After series of mass protests, COVID-19 curbs are being relaxed in few parts of China. Businesses were reopened and testing requirements were also eased.

China eases zero Covid curbs after mass protests

<p>Covid 19 outbreak in China has sparked rare anti-governmental protests in the country. Authorities are rushing to censor the massive outpour of dissenting content on social media as people rise up in arms against China’s draconian Zero Covid approach. China on Tuesday recorded 38,645 cases, after China registered a record daily high of 40,347 cases the previous day. The outbreak has forced the Chinese government to resort to imposing strict lockdown measures in cities including Shanghai and Beijing, prompting people to hit the streets. By Sunday, Chinese students also joined the anti-Covid protests, who held demonstrations on university campuses. Protests also spread to Chengdu, Guangzhou and Wuhan, where residents called for not only an end to Covid restrictions.</p>

<h2><strong>How bad is the Covid situation in China?</strong></h2>

<p>When the world is looking ready to bidding adieu to the Covid pandemic, China seems to sidestepping the trend here as the country has set a new daily high of Covid cases this week only. China relied too much on its mass testing and quarantine policy, which helped it suppress the pandemic in the beginning but is backfiring now.</p>

<p>A deadly fire on Thursday in Urumqi became a fresh catalyst for public anger, with many blaming Covid lockdowns for stymieing rescue efforts. At least 10 people were killed in the incident, forcing people to go all out against the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese government. People in Shanghai were also seen chanting slogans against Chinese President Xi Jinping.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-covid-country-reports-39791-new-infections-rise-despite-zero-covid-policy-537827">China Covid: Country reports 39,791 new infections; rise despite zero-Covid policy</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Why is the Covid pandemic going out of control in China</strong></h2>

<p>It’s mainly because of poor vaccines. China didn’t import vaccines from other nations and kept using its own vaccines with low efficacy. Despite the obvious political difficulties in admitting the shortcomings of its domestic vaccines, many infectious disease experts believe China should now import the mRNA vaccines produced by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna.</p>

<p>Fatigue and doubt about vaccines are additional factors. Prof. Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh, claims in a piece for the Guardian that statistics show only about 40% of people over 80 have received a booster shot, and millions of people are still unvaccinated. Zero Covid policy ensured that people remain unexposed to the Coronavirus, thus not allowing them natural immunity. People who were inoculated with poor Chinese vaccines in the beginning also seem to have lost their immunity to the deadly virus. So, a lot of people are now catching the disease. The government is resorting to using tried and tested Zero Covid policy to check the transmission but people seem to be in no mood to follow the CCP’s diktats.</p>

<h2><strong>2 million lives at risk in China?</strong></h2>

<p>Given China’s low vaccination rates and lack of natural immunity among its population, up to two million people could be pushed on the verge of losing their lives if the Zero Covid Policy is abandoned. According to recent data, China squandered the opportunity to build Intensive Care Units during the long periods of lockdowns. Taiwan has almost 30 critical care beds per 100,000 residents, South Korea and Thailand have more than 10, and China only has less than five.</p>


Covid 19 outbreak in China has sparked rare anti-governmental protests in the country. Authorities are rushing to censor the massive outpour of dissenting content on social media as people rise up in arms against China’s draconian Zero Covid approach.

