Behind China's White Paper protests

topic:	Political violence
located:	China
editor:	Wincy Ng

To demand change, citizens use their freedom of expression by gathering in the streets and marching for their cause. But this has different consequences in China, where protesters bear the risk of retaliation from the government. Nevertheless, in late November, thousands of Chinese citizens gathered in their cities, holding white papers and chanting slogans that called for the cancellation of the strict COVID-19 measures.

The protests were triggered by the breakout of an apartment fire in Urumqi of Xinjiang, which resulted in ten deaths and nine injuries. The only comparable precedent to the White Paper movement, as these protests have been called, are the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.

People blamed the strict COVID-19 lockdown measures for the casualties in the fire, as the emergency exits were sealed with wires and the rescue efforts were hindered by the precautions. The authorities, on the other hand, cited the residents’ weak awareness of self-rescue measures, which appeased nobody’s anger. Two days after the incident, dissatisfaction spread throughout mainland China, starting with university students in Nanjing, to other cities like Shanghai, Wuhan and even Beijing.

Protesters in Shanghai held white-paper signs in Middle Urumqi Road, offering condolences for the victims of Urumqi and also chanting slogans that oppose the anti-epidemic measures. “Give me liberty, or give me death!” say some, while others demand “No health code anymore!” referring to the contentious health rating that restricts people’s activities based on their COVID status. Many slogans directly focussed on the Chinese leadership, demanding that “Xi Jinping step down,” which is highly risky, as it could lead to an accusation of inciting the subversion of the state government.

On the same day, the street signs in Middle Urumqi Road were removed and the street was blocked from pedestrians. At least three people were taken away by police, while BBC journalist Ed Lawrence was beaten and arrested during the protest. The BBC refute the credibility of the officers’ statements, which claim that they had “arrested him for his own good in case he caught Covid from the crowd."

Chinese authorities are now strengthening supervision, monitoring people's mobile phones to find out if they have joined protests. There are sources claiming a female student who held white paper has been arrested, and a Twitter user, who posted many related videos during the protest, has claimed that his parents have been under investigation.

On 7 December, the Chinese authorities announced they would lift several of the most drastic Zero-Covid policies: for example, people with only mild or no symptoms can now isolate at home, rather than being taken to state-run isolation facilities. Daily life can resume more freely, as people will no longer be required to show their COVID status for certain venues or to travel around the country. The major lockdowns that shutdown entire cities will be more targeted, affecting only certain buildings or floors.

Nevertheless, it is the time for authorities to listen to the people's voice. The White Paper Movement shows their resentment with the government’s abuses of their freedom of expression and right to live in peace. Now authorities must work to rebuild the public’s confidence in the State, not only by relaxing the pandemic restrictions promptly, but also by putting people first in their policies.

Photo by Li Lin

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