By Arthur Greene
Violent protests have broken out in cities across China over the country’s unpopular “zero Covid” policy.
Since coronavirus first swept across the globe in March 2020, China has implemented some of the world’s strictest Covid rules, including long and abrupt lockdowns, mass testing and forced quarantines.
On Thursday night, the public’s frustration over these laws came to a head after at least 10 people died in a fire in an apartment building in the city of Urumqi. The victims were trapped inside the building after authorities locked it to stop the virus from getting out.
Public anger has been made worse by the fact that these laws don’t seem to be working; more people in China tested positive for the virus last week than in any other week since records began.
Thousands poured onto the streets across several major cities over the weekend to demand an end to the strict laws, while the rest of the world learns to live with the virus.
Protesters clashed with police in Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing and many other cities.
As silent protests and candle-lit vigils for the victims in Urumqi descended into violence, anti-government chants could be heard echoing through cities across the country.
Videos shared on social media show hundreds of protesters angrily confronting the police in Urumqi, which has endured a brutal 100-day lockdown following an outbreak months ago.
One video shows people in a crowd of thousands throwing barriers at officials in white hasmat suits.
Unrest also broke out in Wuhan, the city where the coronavirus started almost three years ago.
Thousands of the protesters have sung chants calling for President Xi Jinping to step down. He has been an ardent endorser of a strict zero-Covid policy since the beginning of the pandemic.
Students in Beijing meanwhile chanted “Freedom will prevail”.
The early signs show that President Xi will not tolerate widespread dissent. Public criticism of the country’s premier can result in a prison sentence.
According to the Daily Mail, at least 300 people have been pepper sprayed by police, but the actual number could be in the thousands.
The government does not appear to have publicly acknowledged the unrest.
Pictured above: A couple in Shanghai stand across from police braced for protests
Source: @BushelsPerAcre
