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A few days after the historic congress of the Communist Party, an unusual demonstration against the president took place in Beijing Xi Jinping and the restrictions of covid-19.
Two protest banners appeared on a bridge in the northwest of the city, as seen in images spread through social networks. But public expression was quickly quashed by the authorities.
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The strict security measures imposed on the occasion of the meeting of the governing party and the restrictions imposed against the coronavirus have raised the outrage on the Internet and in the streets of the city.
Authorities have tightened access to Beijing, shutting out many people, including returning residents and delivery people. Others had restricted movement or were forced to quarantine.
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like gunpowder
The images and footage of the protest that have circulated showed two large banners unfurled on a bridge in the Haidian district of Beijing.
“No to covid-19 tests, we want to eat. No to restrictions, we want freedom. No to lies, we want dignity. No to the Cultural Revolution, we want reforms. No leaders, we want votes. We are not slaves, we are citizens“. This read one of the posters.
The other called on residents to “go on strike at school and work, remove the dictator and national traitor Xi Jinping“.
A video recorded at the scene showed a thick column of smoke on the bridge, the origin of which has not been determined, and a man could be heard singing slogans into a loudspeaker.
A BBC team later visited the area without finding a trace of the subject, but found that there was a visible police presence in the area.
the ultimate event
The 20th Party Congress will start this Sunday, will last for a week and some 2,300 senior Party officials and delegates will participate.
At this meeting, Chinese leader Xi Jinping is expected to receive a third termbreaking a decades-old tradition and reinforcing his already firm grip on power.
The capital usually has strict security measures before major events. The streets have been reinforced with paramilitary police patrolling subway stations and neighborhoods near the Great Hall of the Peoplewhere the conference will be held.
The authorities are taking measures against the use of social networks that circumvent the controls, to prevent the dissemination of information that get out of control of the Communist Party.
Yet another ingredient
In an attempt to put an end to the small outbreaks of covid-19 that have been registered in Beijing in the face of the congress, the city authorities have imposed much stricter health and social distancing measures than in the rest of China.
Tens of millions of residents are undergoing tests every three daysas well as controls at the entrances of all buildings and are being forced to wear masks.
The authorities have also restricted the number of people entering the city and have discouraged residents from leaving it.
Many people who traveled to other cities during the recent national day (October 1, commemorating the founding of the People’s Republic and the end of the civil war) found that their online health codes – essential for traveling around the country – suddenly indicated that they were at risk of contracting the covid-19 infection, which prevented them from board trains or return flights to Beijing.
Others who managed to return to Beijing saw a similar change in their health codes days after returning, according to online accounts, forcing them to quarantine at home.
“I don’t understand why Beijing has done this … I can’t go to work. I’m about to lose my job. I’m very frustrated. When is it going to end?“said a commenter on Weibo (Chinese Twitter).
For his part, another added: “We suffer all this just because someone has to hold a meeting.”
“Why torment ordinary people? The authorities have applied their irrationally political. His credibility is rock bottom. How can people trust them?” asked another.
two realities
The protests come amid growing weariness among ordinary Chinese with the “zero covid” strategy, which has involved harsh lockdowns and quarantines, when other countries have eased them.
Several recent incidents, such as a bus accident that killed 27 people while being transferred to quarantine camps, have provoked public anger.
The frustration collides with the atmosphere of celebration of the Party congress that shows the media and state institutions.
In the capital they have appeared red banners to celebrate the date and the most popular mobile applications have changed the colors of their screens to red.
A stage play recapping the highlights of the past 10 years of Xi’s rule has begun airing on prime-time television, while similarly themed exhibitions are being held across the country.
The state media have spread material supporting official measures, including the “covid zero” policy, urging the Chinese people to “strengthen confidence and be patient with current epidemic prevention and control actions.”
Source: Elcomercio
I, Ronald Payne, am a journalist and author who dedicated his life to telling the stories that need to be said. I have over 7 years of experience as a reporter and editor, covering everything from politics to business to crime.
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