China’s zero-Covid strategy: causes for recent public protests in Chinese cities

For three years now, China has applied strict and draconian measures to counter the spread of the Covid-19 virus in its cities. While in many countries around the world, protests followed at the very beginning of the pandemic with people demonstrating against lockdowns and curfews followed by anti-mask and anti-vaccine movements, in China large protests related to Covid-19 have only started now; and after the death of people, which may be an indirect cause. Since 1989, with the Tiananmen Square event, protests are quasi inexistent in China as they are repressed by the government and its public security bureau. Often times, protests’ leaders are jailed, repressed and at times disappear as no information is known about their whereabouts. While in 2011, villagers in Wukan to protect their land rights organised themselves to protest against local political leaders wanting to use their land, demonstrations in major cities to express one’s disagreement towards political decisions did not occur much for fear of severe repression and disappearances.

It is important to note that while they are spreading to more cities across China, current anti-lockdown protests have political ramifications and indirect consequences as many protesters are calling for the resignation of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its leaders in power. At the beginning of the protests, a tweet went viral as it was written: “Chinese gathered in large cities and shouted for the resignation of the party.” The account holder expressed disbelief in the call for resignation of the CCP as he/she thought such a call for resignation would not happen for decades to come but it is occurring now; three years into the pandemic with strict Covid-19 lockdown measures. For the first time such a challenge is posed to the Chinese government, as widespread public protest is extremely rare in China. “The wave of civil disobedience is unprecedented in mainland China since President Xi Jinping assumed power a decade ago, as frustration mounts over his signature zero-Covid policy nearly three years into the pandemic.” What was supposed to be sympathy protests for the terrible death of people in Xinjiang has turned into the manifestation of public anger against the Chinese government; which led to political protests. While for a decade now, with most of the discontent of Chinese citizens being censored by controlled and monitored social media platforms which erase comments and expressions of discontent against the CCP, for the first time in a decade since Xi Jinping took power, widespread public protests at the national level have occurred. The ramifications of such protests in China have also been seen abroad as many Chinese citizens expressed concerns about the event which occurred with the death of people in Urumqi, showing sympathy, solidarity and support for the protesters as demands for freedom are claimed. Protesters object to the Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns on people’s rights in the name of virus prevention, and the restrictions on individual freedom and people’s livelihoods. The Covid-19 restrictions have come at the cost of putting millions of Chinese under confinement and lockdown which disrupted people’s lives. To some protesters and observers the demonstrations mean the current zero-Covid-19 policy is no longer sustainable.

As protesters are harassed outside of China’s borders, foreign governments have warned about a campaign which tracks dissidents and those who have opposing views to the Chinese government. Online protests via social media platforms have become quasi not possible as under Xi a high-tech social surveillance system has made protest more difficult and riskier.

Even though China’s zero-Covid strategy has led to public protests in major Chinese cities, it also has impacts for the world economy.