Covid 19 outbreak in China has sparked rare anti-governmental protests in the country. Authorities are rushing to censor the massive outpour of dissenting content on social media as people rise up in arms against China’s draconian Zero Covid approach. China on Tuesday recorded 38,645 cases, after China registered a record daily high of 40,347 cases the previous day. The outbreak has forced the Chinese government to resort to imposing strict lockdown measures in cities including Shanghai and Beijing, prompting people to hit the streets. By Sunday, Chinese students also joined the anti-Covid protests, who held demonstrations on university campuses. Protests also spread to Chengdu, Guangzhou and Wuhan, where residents called for not only an end to Covid restrictions. How bad is the Covid situation in China? When the world is looking ready to bidding adieu to the Covid pandemic, China seems to sidestepping the trend here as the country has set a new daily high of Covid cases this week only. China relied too much on its mass testing and quarantine policy, which helped it suppress the pandemic in the beginning but is backfiring now. A deadly fire on Thursday in Urumqi became a fresh catalyst for public anger, with many blaming Covid lockdowns for stymieing rescue efforts. At least 10 people were killed in the incident, forcing people to go all out against the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese government. People in Shanghai were also seen chanting slogans against Chinese President Xi Jinping. Also Read | China Covid: Country reports 39,791 new infections; rise despite zero-Covid policy Why is the Covid pandemic going out of control in China It’s mainly because of poor vaccines. China didn’t import vaccines from other nations and kept using its own vaccines with low efficacy. Despite the obvious political difficulties in admitting the shortcomings of its domestic vaccines, many infectious disease experts believe China should now import the mRNA vaccines produced by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna. Fatigue and doubt about vaccines are additional factors. Prof. Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh, claims in a piece for the Guardian that statistics show only about 40% of people over 80 have received a booster shot, and millions of people are still unvaccinated. Zero Covid policy ensured that people remain unexposed to the Coronavirus, thus not allowing them natural immunity. People who were inoculated with poor Chinese vaccines in the beginning also seem to have lost their immunity to the deadly virus. So, a lot of people are now catching the disease. The government is resorting to using tried and tested Zero Covid policy to check the transmission but people seem to be in no mood to follow the CCP’s diktats. 2 million lives at risk in China? Given China’s low vaccination rates and lack of natural immunity among its population, up to two million people could be pushed on the verge of losing their lives if the Zero Covid Policy is abandoned. According to recent data, China squandered the opportunity to build Intensive Care Units during the long periods of lockdowns. Taiwan has almost 30 critical care beds per 100,000 residents, South Korea and Thailand have more than 10, and China only has less than five.

Why  is Covid situation so bad in China? Know why 2 million lives are in danger

<p>Hundreds across China took to the streets on Sunday protesting against the nation's stringent Zero-Covid policy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the wake of a deadly fire that many have chalked up to the two-plus year of strict lockdowns, the "rare outpouring" of anger took place across major Chinese cities.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;WION Fineprint | China: Anger mounts over Zero-Covid policy, protests break out in Beijing, Shanghai</strong></p>

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<p>As per Reuters, in Shanghai demonstrators and police clashed as protests continued for the third day.</p>

<p>Witnesses and videos posted on social media show one large group chanting "Down with the Chinese Communist Party, down with Xi Jinping" in an unusual public protest against the government.</p>

<p>Unverified videos on Twitter and other social media platforms show people chanting "End the lockdown!"</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-stringent-zero-covid-policy-sparks-protests-across-the-country-537832">China’s stringent ‘zero-Covid’ curbs trigger outrage, protests across the country</a></strong></p>

<p>The Hong Kong Democracy Council took to Twitter in support&nbsp;of the protestors and wrote "#HongKongers are closely following the protests in #China &amp; salute the brave Chinese who’ve come out. #DownWithXiJinping #DownWithTheCCP. We agree. The fate of #HongKong is bound up with the fate of China."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HongKongers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HongKongers</a> are closely following the protests in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#China</a> &amp; salute the brave Chinese who’ve come out. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownWithXiJinping?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownWithXiJinping</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DownWithTheCCP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DownWithTheCCP</a>. We agree. The fate of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HongKong?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HongKong</a> is bound up with the fate of China. <a href="https://t.co/c0vgaMmu6o">pic.twitter.com/c0vgaMmu6o</a></p>
— Hong Kong Democracy Council (@hkdc_us) <a href="https://twitter.com/hkdc_us/status/1596889740766478336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hundreds of people looking like students, workers gathered in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chaoyang?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chaoyang</a> district where all embassies are located- continuing the protest which has already gripped many cities and universities across <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#China</a>. Heavy police presence with reinforcements coming quickly<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChinaProtests?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChinaProtests</a> <a href="https://t.co/88OGKRcrLn">pic.twitter.com/88OGKRcrLn</a></p>
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) <a href="https://twitter.com/airnewsalerts/status/1596891380860981255?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Similar videos from Chengdu show people holding up blank sheets of paper in protest and chanting "We don't want lifelong rulers. We don't want emperors," a reference to Xi, who has scrapped presidential term limits.</p>

