https://apnews.com/
BEIJING (AP) — A heated debate has surfaced online and in academic circles over Wang Jinxi, the oil worker once celebrated by the Communist Party as China’s model labor hero known as the “Iron Man.”
Critics argue that Wang, while serving as a team leader, personally jumped into a mud pit during a dangerous drilling accident in the 1960s, setting an example that pressured fellow workers to follow. They question whether this act truly embodied “heroic sacrifice” or instead forced ordinary laborers into unnecessary risks — raising the uncomfortable possibility that Wang’s legacy reflects coerced labor rather than voluntary dedication.
The controversy extends to questions of long-term compensation. More than half a century later, what tangible rewards did those who worked alongside Wang receive? Commentators ask whether their families benefited through stable jobs in state enterprises, political advancement, access to education, or hidden perks such as housing and medical care.
Observers also note the broader political context of the time: in Mao-era China, most citizens worked directly for the state rather than private companies. In such an environment, the state’s heavy promotion of “Iron Man” figures could have served not only as moral inspiration but also as a tool to compel workers into hazardous tasks with little room for refusal.
Supporters, however, insist that Wang’s role must be viewed in the context of the era, when China faced acute energy shortages and mobilized workers under extreme conditions. They argue that the so-called “Iron Man Spirit” inspired generations and should not be reduced to disputes over benefits or accusations of strikebreaking.
The debate highlights broader tensions in today’s China, where historical narratives of sacrifice and collective struggle are increasingly scrutinized against questions of labor rights, political privilege, and intergenerational rewards.