Protests have erupted in several of China’s largest cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan, and Chongqing, as demonstrators challenge the strict zero-tolerance approach to the coronavirus. Thousands joined these demonstrations, filling streets and expressing frustration with the ongoing restrictions. Across the cityscapes, clashes with police were documented, and reports described people being detained and moved by authorities. The first protests began on Friday, November 25, signaling a rare collective outcry in a country where direct criticism of the government can carry severe penalties.
Participants voiced their discontent with chants such as Xi Jinping go and Communist Party go, while others lit candles and laid flowers in memory of those who died in the fire in Urumqi. Media outlets and observers noted that the demonstrations extended to numerous educational institutions, with students in Beijing and Nanjing joining in. At Tsinghua University, AFP reported hundreds of students gathered, many holding blank sheets as a silent protest against censorship that restricts open political discourse.
Across the information landscape, authorities appeared to take steps to limit the spread of protest coverage online. Reuters reported that Chinese officials were actively removing videos and posts related to the demonstrations, a move aimed at curbing the viral reach of the events. Observers noted the challenge this poses for journalists and ordinary citizens attempting to document developments in real time.
Breaking the daily COVID-19 record
By November 27, authorities updated the country’s daily tally of new coronavirus infections. State data indicated that 39,791 individuals tested positive on the previous day, with more than 36,000 people showing no symptoms. Active cases with symptoms numbered 3,709, while Guangdong province reported the highest concentration of new cases, followed by Beijing and Chongqing in the national ranking.
Just a day earlier, the country reported 39,506 new infections and one fatality. Since the outbreak began, the COVID-19 toll has risen to 5,233 deaths. The surge in cases began to accelerate around November 24, marking a sharp uptick after a previously lower period. In response, government leaders justified strict lockdown measures to protect vulnerable populations and to address concerns about vaccination coverage, particularly among the elderly, even as the country navigates other public health priorities.
Fire in Urumqi
One of the flashpoints fueling nationwide demonstrations was a deadly fire in a residential building in Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Ten people died and nine were injured in the incident, which occurred on November 24. Authorities cited quarantines related to the coronavirus as a factor slowing the response, noting that road closures hindered emergency crews. In the aftermath, officials in Urumqi expressed condolences to the victims’ families and pledged to gradually ease the stringent measures, while promising steps to restore order and safety for residents.