“Let’s destroy the traitor Xi Jinping”: the unprecedented protest against the president of China days before he consolidates his third term (and the hunt and praise it generated)
Days before the historic congress of the Communist Party, a rare demonstration once morest President Xi Jinping and the restrictions of covid-19 has caused a stir and generated praise in the Chinese capital.
Two protest banners appeared on a bridge in northwestern Beijing on Thursday in a rare public demonstration that was quickly dismantled by authorities.
But the discontent seems to continue.
The strict security measures imposed on the occasion of the meeting of the ruling party and the restrictions imposed once morest the coronavirus have raised outrage at iInternet 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.
The rare and dramatic protest criticizing the president also provoked a huntgo online to identify its authorwhose action has generated praise and tributes.
“A hero”
The protester climbed onto the Sitong Bridge in Haidian District on Thursday, and hung up two large banners calling for an end to China’s zero covid policy and the Xi’s overthrow.
The person also set fire to what appeared to be car tires, and might be heard chanting slogans into a loudspeaker.
While the state media has remained silent, photos and videos of the event have been widely circulated on the internet, prompting a swift intervention by law enforcement officials. censor that kind of content on social media platforms and the WeChat app used by most Chinese.
Many have praised the lone protester’s actions, calling him a “hero” and referring to him as the “new tank man,” a reference to the Chinese who stood in front of tanks during the 1989 Tiananmen protests.
like gunpowder
One of the posters read: “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.” . No are slaves, are citizens“.
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 and a man might 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.
Protests or expressions of discontent once morest the Chinese authorities are extremely rare, especially around the time of the biggest political event such as the Communist Party congress.
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 once morest the use of social networks that circumvent the controls, to prevent the dissemination of information that get out of control of the Communist Party.
Beijing is experiencing these days a huge security deployment due to the XX congress of the Communist Party, in which Xi is expected to be re-elected for the second consecutive time.
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 the Beijing.
Beijing residents are being forced to undergo coronavirus screening tests every three days and are also checked when entering any building, measures that have caused discomfort among citizens.
Others who managed to return to Beijing saw a similar change in their health codes days following 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 regarding 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 protest comes amid growing weariness among ordinary Chinese with the “Covid Zero” strategy, which has involved harsh lockdowns and quarantines, when other countries have eased them.
The authorities of the Communist Party have displayed exhibitions where citizens are urged to take the measures once morest covid-19, despite the inconvenience they cause.
Several recent incidents, such as a bus accident in which 27 people died while being transferred to quarantine camps, have provoked the anger of the population.
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.
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.”
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