Han Feizi’s view, only omnipresent vigilance could ensure order before disorder erupted. Today’s “Sharp Eyes” program, which unifies public and private camera networks to achieve near-total visibility of urban and rural areas, embodies precisely this doctrine, reflecting a rational, data-oriented approach to preemptive control that resonates with Legalist thought.

Moreover, Han Feizi warned against trusting subjects merely because they appeared loyal. Instead, he championed continuous surveillance and immediate rectification of any deviance, ideas that find a direct analogue in Xinjiang’s AI-driven predictive-policing systems, the extensive collection of biometric data,........

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