China COVID-19 Protests Live Updates – Hundreds Take To Streets In Beijing, Shanghai
New Delhi:
Hundreds of people took to the streets in Beijing and Shanghai on Sunday to protest against China’s zero-Covid policy in a rare outpouring of public anger against the state. China’s hardline virus strategy is stoking public frustration, with many growing weary of snap lockdowns, lengthy quarantines and mass testing campaigns. A deadly fire on Thursday in Urumqi, the capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang region, has become a fresh catalyst for public anger, with many blaming lengthy Covid lockdowns for hampering rescue efforts. Authorities deny the claims.
n China’s Wuhan, Where Covid Outbreak Began, Hundreds Protest On Streets
Hundreds of people protested in Wuhan in central China on Sunday, livestreams showed, as demonstrations against the country’s strict zero-Covid policy broke out across the country. People gathered at night, cheering and recording the protest on their mobile phones.
Nov 27, 2022 19:36 (IST)
Chinese TV Cuts Maskless World Cup Scenes As Covid Protests Mount: Report
China’s state broadcaster is cutting close-up shots of maskless fans at the Qatar World Cup, after early coverage sparked anger at home where street protests have erupted over harsh Covid-19 restrictions.
CCTV Sports showed distant shots of the crowd where it was difficult to make out individual faces, and fewer crowd shots compared to the live telecast.
Nov 27, 2022 19:32 (IST)
China’s Shenzhen Limits Indoor Occupancy, Asks Public To Work From Home
The Chinese city of Shenzhen said it will limit restaurant and other indoor venues to 50% occupancy as part of its COVID prevention measures.
During an evening briefing, local authorities also required the majority of enterprises, employees and residents to work from home from Monday to Friday.
Nov 27, 2022 17:51 (IST)
China Records 39,506 New Covid Cases
China reported 39,506 domestic Covid-19 cases Sunday, a record high.
Several high-profile cases in which emergency services have been allegedly slowed down by Covid lockdowns, leading to deaths, have catalysed public opposition.
Hundreds of people massed outside Urumqi’s government offices after the deadly fire, chanting: “Lift lockdowns!”.
Nov 27, 2022 17:40 (IST)
Overnight Vigils Took Place In Universities Across China
Other vigils took place overnight at universities across China, including one at Tsinghua’s neighbour Peking University, an undergraduate participant told AFP.
Speaking anonymously for fear of repercussions, he said some anti-Covid slogans had been daubed on a wall in the university.
“I heard people yelling: ‘No to Covid tests, yes to freedom!’,” he said.
Nov 27, 2022 17:33 (IST)
“Xi Jinping, Step Down”: Chanted Crowds In Shanghai
Crowds had gathered hours before on nearby Wulumuqi street — named for Urumqi in Mandarin — with video showing protesters chanting “Xi Jinping, step down! CCP, step down!” in a rare display of public opposition to the Chinese Communist Party’s top leadership.
The Shanghai protests were in full swing at 2:00 am (1800 GMT), with one group mourning the 10 people killed in the Urumqi fire while another group chanted slogans.
Nov 27, 2022 17:27 (IST)
Hundreds of people gathered in downtown Shanghai on Sunday afternoon to hold what appeared to be a silent protest near where a demonstration had erupted just hours earlier. Demonstrators holding blank pieces of paper and white flowers stood silently at several intersections.
Nov 27, 2022 17:26 (IST)
A deadly fire on Thursday in Urumqi, the capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang region, has become a fresh catalyst for public anger, with many blaming lengthy Covid lockdowns for hampering rescue efforts. Authorities deny the claims.