Frustration as Beijing hit by restrictions ahead of congress
Frustration appears to be mounting in Beijing as the Chinese capital comes under tight security and Covid restrictions ahead of a historic Communist Party congress.
Authorities have tightened access to the city, shutting out many travelers, returning residents, and deliveries.
Others had their movement restricted or were forced to quarantine.
It has sparked an outpouring of anger online. Meanwhile photos of an apparent public protest have circulated.
The images and footage show two large protest banners unfurled on a bridge in Beijing’s north-western Haidian district.
One read: “No Covid test, we want to eat. No restrictions, we want freedom. No lies, we want dignity. No Cultural Revolution, we want reform. No leaders, we want votes. By not being slaves, we can be citizens.”
The other called on residents to “go on strike at school and work, remove dictator and national traitor Xi Jinping”.
Video from the scene showed unexplained thick plumes of smoke on the bridge and a man could be heard chanting slogans into a loudhailer.
The protest appeared to have been swiftly stopped by authorities.
Authorities are cracking down on the use of virtual private networks circumventing China’s firewalls, to restrict access to the internet beyond Communist Party control.
But in a bid to stamp out small Covid outbreaks in Beijing as the congress nears, city authorities are enforcing much stricter measures than most other parts of China.
Agencies