Hundreds of people took to the streets in China’s major cities on Sunday to protest the country’s zero-Covid policy, in a rare display of public outrage directed at the government.
China’s hardline virus strategy is infuriating the public, who are tired of sudden lockdowns, lengthy quarantines, and mass testing campaigns.
Protests against China’s strict Covid-19 lockdowns have intensified in the country, with calls for Xi Jinping to step down as coronavirus cases continue to rise sharply, with nearly 40,000 new infections reported on Sunday. On social media and Twitter, Chinese nationals posted and shared videos of public protests, including a mass demonstration in Shanghai where people shouted slogans against the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) and President Xi Jinping in a rare display of rage.
Just in.#Chengdu ppl were walking peacefully on streets, chanting “ we don’t want Covid virus test. We want freedom”. The crowds gathered since around 8pm and continued till 2am at least local time. #ChinaProtests pic.twitter.com/ptFjdjjOOE
— Vivian Wu (@vivianwubeijing) November 27, 2022
According to reports, many protesters were arrested. There are also videos of students coming out in the open to protest the lockdowns on various university campuses. Students were seen protesting at universities in Beijing, Nanjing, and other cities. The latest unrest comes after a protest in the remote northwestern city of Urumqi, where lockdown rules were blamed after ten people died in a tower block fire, according to the BBC.
Two professors from Fudan University stood in front of the police to stop them from arresting the students. #ChinaProtests #China pic.twitter.com/vAKjOPoezo
— Gabriel Ziukas 🏳️🌈🇱🇹🇺🇦 (@Gabriel_Ziukas) November 27, 2022
Though Chinese authorities denied that Covid curbs were responsible for the deaths, officials in Urumqi issued an apology late Friday, promising to “restore order” by phasing out Covid curbs, according to the report.
A deadly fire in Urumqi, the capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang region, on Thursday sparked new public outrage, with many blaming Covid lockdowns for impeding rescue efforts. The claims are denied by authorities.
Demonstrators gathered in Beijing, the capital, and Shanghai, the financial centre.
Many people held up blank pieces of paper to show their displeasure and acknowledge the censorship. Some have gone so far as to demand that President Xi Jinping resign.
Millions of people have been impacted by nearly three years of mass testing, quarantines, and emergency lockdowns.
In China, where any direct government criticism can result in harsh penalties, it is unusual for people to publicly vent their rage at Communist Party leaders.