Protests and clashes with police have erupted all over China since a deadly fire in Xinjiang province killed ten or more people last Thursday.
Protesters are demanding the government lift its COVID-19 restrictions and, in some cases, want their leader Xi Jinping to step down.
Why the protests
The fire occurred in Urumqi city, which was under lockdown for the past 100 days. What started as a peaceful vigil for the fire victims and protests demanding clarity on their deaths has now spread to the capital, Beijing, and major cities like Shanghai.
What protestors want
Citizens have had enough of the country’s ‘zero-COVID’ policy. Many held up white sheets of paper as a symbolic protest against censorship. Chants like “end lockdowns,” and “Xi Jinping! Step down! CCP! Step down!” were also heard.
China won’t make any major changes
Despite the protests—lauded as the largest anti-government protests since Tiananmen Square—political analysts and economists say that China is less likely to make any major changes in its COVID-19 lockdowns and policies.