China deploys police in force to prevent protests | DW News

China is witnessing its biggest wave of public dissent in a decade. Chinese universities are now sending students home in a bid to tighten COVID restrictions.

An increased number of Chinese police personnel were seen patrolling the streets of cities like Beijing and Shanghai on Tuesday. The deployment comes as more people called for protests against lockdowns.

The pushback marks the biggest wave of civil disobedience since Chinese President Xi Jinping came to power over a decade ago. Citizens have taken to the streets across China to protest against the draconian COVID curbs which have affected the lives of millions, damaged the economy and disrupted global supply chains.

Protesters are now asking President Xi to step down. Chinese universities are now sending students home in an attempt to tighten COVID restrictions and prevent further protests.

Residents told several media outlets that the police are going through their phones to check for suspicious content, usage of virtual private networks (VPN) or the Telegram app, which is being used to coordinate protests.

In China, using VPNs is illegal and the Telegram app is blocked from the internet.

"We are all desperately deleting our chat history," a protester in Beijing told the Reuters news agency.

"There are just too many police. Police came to check the ID of one of my friends and then took her away. We don't know why. A few hours later they released her."

In Beijing, the police particularly patrolled across the Liangma river promenade near the diplomatic quarter where hundreds of protesters had gathered on Sunday evening.

On Sunday night, a busload of demonstrators were reportedly taken away by the police in Shanghai. On Monday, a planned protest did not take place as dozens of police officers choked the crossroad near the assembly point in the city.

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[Zonker]

Waaaay more than a decade. I'm 56 and even in the 80s with the Tiananmen Square protests, I don't remember them EVER suggesting their leader step down, let alone the Communist Party!

[jinghe]

As a Shanghainese, I couldn’t be more proud of this movement. It actually gives me hope.

[pennyian]

As a Chinese live aboard now I have to salute to those brave people. I know they will face harsh punishment from government, pray for them

[stormevans]

People In China deserve better laws and representation.

[rickwong]

Full support to the Chinese people who fights for freedom. Good luck from Malaysia!

[许小龙-by]

It’s the first time since 1989 that our people stand against the CCP and fight for our own rights

[DF-mogq]

All of a sudden it hits me how the world is cleansing itself as people stand up for their rights. What amazing time of History this is going to be.

[ICARELIFECOM]

After viewing their activity in media, I am so proud of being as a Chinese . I can’t hold my tears when I saw they chanted to demanding freedom of speech.

[JigilJigil]

Just imagine the day China becomes a free democratic country with human rights at it's core value, that day, not just China but the world will be a on different path, we will have a whole different world, respect to all those Chinese who are fighting for freedom of their country.

[game_player]

As a Chinese, I want to integrate into the world, but the Communist Party is the biggest obstacle

[Onullm]

The people got to hit the street by the millions

[CrayCow]

It's important to point out that usually the Chinese respect/fear authority. So for them to be protesting in such large numbers, it shows that they are more than unhappy about the current situation. Something big might be happening in China.

[honorladone]

Rest in peace angels. I'm glad to see the people standing up. Philadelphia USA

[Kittyrush]

This is a good sign that the people of China and Iran are standing up for their freedom and rights.. how about Russia and North Korea? How are you guys? Still afraid? But ain't afraid for the future of their children and grand children?

[CheffyJeffy]

It's not called dissent. It's called enlightenment.

[jiayiyou]

Thank u, HK. As a Chinese, I appreciate all the young people who say 'NO' to such policy. They let me see the hope, although I know that they may be suppressed by the government.

[edmundcg]

Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."

[Remarks on the first anniversary of the Alliance for Progress, 13 March 1962]

John F. Kennedy

[-.l.-]

The less hope there is, the more peace is sought.

[helifanodobezanozi]

"Any state, any entity, any ideology that fails to recognize the worth, the dignity, the rights of man, that state is obsolete." - Rod Serling

[goblinbarfs]

i wish my country would protest like these brave people