China tightens security following protests against COVID curbs
Police patrolled Monday the scene of weekend protests in Shanghai, Beijing and other cities in China after people demonstrated against strict COVID-19 measures that disrupted lives three years ago during the pandemic.
Protesters have demonstrated in unprecedented numbers since Xi Jinping’s inauguration a decade ago, from the streets of many Chinese cities to dozens upon universities. During his tenure, Xi oversaw the quashing and expansion of a high tech social surveillance system, which has made protest more difficult and riskier.
Jason Sun, a student at a Shanghai college, said that he objects to restrictions on people’s rights in the name of virus prevention and the restrictions on individual freedoms and people’s livelihoods.
On Monday, there was no sign that protests were escalating in Shanghai or Beijing. However, dozens of officers were present in areas where demonstrations occurred over the weekend.
When Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry, was asked about anger at China’s zero COVID policy, Zhao Lijian said to reporters that “what you described does not reflect what actually occurred.”
“We believe that the Communist Party of China will lead the fight against COVID-19, with cooperation and support from the Chinese people.”
After Noble Park’s fatal shooting, second man is charged with murder
China’s efforts at eliminating the virus are being hampered by the backlash against COVID curbs. The virus is now infected in record numbers in China three years after its first appearance in Wuhan.
China has maintained its official death toll at fewer than one million, while the United States has seen more than a million. However, the zero-COVID policy has caused significant disruption to the second-largest country in the world by limiting many millions to home for long periods.
It would be like abandoning a policy that Xi championed. Experts warn that it could also lead to a collapse of the health system, leading to widespread illness and death in a country with many millions of seniors and low immunity to COVID.
Protests rocked global markets Monday. Oil prices fell and the dollar rose, while Chinese stocks and yuan dropped sharply.
The protests were not mentioned by state media, but instead editorials urged citizens to adhere to COVID rules. Many analysts believe that China will not reopen before March or April and need to be vaccinated before they do.
Analysts at Gavekal Dragonomics stated that although the demonstrations are not likely to threaten the political order, they do indicate that the current COVID policy mix cannot be politically sustained.
“Now, the question is how reopening will look.” It is slow, incremental, and messy.
Jason Sun, a student at a Shanghai college, said that he objects to restrictions on people’s rights in the name of virus prevention and the restrictions on individual freedoms and people’s livelihoods.
On Monday, there was no sign that protests were escalating in Shanghai or Beijing. However, dozens of officers were present in areas where demonstrations occurred over the weekend.
When Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry, was asked about anger at China’s zero COVID policy, Zhao Lijian said to reporters that “what you described does not reflect what actually occurred.”
“We believe that the Communist Party of China will lead the fight against COVID-19, with cooperation and support from the Chinese people.”
China’s efforts at eliminating the virus are being hampered by the backlash against COVID curbs. The virus is now infected in record numbers in China three years after its first appearance in Wuhan.
China has maintained its official death toll at a few thousand, as opposed to more than a million in America. However, the zero-COVID policy has caused significant disruption to the second-largest country in the world by limiting many millions to home for long periods, causing extensive damage and disruption.
It would be like abandoning a policy that Xi championed. Experts warn that it could also lead to a collapse of the health system, leading to widespread illness and death in a country with many millions of seniors and low immunity to COVID.
Protests rocked global markets Monday. Oil prices fell and the dollar rose, while Chinese stocks and yuan dropped sharply.
The protests were not mentioned by state media, but instead editorials urged citizens to adhere to COVID rules. Many analysts believe that China will not reopen before March or April and need to be vaccinated before they do.
Analysts at Gavekal Dragonomics stated that although the demonstrations are not likely to threaten the political order, they do indicate that the current COVID policy mix cannot be politically sustained.
“Now, the question is how reopening will look.” It is slow, incremental, and messy.
Protesters clashed in Shanghai’s commercial center on Sunday night. The 25 million residents of Shanghai were left at home in April and May. Security forces took away a busload.
Blue metal barriers were placed on the Shanghai streets to stop protesters from gathering. High-visibility vest-wielding police officers patrolled the streets in pairs while motorbikes and police cars passed by.
A staff member of one cafe and shop in the area was asked to close.
Investors have been concerned about China’s COVID policies, which has remained a significant source of uncertainty. However, investors are now being closely monitored for signs of political instability. This is something many did not consider in authoritarian China where Xi was recently elected to a third term.
Martin Petch, vice-president at Moody’s Investors Service said that the ratings agency expects the protests to “dissipate relatively rapidly and without resulting from serious political violence.”
They could be credit-negative if they continue and are met with a stronger response from the authorities.
