Rare protest banners removed in the Chinese capital

 

The Chinese authorities removed rare banners of political protest from an overpass in Beijing, the capital of China, on Thursday, just days before the start of a twice-in-a-decade Communist Party congress.

According to images circulated widely on social media, the political banners called for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ouster and an end to strict COVID-19 policies across the country.

In the videos and images, smoke could be seen emanating from the roadway where the banners were hung in Beijing’s northwestern Haidian district. The banners read, “We don’t want COVID tests, we want to eat; we don’t want lockdowns, we want to be free.”

The Chinese authorities are currently on high alert in the run-up to the 20th congress of the ruling Communist Party, where President Xi is expected to secure a third leadership term.

China’s zero-COVID policy, which has led to frequent lockdowns in major cities and caused heavy economic damage, has fuelled widespread frustration among residents. Under China’s zero-Covid policy, all Covid positive people have to be hospitalised.

Earlier this year, reports emerged that a toddler was taken away from a parent after testing positive for Covid-19. The parent also wrote on social media, “I’m so upset. This is inhumane.”

Earlier, Human Rights Watch (HRW), the New York-based watchdog, also said that the Chinese government should respect the right to health and other basic rights of its citizens amid the Covid-19 surge in the country.

Reports also emerged that the Chinese authorities forcibly separated small children from their parents after positive Covid-19 tests under the "Zero Covid" policy. The authorities also hindered the discussion of public concerns regarding the Covid-19 restrictions.

Earlier this year, some people also shared stories on social media of their loved ones being denied access to medical care for non-Covid related illnesses because authorities focused more on Covid-positive people.