Shanghai Hit by COVID Protests: Protesters Chant "Xi Jinping Quit, CCP Quit"
Protests spread across Shanghai and Beijing on Sunday against China's strict "zero COVID" policy. It's been almost three years since China followed some of the toughest COVID restrictions in the world.
After a deadly fire in northwest Urumqi, people protested across China, which is rare in the country.
According to reports, people on social media expressed concern about the fire and said it was caused by extreme lockdowns that delayed rescue efforts .
On Sunday, local residents began protesting near the apartment where at least 10 people died. The demonstrators chanted, "Xi Jinping quit, the CCP quit," referring to the Chinese president and the ruling Communist Party.
According to various social media posts, the protests have spread to seven other cities and dozens of college campuses.
"We want our basic human rights. We cannot leave our homes without taking a test. It was the Xinjiang accident that pushed people too far," Reuters quoted . former protester saying.
Also read: China under Xi Jinping's COVID Zero policy is similar to Kim Jong Un's North Korea, expert says: " I felt more like Pyongyang"
"People here are not violent, but the police arrest them for no reason. They tried to grab me, but the people around me grabbed my arms so hard and pulled me fired back so I could escape," the anonymous protester added.
Another protester said, "We don't want PCR tests, but we want freedom."
Last week, China reported a record number of daily COVID-19 infections. According to official data, the country reported 31,444 new local cases, surpassing the previous record of 29,317 on April 13.
Lockdowns, mass testing and restrictions have been imposed in cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou and Tianjin.
Earlier, protests erupted at an Apple Inc AAPL iPhone assembly plant in Zhengzhou, China over strict COVID rules and wage issues.
Chinese leaders have maintained their zero COVID policy, and with rising COVID cases and increasing restrictions, the country is heading towards economic uncertainty.
According to a Chinese state media report, the cabinet announced that it would reduce bank cash reserve requirements and other monetary policy tools to ensure sufficient liquidity.
Economists predict the country could see further economic disruption if the shutdowns continue, affecting key ports and airports.
Photo: courtesy of shutterstock.com
© 2022 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Protests spread across Shanghai and Beijing on Sunday against China's strict "zero COVID" policy. It's been almost three years since China followed some of the toughest COVID restrictions in the world.
After a deadly fire in northwest Urumqi, people protested across China, which is rare in the country.
According to reports, people on social media expressed concern about the fire and said it was caused by extreme lockdowns that delayed rescue efforts .
On Sunday, local residents began protesting near the apartment where at least 10 people died. The demonstrators chanted, "Xi Jinping quit, the CCP quit," referring to the Chinese president and the ruling Communist Party.
According to various social media posts, the protests have spread to seven other cities and dozens of college campuses.
"We want our basic human rights. We cannot leave our homes without taking a test. It was the Xinjiang accident that pushed people too far," Reuters quoted . former protester saying.
Also read: China under Xi Jinping's COVID Zero policy is similar to Kim Jong Un's North Korea, expert says: " I felt more like Pyongyang"
"People here are not violent, but the police arrest them for no reason. They tried to grab me, but the people around me grabbed my arms so hard and pulled me fired back so I could escape," the anonymous protester added.
Another protester said, "We don't want PCR tests, but we want freedom."
Last week, China reported a record number of daily COVID-19 infections. According to official data, the country reported 31,444 new local cases, surpassing the previous record of 29,317 on April 13.
Lockdowns, mass testing and restrictions have been imposed in cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou and Tianjin.
Earlier, protests erupted at an Apple Inc AAPL iPhone assembly plant in Zhengzhou, China over strict COVID rules and wage issues.
Chinese leaders have maintained their zero COVID policy, and with rising COVID cases and increasing restrictions, the country is heading towards economic uncertainty.
According to a Chinese state media report, the cabinet announced that it would reduce bank cash reserve requirements and other monetary policy tools to ensure sufficient liquidity.
Economists predict the country could see further economic disruption if the shutdowns continue, affecting key ports and airports.
Photo: courtesy of shutterstock.com
© 2022 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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