<p><strong>Also read&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-after-deadly-fire-that-killed-10-huge-covid-protests-erupt-in-xinjiang-537661">China: Huge protests erupt in Xinjiang, locals blame strict Covid curbs for 10 casualties in blaze</a></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Protests in China are gaining momentum, what do you think will turn into a bigger rebellion?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#China</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChinaProtests?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChinaProtests</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChinaUprising?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChinaUprising</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChinaUprisingThread?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChinaUprisingThread</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChinaRevolution?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChinaRevolution</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVIDIsAirborne?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVIDIsAirborne</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CovidIsNotOver?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CovidIsNotOver</a> <a href="https://t.co/LIRIQcJKvf">pic.twitter.com/LIRIQcJKvf</a></p>
— Dealer of truth (@Dealeroftruth12) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dealeroftruth12/status/1596889459601334274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Residents of Wuhan, where the pandemic began three years ago, also took to the streets, smashing through metal barricades, tearing down COVID testing tents, and demanding that lockdowns be lifted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Protests in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wuhan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Wuhan</a> too.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#China</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/chinalockdown?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#chinalockdown</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChinaUprising?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChinaUprising</a> <a href="https://t.co/WGZGPWCVXC">pic.twitter.com/WGZGPWCVXC</a></p>
— Kalsang Jigme བོད། (@kalsang_jigme) <a href="https://twitter.com/kalsang_jigme/status/1596889678174912517?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>In Lanzhou, in the northwest, residents on Saturday toppled COVID staff tents and destroyed testing stations, according to posts on social media. Although none had tested positive, as per a Reuters&nbsp;report protesters claimed that they were still placed under lockdown.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🇨🇳 — VIDEO: Protesters tear down barricades in Wuhan, as anti-lockdown protests spread to more cities in China.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://t.co/6cVNLrI02K">pic.twitter.com/6cVNLrI02K</a></p>
— Belaaz News (@TheBelaaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheBelaaz/status/1596891281367916544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile, images and videos shared on social media show that on Sunday, scores of individuals participated in a nonviolent demonstration against COVID restrictions at Beijing's esteemed Tsinghua University while singing the national anthem.</p>

<p>Widespread public protest is uncommon in China, where dissent has been largely suppressed under Xi, forcing citizens to vent their rage on social media, where they must play cat-and-mouse with censors.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="ja">中国湖南省長沙市の五一広場駅での中国人の抗議<br />
信じられない、<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E4%BA%BA%E9%96%93%E3%81%AE%E9%8E%96?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#人間の鎖</a> じゃないか　<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HumanChain?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HumanChain</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E4%BA%BA%E7%9A%84%E9%8E%96%E9%8F%88?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#人的鎖鏈</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/chinaprotest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#chinaprotest</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChinaUprising?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChinaUprising</a> <a href="https://t.co/n9rowov2uP">pic.twitter.com/n9rowov2uP</a></p>
— NoMania_ 卍解 🇯🇵🏴 (@NoMania004) <a href="https://twitter.com/NoMania004/status/1596891424582438912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Despite the fact that much of the rest of the world has eased most restrictions, China has maintained Xi's zero-COVID policy. China's case counts had reached record highs for days, although being low by international standards; on Saturday, there were approximately 40,000 new infections, which led to yet another round of lockdowns in various locations across the nation.</p>

<p>Beijing has defended the measure as important to save lives and as a safeguard against overtaxing the healthcare system. Officials however have vowed to keep&nbsp;up the restrictions.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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Hundreds across China took to the streets on Sunday protesting against the nation's stringent Zero-Covid policy. In the wake of a deadly fire that many have chalked up to the two-plus year of strict lockdowns, the "rare outpouring" of anger took place across major Chinese cities.

