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They are the biggest signs of discontent since Xi Jinping took over the reins of the country. Demonstrations took place in various parts of the nation, mainly in Shanghai and Beijing, the capital. This occurs amid a rebound in cases in the Asian giant and fears in the economic sector.
An unknown number of people came out in various parts of China to demonstrate against the anti-covid measures imposed by the central government amid a spike in coronavirus cases.
In Shanghai, the country's economic hub, crowds gathered for a vigil for the victims of a fire that killed at least 10 people in Urumqi. Those who attended the ceremony point to the strict sanitary restrictions, such as blocking the access doors to the buildings, as the main cause for which the deaths were recorded.
The protesters loudly called for the lifting of "the blockade on all of China" and in an unusual scene in the country, they also shouted phrases such as "down with the Communist Party" and "down with Xi Jinping", according to the Reuters news agency.
In Beijing, the capital, dozens of people gathered at Tsinghua University to protest peacefully. What was lived there puzzled many, since it is the alma mater of the country's leader and one of the educational centers of the national elite.
In other cities such as Nanjing, Xi'an, Guangzhou, Lanzhou and Xinjiang, there were also signs of irritation from citizens. The AP agency, without being able to independently verify the information, reported demonstrations in at least 50 universities. These widespread outrages are unusual in a country that exercises significant control over dissent.
The economy in the eye of the hurricane
Despite not reporting a disaster in the second world economy, the production process is in the eye of the hurricane. A point of relative calm, but surrounded by uncertainties.
Reuters claims that the giant's economy slowed down last October, as a result of declining results at factories and falling retail sales.
Data provided by the National Statistics Office also reported that companies have seen a decrease in general profits from January to October, specifically 22 of the 41 main productive poles.
To this must be added the effects of the international economic crisis, aggravated by the invasion of Russia, one of its main allies, to Ukraine.
Zero covid: the coping strategy
Despite the fact that the world is gradually opening up to normality after taking a step forward in combating the virus, China maintains its 'zero covid' policy as a necessary preventive measure to prevent a eventual collapse of health systems.
The strategy, criticized today but endorsed at the beginning of the pandemic by citizens, comes from the pen of the president and also secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, which makes the indication not only take on a health nuance, but also a political one.
With nearly 40,000 new infections reported on Saturday, the world's most populous nation is facing a new outbreak of the disease.
National anthem
The mix of songs is striking. On a loudspeaker that someone has brought, that epic song composed by David Bowie is heard: "We can be heroes just for one day." “Freedom, freedom!
China treads uncharted territory
The Xinjiang tragedy has increased the anger of the population at a time when China is treading on unknown territory by registering the highest number of infections since the start of the pandemic Three years after the first cases were detected, the Chinese government remains committed to implementing harsh lockdowns and mass testing to contain the transmission of the virus. During this time, the vast majority of the population has accepted that this control was necessary to avoid the high numbers of deaths that have been recorded in the United States, India or Europe, but patience seems to have reached a limit this year, when You are seeing other nations, after promoting vaccination, return to a life similar to the one before 2020, even if they continue to record infections. This Sunday, the People's Daily , the main newspaper of the Communist Party, publishes an editorial in which it emphasizes the need for perseverance and calls for continuing to adhere to the zero covid policy. A good part of the residents of Beijing are currently locked in their homes, and restaurants, parks and schools closed, while the numbers of positives are exceeded every day. Big cities like Guangzhou and Chongqing are virtually in full lockdown. Follow Ground Report for Climate Change and Under-Reported issues in India. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Koo App, Instagram, Whatsapp and YouTube. Write us on [email protected]/ground-report/media/post_attachments/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-211.png "publive-image")
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