A former detainee, Zhang X belongs to those people singled out for stricter surveillance - the focal population (重点人口). But officers at the Xicheng police station just cannot find his personal file anymore...Personal dossiers (dang'an) are files where information about citizens is recorded. Info ranges from one's address and physical characteristics to political performance. The dang'an system has been significantly relaxed and modernized. Today, a database containing all the information that once was written down on paper still allows to monitor every citizen.
In theory.
And, mostly importantly, if the police doesn't lose your file.
This is what happened to Zhang X. In 1983, Zhang was sentenced to three years on charges of corruption. So Zhang's employer transferred his personal dossier to the local police station. But the police simply lost the file. One may think that Zhang should have been happy to break free from such a tight social control, right?
Actually Zhang was unable to accept several jobs. Years later he also found out he couldn't retire or enjoy his pension or other welfare benefits either. Because all of this was linked to his personal dossier. And the dang'an was nowhere to be found. Eventually Zhang sued his former employer, the residents' committee and the local police station for damage. The Xicheng district court in Beijing ruled that a 40.000 yuan compensation be paid to him.
Actually Zhang was unable to accept several jobs. Years later he also found out he couldn't retire or enjoy his pension or other welfare benefits either. Because all of this was linked to his personal dossier. And the dang'an was nowhere to be found. Eventually Zhang sued his former employer, the residents' committee and the local police station for damage. The Xicheng district court in Beijing ruled that a 40.000 yuan compensation be paid to him.
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