An online video depicts things being thrown toward riot police in all-white pandemic gear while they move in formation over torn-down lockdown walls. A second film depicts a tear gas canister falling in the center of a throng.
Crowds in a major Chinese city have clashed with white hazmat-suited riot police, as the largest anti-government demonstrations in decades continue over strict zero-COVID regulations, as evidenced by social media footage.
According to online reports, the violence occurred in Guangzhou on Tuesday night.
Objects can be seen flying at dozens of riot police clad in all-white military gear and carrying shields as they move in formation over what look to be torn lockdown walls in a Twitter video.
Later, police are seen transporting a group of handcuffed individuals to an undisclosed location.
A third clip depicts a tear gas canister landing in the center of a small gathering on a tight roadway, with people fleeing away to avoid the vapors.
The Reuters news agency has confirmed that the films were shot in Guangzhou’s Haizhu district, where violent COVID-related violence occurred two weeks ago, but it is unknown when the footage was captured.
The protests follow a wave of demonstrations that occurred over the weekend in Shanghai, Beijing, and other cities.
As a result of COVID lockdowns and limitations, protests have erupted across the nation, an unusual occurrence in China.
In recent weeks, the number of daily coronavirus infections has reached record highs, yet the country’s caseload has remained tiny by international standards.
Some argue that the stringent regulations are stifling the economy and are becoming increasingly out of step with the rest of the globe.
In locations where positive coronavirus cases or their close contacts have been found, millions of residents have been restricted to their homes, subjected to mass testing programs, and endured unexpected lockdowns.
Guangzhou is a huge port city north of Hong Kong in Guangdong province, where officials stated late last night they would allow close contacts of COVID cases to quarantine at home instead of being forced to go to shelters. Guangzhou is home to many migrant manufacturing workers.
In the central city of Zhengzhou, where there have been conflicts at a massive Foxconn factory producing iPhones and an exodus of workers unhappy by COVID restrictions, officials have announced the “orderly” reopening of supermarkets, gyms, and restaurants.
Nonetheless, authorities also announced a lengthy list of buildings that would stay on a lockdown.
In a statement that did not mention the protests, the nation’s highest security council called for a crackdown on “hostile elements.”
Additionally, the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission stated that “illegal and criminal acts that disrupt social order” will not be permitted.
National health officials stated on Tuesday that China would address “urgent concerns” made by the public and that COVID regulations should be handled more flexibly by the severity of outbreaks in each location.
Although the relaxing of some measures appears to be an attempt to pacify the population, the government has also begun to target demonstrators.
A resident of Beijing who did not wish to be identified told Reuters on Wednesday, “Police came to my door to question me about everything and have me fill out a report.”
A second individual reported that acquaintances who shared recordings of protests on social media were hauled to a police station and required to sign an oath stating they “would not do that again.”
