China vows to 'suppress hostile forces' after wave of anti-lockdown protests

Chinese police flooded the streets carrying out random identity checks, checking phones for banned images and documents during a crackdown in the aftermath of the anti-lockdown protests

A protester is detained by police during a protest on a street in Shanghai (

Image: uncredited/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

Chinese authorities have pledged to 'resolutely suppress infiltration and sabotage activities by hostile forces', following the largest street protests in decades by citizens fed up with virus restrictions strict.

The statement by the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission comes amid a massive show of force by the security services to deter a repeat of protests that erupted over the weekend in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and several others cities.

While she did not directly address the protests, the statement underscores the determination to enforce her rule.

Hundreds of SUVs, pickup trucks and armored vehicles with flashing lights were parked on city streets on Wednesday as police and paramilitary forces carried out random identity checks and searched people's cellphones looking for photos, banned apps or other potential evidence that they participated in the demonstrations.

The commission's statement says a meeting of state authorities was held at which it was "emphasized that political and legal bodies should take effective measures to - resolutely safeguard national security and social stability."

Police officers patrol an area where protests took place last weekend in Beijing (

Picture:

MARK R CRISTINO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

He continued, "We must resolutely crack down on inf...