Over 200 people protest against free speech restrictions in central Beijing
16:59 JST, November 28, 2022
As protests against the Chinese government’s zero-COVID policy are taking place in various parts of China, central Beijing saw a highly unusual gathering condemning the communist regime’s suppression of free speech.
More than 200 residents gathered in the Chaoyang district of Beijing from Sunday night to early Monday morning, chanting: “We don’t want a blockade. We want freedom.” The district where the demonstration took place contains many foreign embassies.
Participants mourned the victims of an apartment fire on Thursday in Urumqi in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, which reportedly caused widespread harm because people were unable to escape due to quarantine fences.
Participants held pieces of white paper, a symbol of protest, along the main street and demanded the release of people who had been detained for joining protests in various areas. They called for freedom of speech and freedom of the press, and sang the Chinese national anthem, which begins with the call, “Stand up, you who refuse to be slaves.”
Information about the protest in Beijing spread through social media, and vehicles passing by honked their horns in sympathy. More than 50 police officers were at the scene.
An 18-year-old high school student who participated said: “I can’t stand the frequent demands for PCR tests. We need a scientific quarantine policy. I don’t want to obey [the authorities].”
"World" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Japan-S. Korea Exchange Festival Held in Seoul
-
Historic Change as Britain Closes Last Coal-Fired Power Plant; Transition to Clean Energy Vital for Economy, Human Health
-
G7 Leaders Condemn Iran’s Attack against Israel
-
Ex-DPRK Diplomat Criticizes Pyongyang Over Nuclear Program; Defector Says North Koreans Resent Leader’s Luxurious Life
-
China Indicates Opposition Toward Ishiba’s Recent Visit to Taiwan, Expresses Relief at Takaichi’s Loss
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Harris Widens Lead over Trump to 47%-40%, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds
- Japan-S. Korea Exchange Festival Held in Seoul
- Japan Trying to Draw Digital Nomads, Who Are Seen as Beneficial to Economy, Society
- JICA Employee Suspected of Leaking Info on ODA Project in Manila; Bidding for Railway Renovation May Have Been Impacted
- Asukayama Monorail in Tokyo: Free to Ride!