China has shut down more than 1,000 social media accounts, including some with millions of followers. The rationale is that information has been presented to criticize the government’s response to COVID-19.
Weibo, China’s largest social media network, has “suspended” or “banned” accounts for posting content attacking Chinese COVID-19 experts, without specifying whether Which post caused the ban?
Beijing scrapped its “zero COVID-19” policy in December, when the abrupt easing of stricter rules drove daily infections. and the death toll is rising rapidly
What Chinese netizens have complained regarding before is that Overly strict social restrictions, such as lockdown measures, have left many Chinese in home isolation for weeks. But lately, netizens have begun to target Chinese experts who advocate for the state to abruptly end COVID-19 restrictions despite having strongly supported these measures just weeks ago.
Weibo said the audit firm had found nearly 13,000 cases of “rule-breaking” users, including posts attacking experts, academics and medical personnel. And has measures to temporarily suspend or “permanently ban” all 1,120 user accounts
“Insulting those who dissent Spreading words attacking a person and offer a point of view that provokes controversy. It is unacceptable.” Weibo said in a statement. and warned that the company would “Serious measures are being taken” once morest those who undermine the welfare of communities.
Strong protests a few months ago prompted China to abandon lockdown and testing mobilization at the heart of its zero COVID strategy. But following that, there were reports that Chinese hospitals were overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients. While crematoriums across China, bodies are queuing up to be cremated.
in the midst of a worrying situation Instead, the Chinese government stopped publishing the daily number of infected people. and adjusting the criteria for confirming deaths from COVID-19 This brings the number of deaths since December to just 22.
Chinese tourists began traveling on Saturday for the 40-day Lunar New Year holiday, with the Ministry of Transport forecasting more than two million trips this year, a 99.5 percent increase year on year. year following year
Meanwhile, the Chinese government also lifted foreign travel quarantine on Sunday, meaning Chinese nationals will be able to travel overseas without quarantine following returning for the first time in nearly three years.
source: BBC
