China clamps down on ‘zero covid’ protests, loosens some pandemic measures

Small protests against China’s strict “zero covid” policy occurred in several cities Monday evening, as citizens defied a police crackdown and threats of reprisal, with Beijing blaming “foreign forces” even as authorities moved to vaccinate more seniors and relax some distancing measures.

From Hangzhou in the east to Kunming in the southwest and Beijing in the north, groups of people demonstrated by holding up blank paper — a symbol of state censorship — in solidarity with protesters in Shanghai, the first major city where the recent rallies against the zero covid measures occurred.

The protests were primarily vehicles to vent about lockdowns and commemorate people who had died in a fire in the far northwestern region of Xinjiang last week. Many Chinese believe that the zero covid policy worsened the tragedy by slowing first responders, an allegation that authorities deny. Frustrations about political oppression have also crept in, with some calling for the ouster of the ruling Communist Party and President Xi Jinping.

Monday evening’s demonstrations were relatively small, involving perhaps dozens of protesters. Rallies against alleged local government malfeasance are also not an uncommon sight in China — but prolonged, nationwide protests against central authorities are extremely unusual. Videos of these moments circulated widely online, even as censors made efforts to cut off access.