Protests Sweep Across China in Response to Lockdown
In more than a dozen cities across China protests have occurred in response to the government’s zero-Covid policy. While demonstrations are not unheard of in China, they are exceedingly rare, and typically isolated in nature and involve local issues. What separates this most recent outcry of public dissent from previous ones is how widespread they are and how they center on the central government and President Xi Jinping. With thousands of people taking to the streets to voice opposition about a lack of freedom – this represents the biggest challenge to the authoritarian regime in decades.
What is happening in China?
INSTRUCTORS: click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.
Videos
News Articles
China’s lockdown protests: What you need to know
CNN
November 29, 2022
https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/28/china/china-lockdown-protests-covid-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html
China police move to deter zero-Covid demonstrations and trace protesters
THE GUARDIAN
November 29, 2022
Top Chinese security body calls for ‘crackdown’ after protests
ALJAZEERA
November 29, 2022
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/29/top-china-security-body-calls-for-crackdown-after-protests
China protests paused as police flood streets and temperatures drop below freezing
SKY NEWS
November 29, 2022
News Articles (Analyses)
China Covid protests: Fury and fear of virus puts Xi Jinping in a bind
BBC NEWS
November 28, 2022
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-63779250
China protests add to uncertainty for investors
FINANCIAL TIMES
November 28, 2022
https://www.ft.com/content/904910b5-07f6-49c7-a8d8-4d7def82f43c
China’s lockdown protests and rising COVID leave Xi Jinping with ‘2 bad options’
NPR
November 29, 2022
https://www.npr.org/2022/11/29/1139509250/china-lockdown-protests-xi-jinping-zero-covid-policy
Are China’s lockdown protests the beginning of the end for Xi Jinping?
POLITICO
November 29, 2022
Assessment
Writing: What is the significance of protests in China?
Debate: What are the pros and cons of China’s zero-Covid policy?
Poll: Should the international community do more to support the protesters?
Short Answer: What are the ramifications if President Xi is removed from power?
Quiz
China is facing a record outbreak of new Covid cases. (T/F)
The elderly population in China has high vaccination rates. (T/F)
Mass protests are common in China. (T/F)
What was the catalyst for the recent protests in China?
- Apartment fire
- Inflation
- Air Quality
- Taiwan
China’s zero-Covid policy aims to do what?
a.Develop a vaccine that prevents Covid.
b.Reduce the spread of Covid.
c.Eliminate Covid throughout the world.
d.Increase vaccination rates above herd immunity.
Chinese authorities and law enforcement have used all the following to thwart the demonstrations EXCEPT.
a.Violence.
b.Detention.
c.Execution.
d.Censorship.
