As protests spread, China moves to tighten security
People have taken to the streets in major cities and gathered at universities across China to call for an end to lockdowns
The Chinese government on Monday tightened security in several cities including Beijing and Shanghai where several hundred people, part of spontaneous demonstrations held across China, took part in protests over the weekend against draconian Covid-19 curbs and heavy-handed treatment of citizens caught in lockdowns.
Some protesters called for President Xi Jinping to resign, saying “we don’t want an emperor”, and demanded democracy and accountability.
The Chinese foreign ministry also dismissed questions on the exceptionally rare demonstrations, saying they do not reflect “what actually happened”, glossing over the widespread resentment among citizens, which prompted them to gather on the streets and voice their anger.
There was no official word on how many people were detained after police used pepper spray, according to the Associated Press, against protesters in Shanghai and struggled to suppress demonstrations in other cities including Beijing.
The protests were triggered by a tragic fire in a Covid-restricted high-rise in the northwestern city of Urumqi, which killed at least 10 people, and another incident of a resident being assaulted in the same city.
Thousands of people in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Urumqi, Wuhan, Hangzhou and Guangzhou and in dozens of university campuses came out to take part in demonstrations over the weekend in protest against China’s “zero-covid” policy, which has upended the lives of millions of citizens, hit individual incomes and depressed the economy in the three years.
The common point in all demonstrations was the anger and exasperation of citizens at the continuing Covidrelated lockdowns in China as the rest of the world has either moved on or is moving to an endemic existence with Covidcausing coronavirus.
China reported 40,052 new Covid-19 infections on Monday for Sunday, setting a new daily record for the fifth straight day.
UN urges restraint
The United Nations on Monday urged China not to detain people simply for taking part in peaceful protests.
“We call on the authorities to respond to protests in line with international human rights laws and standards. No one should be arbitrarily detained for peacefully expressing their opinions,” UN Human Rights Office spokesman Jeremy Laurence told reporters.