China bows to demands of angry protesters after riots break out over Covid lockdowns

This weekend, mobs in some Chinese cities demanded, politically explosive and dangerous, that autocrat Xi Jinping step down from office over the losses human due to the "no" of the country. -"Covid" policy

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Protests over China's strict lockdown have hit Shanghai and other cities

Chinese cities have bowed to protesters' demands to ease virus restrictions in a bid to diffuse public anger over some of the world's toughest lockdowns.

After weekend protests in which some crowds demanded the resignation of politically explosive leader Xi Jinping, the streets of major cities remained calm in the face of a crackdown that was largely ignored.

Guangzhou in the south, Shijiazhuang in the north, Chengdu in the southwest and other major cities have announced that they are relaxing testing requirements and travel controls. In some areas, markets and bus service have reopened.

A newspaper reported that Beijing, the capital, has started allowing some people with the virus to self-isolate at home, avoiding crowded quarantine centers that have sparked complaints.

The government did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation.

A man raises his fist during a street protest in Shanghai on November 27 (

Picture:

AFP via Getty Images)

But many of the rules that brought people to the streets of Shanghai, Beijing and at least six other cities remain in effect.

The death of former leader Jiang Zemin this week could provide another opportunity for crowds to gather and possibly protest.

Announcements easing restrictions failed to mention last weekend's protests against the human cost of anti-virus measures that are confining millions of people to their homes.

But the timing and the publicity suggest Xi's government was trying to assuage public anger.