Hundreds across China took to the streets on Sunday protesting against the nation's stringent Zero-Covid policy. In the wake of a deadly fire that many have chalked up to the two-plus year of strict lockdowns, the "rare outpouring" of anger took place across major Chinese cities. Watch | WION Fineprint | China: Anger mounts over Zero-Covid policy, protests break out in Beijing, Shanghai As per Reuters, in Shanghai demonstrators and police clashed as protests continued for the third day. Witnesses and videos posted on social media show one large group chanting "Down with the Chinese Communist Party, down with Xi Jinping" in an unusual public protest against the government. Unverified videos on Twitter and other social media platforms show people chanting "End the lockdown!" Also read | China’s stringent ‘zero-Covid’ curbs trigger outrage, protests across the country The Hong Kong Democracy Council took to Twitter in support of the protestors and wrote "#HongKongers are closely following the protests in #China & salute the brave Chinese who’ve come out. #DownWithXiJinping #DownWithTheCCP. We agree. The fate of #HongKong is bound up with the fate of China." #HongKongers are closely following the protests in #China & salute the brave Chinese who’ve come out. #DownWithXiJinping #DownWithTheCCP. We agree. The fate of #HongKong is bound up with the fate of China. pic.twitter.com/c0vgaMmu6o — Hong Kong Democracy Council (@hkdc_us) November 27, 2022 × Hundreds of people looking like students, workers gathered in #Chaoyang district where all embassies are located- continuing the protest which has already gripped many cities and universities across #China. Heavy police presence with reinforcements coming quickly#ChinaProtests pic.twitter.com/88OGKRcrLn — All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) November 27, 2022 × Similar videos from Chengdu show people holding up blank sheets of paper in protest and chanting "We don't want lifelong rulers. We don't want emperors," a reference to Xi, who has scrapped presidential term limits. Also read | China: Huge protests erupt in Xinjiang, locals blame strict Covid curbs for 10 casualties in blaze Protests in China are gaining momentum, what do you think will turn into a bigger rebellion?#China #ChinaProtests #ChinaUprising #ChinaUprisingThread #ChinaRevolution #COVID19 #COVIDIsAirborne #CovidIsNotOver pic.twitter.com/LIRIQcJKvf — Dealer of truth (@Dealeroftruth12) November 27, 2022 × Residents of Wuhan, where the pandemic began three years ago, also took to the streets, smashing through metal barricades, tearing down COVID testing tents, and demanding that lockdowns be lifted. Protests in #Wuhan too.#China #chinalockdown #ChinaUprising pic.twitter.com/WGZGPWCVXC — Kalsang Jigme བོད། (@kalsang_jigme) November 27, 2022 × In Lanzhou, in the northwest, residents on Saturday toppled COVID staff tents and destroyed testing stations, according to posts on social media. Although none had tested positive, as per a Reuters report protesters claimed that they were still placed under lockdown. 🇨🇳 — VIDEO: Protesters tear down barricades in Wuhan, as anti-lockdown protests spread to more cities in China. pic.twitter.com/6cVNLrI02K — Belaaz News (@TheBelaaz) November 27, 2022 × Meanwhile, images and videos shared on social media show that on Sunday, scores of individuals participated in a nonviolent demonstration against COVID restrictions at Beijing's esteemed Tsinghua University while singing the national anthem. Widespread public protest is uncommon in China, where dissent has been largely suppressed under Xi, forcing citizens to vent their rage on social media, where they must play cat-and-mouse with censors. 中国湖南省長沙市の五一広場駅での中国人の抗議 信じられない、#人間の鎖 じゃないか　#HumanChain #人的鎖鏈#chinaprotest #ChinaUprising pic.twitter.com/n9rowov2uP — NoMania_ 卍解 🇯🇵🏴 (@NoMania004) November 27, 2022 × Despite the fact that much of the rest of the world has eased most restrictions, China has maintained Xi's zero-COVID policy. China's case counts had reached record highs for days, although being low by international standards; on Saturday, there were approximately 40,000 new infections, which led to yet another round of lockdowns in various locations across the nation. Beijing has defended the measure as important to save lives and as a safeguard against overtaxing the healthcare system. Officials however have vowed to keep up the restrictions. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China's 'rare outpouring' of anger: Protesters chant 'down with Xi', break Covid testing tents. Watch!

