Rare protests broke out in China’s far western Xinjiang region, with crowds shouting at hazmat-suited guards after a deadly fire triggered anger over their prolonged COVID-19 lockdown as nationwide…
. Rights groups and Western governments have long accused Beijing of abuses against the mainly Muslim ethnic minority, including forced labor in internment camps. China strongly rejects such claims.Authorities have said the building’s residents had been able to go downstairs, but videos of emergency crews’ efforts, shared on Chinese social media, led many internet users to surmise that residents could not escape in time because the building was partially locked down.
Users on China’s Weibo platform described the incident as a tragedy that sprang out of China’s insistence on sticking to its zero-COVID policy and something that could happen to anyone. Some lamented its similarities to the deadly SeptemberThe protests are in response to the serious lockdowns imposed on the city after a record number of COVID cases.
While the country recently tweaked its measures, shortening quarantines and taking other targeted steps, this coupled with rising cases has caused widespread confusion and uncertainty in big cities, including Beijing, where many residents are locked down at home.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Huge COVID protests erupt in China's Xinjiang after deadly fireRare protests broke out in China’s far western Xinjiang region, with crowds shouting at hazmat-suited guards after a deadly fire triggered anger over their prolonged COVID-19 lockdown as nationwide infections set another record.
Read more »
China Xinjiang: Urumqi rocked by Covid lockdown protests after deadly fireUrumqi residents confronted officials amid claims Covid restrictions stopped people escaping a blaze.
Read more »
Deadly Xinjiang fire stokes discontent at China’s harsh covid restrictionsVideos show firetrucks parked at a distance from the blaze in Urumqi, leading to questions about whether China's coronavirus restrictions worsened the tragedy.
Read more »
Deadly fire in Xinjiang stirs anger over China's zero-Covid policyA fire that killed 10 and injured 9 in China's northwest Xinjiang region has spurred an outpouring of anger at the country's zero-Covid policy, with online users blaming the strict measures for hampering rescue attempts
Read more »
China’s Xinjiang Region Has Been Locked Down for Months, Casting Shadow Over Zero-Covid EasingLocal governments in the region have described the lockdowns as temporary and targeted, but accounts from residents and travelers suggest they have been widespread.
Read more »
After a year, omicron still driving COVID surges and worriesNationally, new COVID cases averaged around 39,300 a day as of Tuesday, far lower than last winter but a vast undercount because of reduced testing and reporting.
Read more »