The Global Search for 'Yang Lanlan' Has Uncovered a Chilling Truth

Yang Lanlan reported to the police, accompanied by a bodyguard. (Online image)

[People News] 23-year-old Chinese-Australian woman Yang Lanlan has recently captured the attention of international public opinion. Beyond her youth and substantial wealth, her enigmatic identity has led netizens to investigate her background more thoroughly. While Australian media assert that 'there is no such person,' netizens have found that China is home to more than just one 'Yang Lanlan'; the hidden 'Lanlans' are even more alarming.

On August 24, Radio France Internationale's 'Micro-Voices' column gathered netizen comments regarding the Yang Lanlan case.

Netizen @AsianFinance remarked: The mainstream academic community in economics posits that social wealth typically adheres to the '80/20 rule,' where 20% of the affluent population holds 80% of the total wealth. However, the wealth distribution in China is significantly harsher than this rule: 4.6 million wealthy individuals, representing just 0.33% of the total population, control 67.44% (290 trillion) of the wealth; conversely, 1.3 billion people, or 92.62% of the population, possess only 6.98% (30 trillion) of the wealth. In contrast, the top 1% of the U.S. population holds approximately 30-35% of the wealth. The '80/20 rule' reflects a typical market condition for wealth distribution. Yet, in China, where half of the power is engaged in rent-seeking and the other half is mired in corruption, the outcomes are distinctly abnormal.

Netizen @Ziben Baike commented: In Sydney, Yang Lanlan, a member of the elite red aristocracy, has siphoned off 99% of taxpayers' wealth, subsequently showcasing an Australian Rolls-Royce photo studio; meanwhile, the remaining 99% of taxpayers are left to scrape by with pickled vegetables while watching the Nanjing photo studio! Another official second-generation, Li Fanni, was once arrested in San Francisco for allegedly plotting to murder her husband, and she made global headlines by posting a staggering $66 million bail. They are both considered public enemies.

Netizen @Qiao Zhifei remarked: The Yang Lanlan that is visible is not the real threat; the truly frightening ones are the 'Lanlans' that remain hidden from view...

Their immense wealth is likely the reason behind your own poverty. When wealth is derived from privileged distribution, every luxury is a testament to the blood, sweat, and toil of the masses. Who Yang Lanlan is has become less significant—she is simply a representation of a group, a distinct class that is distanced from the everyday lives of the public, supported by power and wealth.

Today it is Yang Lanlan, but tomorrow it could be Ma Lanlan or Niu Lanlan. Even if she is not Chinese, do you really believe that there won't be even more mysterious and affluent privileged 'Lanlans' in China?

The most notable aspect of this wealth is that it remains unchallengeable: in this age of advanced information, you still cannot uncover her family connections, the flow of funds, or the path of wealth accumulation, as this information is meticulously shielded by layers of power.

What is even more alarming is that public opinion and sentiment often fade away after a brief period of engagement, and once the excitement subsides, there is little follow-up on the underlying causes of such situations. This wealth model can continue to function, generating the next wave of 'Yang Lanlan'. This indifference is, in fact, the most formidable barrier for the privileged class. Thus, it is essential to question: who provided her with these resources? Who did these resources originally belong to? Was the process transparent and open? Was there any oversight? If not, why were there none?

On August 8, in response to the floods in Huairou and Miyun, Beijing called for donations, leading to a comment section filled with remarks such as 'How much did Yang Lanlan donate?' 'Find Yang Lanlan; there are plenty of people like her in Beijing.' 'You can't even trust punctuation!' 'Lanlan's daily expenses would suffice.' 'With so many Lanlans spending for me, can I get a way out?'

Some overseas netizens have remarked, "The comment section is ablaze! The evidence shows that most Chinese citizens have reached the third stage: First stage: beginning to doubt them! Second stage: starting to disbelieve them! Third stage: no longer fearing them! Fourth stage: beginning to resist them!" 

Furthermore, on August 8, the Chinese Communist Party's official media outlet, Xinhua, published a commentary titled 'Preventing Execution from Going Awry While Living Tight'. The article stated that 'the Party and government are leading by example in living frugally, with the goal of ensuring a better life for the common people', and 'the aim of living frugally is to allocate funds effectively, and necessary expenditures must be made.'

On various social media platforms in mainland China, including Douyin and Weibo, this article has been republished by several local media outlets affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party. The comment section of the video broadcast is filled with sarcastic remarks: "Save it for Lanlan." "Everyone is struggling financially; only Yang Lanlan can afford to buy a car." "How can you even say that?" "You've said all the flattering things already." "Work hard, support Lanlan." "Spend now, support Lanlan." "Pay social insurance, support Lanlan." "Work tirelessly, support Lanlan." "I would gladly give all my money to Yang Lanlan, wishing her a happy and fulfilling life."

An article by Zhang Dongning published on August 24 by Feng Media highlights the deep-seated social anxieties triggered by the Yang Lanlan incident, which merit serious reflection. The article examines social anxiety through several key points:

Firstly, the issue of wealth transparency: In an era where the income and assets of ordinary individuals are becoming increasingly visible, how is it that some people can completely conceal vast fortunes? Is this 'invisibility' a matter of legitimate privacy or a tactic to evade regulatory oversight?

Secondly, the flow of capital in the age of globalisation: How much of the immense wealth accumulated during China's rapid economic growth over the past few decades has been funneled overseas, and through what means? Are these cross-border assets capable of withstanding legitimacy checks?

Thirdly, the perception of intergenerational fairness: This 23-year-old girl possesses wealth that would take the average person dozens or even hundreds of lifetimes to amass. This phenomenon of 'being born into wealth' creates a psychological impact on diligent young individuals striving for success.

A poem by netizen @Gancheng Wang may encapsulate the essence of the Yang Lanlan incident:

In the liberated area, Lanlan is in the sky,
The people in the liberated area cannot afford to eat.
If you ask where the rice has gone,
The rice has been funded in Lanlan's account.

On July 27, around 3:30 AM, a blue Rolls-Royce collided violently with a Mercedes-Benz on New South Head Road in Rose Bay, a suburb of eastern Sydney, Australia. This tragic accident left one of the drivers confined to a wheelchair for the rest of their life. The other driver, Yang Lanlan, emerged unscathed, although preliminary alcohol tests indicated a positive result. Following this, Australian media revealed that Yang Lanlan not only owned the car involved in the crash but also had an unregistered white Rolls-Royce Phantom convertible, which was adorned with limited edition Labubu dolls on the dashboard. The combined value of the two vehicles is estimated at 2.5 million Australian dollars. Furthermore, she lives in a sea-view apartment located in Vaucluse, one of Sydney's most affluent neighbourhoods.

Her daily life is marked by extreme luxury, with high-end brands such as Chanel and Hermes being the norm. For instance, a black Chanel top is priced at around 20,000 US dollars; her shopping is conducted through a VIP reservation system, and she has previously rented an upscale shopping centre, achieving a spending record of between 500,000 and 1 million Australian dollars per hour. She is accompanied by private bodyguards, and her household employs a dedicated service team consisting of over ten nannies and bodyguards.

What is particularly puzzling is that, in this age of information overload, Yang Lanlan has left no digital footprint. The British Daily Mail has noted that this absence of any digital traces in our highly interconnected modern world is 'rare'. △