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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

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/29/china-police-move-to-deter-zero-covid-demonstrations-and-trace-protesters

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

https://news.sky.com/story/china-protests-paused-as-police-flood-streets-and-temperatures-drop-below-freezing-12757770

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

https://www.politico.eu/article/are-chinas-lockdown-protests-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-xi-jinping/

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?

  1. Apartment fire
  2. Inflation
  3. Air Quality
  4. 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.

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