<p>China's "bridge man" who had put banners on the Sitong bridge on Beijing's Third Ring before the 20th Party Congress had kicked off a wave of dissenting voices calling for the removal of Chinese President Xi Jinping.&nbsp;China's online censorship is well known, however, Apple's AirDrop feature on its iPhones provided a loophole to the Chinese to bypass these censorships.&nbsp;</p>

<p>AirDrop allows the quick exchange of files like images, documents, or videos between Apple devices. This feature was extensively used by dissenting voices in China to oppose Xi's government.&nbsp;People used the AirDrop feature to spread messages which condemned the Chinese Communist party in crowded public spaces.&nbsp;</p>

<p>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="wionews.com/world/rare-protests-featuring-slogans-against-xi-jinping-spread-across-china-526426">Rare protests featuring slogans against Xi Jinping spread across the world</a></p>

<p>Under the new update of the AirDrop function which rolled out on Thursday, iPhone owners in China now get only a 10-minute cap on receiving files from "everyone". They will also get an option to choose whether they want to receive files from everyone, no one, or only from their contacts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/spyware-targets-uyghurs-masquerading-as-various-android-apps-report-533206">Spyware targets Uyghurs ‘masquerading’ as various Android apps – report</a></p>

<p>Previously there was no bar on the time duration for receiving files. As per the new update, now once the 10 minutes window cap expires, the iPhone user will only be able to receive the files from his own contact book.&nbsp;</p>

<p>WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/asean-summit-2022-dispute-in-south-china-sea-on-agenda-533218">ASEAN Summit 2022: Dispute in South China Sea on agenda</a></p>

<p>Apple did not issue any statement clarifying why the changes were introduced only in China. Apple, however, said that it plans to roll out the new AirDrop setting globally next year. As per the company, these updates will help Apple to mitigate unwanted file sharing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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China's "bridge man" who had put banners on the Sitong bridge on Beijing's Third Ring before the 20th Party Congress had kicked off a wave of dissenting voices calling for the removal of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China's "bridge man" who had put banners on the Sitong bridge on Beijing's Third Ring before the 20th Party Congress had kicked off a wave of dissenting voices calling for the removal of Chinese President Xi Jinping. China's online censorship is well known, however, Apple's AirDrop feature on its iPhones provided a loophole to the Chinese to bypass these censorships. AirDrop allows the quick exchange of files like images, documents, or videos between Apple devices. This feature was extensively used by dissenting voices in China to oppose Xi's government. People used the AirDrop feature to spread messages which condemned the Chinese Communist party in crowded public spaces. ALSO READ | Rare protests featuring slogans against Xi Jinping spread across the world Under the new update of the AirDrop function which rolled out on Thursday, iPhone owners in China now get only a 10-minute cap on receiving files from "everyone". They will also get an option to choose whether they want to receive files from everyone, no one, or only from their contacts. ALSO READ | Spyware targets Uyghurs ‘masquerading’ as various Android apps – report Previously there was no bar on the time duration for receiving files. As per the new update, now once the 10 minutes window cap expires, the iPhone user will only be able to receive the files from his own contact book. WATCH | ASEAN Summit 2022: Dispute in South China Sea on agenda Apple did not issue any statement clarifying why the changes were introduced only in China. Apple, however, said that it plans to roll out the new AirDrop setting globally next year. As per the company, these updates will help Apple to mitigate unwanted file sharing. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Apple tweaks AirDrop feature on iPhones in China after "bridge man" protests against Xi Jinping

This protest has occurred within the context of Chinese President Xi Jinping being criticised around the world for a dictatorial style of working.

Activists from Japan, Taiwan, Tibet unite against Chinese President Xi Jinping