China accuses foreign forces of brainwashing youth into 'lying flat'

Spy agency elevates anti-consumerist trend as matter of national security

A job fair in Beijing in March: Chinese authorities are accusing foreign forces of brainwashing youth against having ambition, while the country struggles to provide enough high-quality jobs. © Reuters

HONG KONG -- China has accused foreign forces of systematically brainwashing the country's youth into "lying flat," or rejecting high-pressure work and consumerism, as Beijing sees the viral trend as a threat to economic growth.