I have spent the whole night watching videos and reading posts of angry protests in China.
After a horrifying tragedy in Urumqi, a large demonstration broke out in this city. The city has been under inhumane lockdown for more than 100 days.
After a horrifying tragedy in Urumqi, a large demonstration broke out in this city. The city has been under inhumane lockdown for more than 100 days.
All over China, people are shaken by the videos of victims trapped in locked buildings and begging for help. 10 people died, including 2 Uighur children.
Iron lockdown fence and cars parked in the compound made it impossible for the fire engine to enter it.
Iron lockdown fence and cars parked in the compound made it impossible for the fire engine to enter it.
There were also stone blockade stopping vehicles from entering the compound. All fire escapes were welded, and the gate was locked. All in the name of “pandemic control”.
These control measures stopped the residents from escaping the fire.
These control measures stopped the residents from escaping the fire.
An online protest spread all over Chinese social media. People posted videos, music, long and short text to mourn for the victims and demanded the government to be held responsible. Many also demanded an end to the senseless nationwide lockdown.
There are also many videos showing that urban citizens from various Chinese cities confronting the pandemic control staffs and refused to accept lockdown in their compound. Videos and posts from Beijing, Chongqing and Shanghai went viral, but soon deleted by AI censor machine.
Although we have witnessed quite some anti-lockdown protests in the past years, something was different last night.
People have become much more outspoken and demanded freedom, a word demonized in China and seen as politically sensitive.
People have become much more outspoken and demanded freedom, a word demonized in China and seen as politically sensitive.
It is almost certain that all those who led the protests would be dealt with harshly, just like what Chinese government has been doing with mastery.
But if such resistance against the lockdown keep on spreading, it would be also very difficult and costly to be put down.
But if such resistance against the lockdown keep on spreading, it would be also very difficult and costly to be put down.
If the momentum of protests wears out quickly, there is a high chance that Beijing will seek revenge and further strengthen the control on the population. This will hit the economy even harder than the measures already taken.
This winter will be long and hard for Chinese people.
This winter will be long and hard for Chinese people.
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