Angry Protests Spread Across China as Xi Jinping Faces 'Step Down' Chants

Angry protests are spreading across China with people seen chanting for President Xi Jinping to "step down."

Thousands of disgruntled protestors took to the streets across China amid the government's restrictive zero-COVID policy. Demonstrators were seen in Shanghai, China's largest city, the capital of Beijing and other major centers.

Videos shared on social media showed protestors openly calling for President Xi Jinping and the government to step down as pressure ramps up on the Chinese leader.

In one video shared on Twitter by Jennifer Zeng, protestors reportedly said: "Traitor Xi Jinping. Xi Jinping, step down. Dictatorial government, step down."

China, where COVID-19 originated, has been subject to the Communist Party's strict lockdown policy as it pursues a zero-COVID agenda for more its 1.4 billion citizens.

While a national lockdown is no longer in effect, local authorities close down the area where they detect an outbreak, according to the BBC.

World Health Organization director-general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said earlier this year that he did not think the draconian policy was "sustainable considering the behavior of the virus."

A clip shared byBadiucao, a Chinese artist and anti-government activist, shared a video of at least hundreds of people gathered in Wuhan, the city at the heart of the first outbreak.

In other videos students at the Communication University of China in Nanjing were seen chanting "long live the people."

Social media footage showed a large police presence at the multiple protests as officials sought to stop the gatherings descending into violence.

The Deadly Fire That Sparked Increased Fury

Demonstrators also gathered in Ürümqi, the capital of Xinjiang province, after a deadly fire on November 24 where at least 10 people died.

Residents inside the apartment building were reportedly slowed from leaving the building due to China's strict enforcement of the zero-COVID policy.

According to Reuters, residents in Shanghai gathered at Wulumuqi Road, named after Xinjiang's capital, on Saturday for a candlelight vigil that then turned into a protest early on Sunday.

White Paper Becomes Symbol of Unrest

During the protest, the crowd could be seen holding blank sheets of paper - a protest symbol against the censorship that dominates China.

The news agency said demonstrators chanted: "Down with the Chinese Communist Party, down with Xi Jinping."

Ongoing protests against the government will add more pressure on Xi Jinping who also faced unrest at Foxconn's flagship iPhone plat where thousands of employers resigned.

That protest was also partly fueled by the lockdown restrictions as the plant had been placed under restrictions following an outbreak in October.

Newsweek has contacted Chinese government officials for comment.

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