As countrywide infections are increasing, COVID-19 lockdowns around the nation caused unusual demonstrations in Beijing and China’s far western Xinjiang region, mostly populated by Uyghurs.
According to videos shared on Chinese social media on Friday, crowds gathered in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, chanting “end the lockdown!”. A deadly fire on Thursday sparked resentment over the protracted COVID-19 lockdown.
In Beijing, residents staged small demonstrations or confronted local officials about the restrictions placed on their freedom of movement; some of them were successful in getting the restrictions lifted earlier than expected.
A high-rise building fire in Urumqi, on Thursday night that claimed 10 lives, was a significant catalyst for the uprising.
The nation reported Friday 34,909 daily local cases. The figure which is considered a low number by international standards is the third consecutive record in China.