China beefs up security after protests against Covid-19 curbs

Big cities in China beefed their security in the wake of nationwide rallies calling for political freedom and an end to Covid-19 lockdowns. The country's leadership faced a weekend of protests not seen in decades as anger over unrelenting lockdowns fuelled deep-rooted frustration with its political system.

China's major cities of Beijing and Shanghai were blanketed with security on November 29 in the wake of nationwide rallies calling for political freedoms and an end to Covid-19 lockdowns. Credit: AFP Photo

The country's leadership faced a weekend of protests not seen in decades as anger over unrelenting lockdowns fuelled deep-rooted frustration with its political system. Credit: AFP Photo

A deadly fire last week in Urumqi, the capital of the northwestern region of Xinjiang, was the catalyst for the wave of outrage, with protesters taking to the streets in cities around China. Credit: Reuters Photo

The demonstrators said Covid-19 restrictions were to blame for hampering rescue efforts. Credit: AFP Photo

Anger over lockdowns has led to calls for political change, with protesters holding up blank sheets of paper to symbolise the censorship to which the world's most populous country is subjected. Credit: AFP Photo

More protests had been planned but did not materialise as cities like Beijing and Shanghai noted a heavy police presence of hundreds of vehicles and officers on the streets. Credit: AFP Photo

Small clusters of officers were deployed to metro exits near the protest site. Credit: AP/PTI Photo

Frustration with the zero-Covid policy remained palpable despite the overwhelming police deployment. Credit: AFP Photo

There are signs that some local authorities are taking steps to relax some of the rules and dampen the unrest -- and that authorities may be seeking a path out of the rigid policy. Credit: AP/PTI Photo