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China, with its booming economy and status as a global superpower, has long been associated with a sense of order and control. Yet, beneath the surface of rapid development and political consolidation, the country has seen an upsurge in protests and civil unrest that is as multifaceted as it is concerning. While the external challenges, like the ongoing trade war with the United States under former President Donald Trump, have dominated international headlines, there is a far more complex situation brewing within China’s borders. The protests taking place across the country have become a focal point of dissatisfaction, giving rise to questions about what exactly the Chinese people are protesting, and why this discontent is becoming increasingly difficult to suppress.
1. China Has a Bigger Problem at Home Than Trump Tariffs
It’s easy to assume that the primary concern for China would be the trade war with the United States, which has hurt various sectors of the economy, from agriculture to technology. However, recent events suggest that China’s internal problems could be just as, if not more, severe than the economic fallout of the tariff dispute. Since late 2022, China has seen a marked rise in protests, many of which are fueled by broader socio-political and economic issues. The protests encompass everything from calls for political reform to grievances over the country’s rigid COVID-19 restrictions, economic stagnation, and growing social inequality.
In fact, the global trade tensions between the U.S. and China, while significant, are often cited as just one of many contributing factors to the frustration and dissatisfaction bubbling among the Chinese public. Economic slowdowns, a declining job market, housing crises, and severe restrictions on freedoms have compounded these frustrations. Many Chinese citizens feel that the government’s priorities are misaligned with the needs of the population, fueling an underlying tension that has recently erupted in protest.
2. China Protests: Why Are There Demonstrations and What Is the Cause of Dissent?
To understand why people are protesting, it’s crucial to look at the key issues driving the unrest. These protests are not isolated incidents but rather part of a wider spectrum of issues related to government policies and their impact on ordinary citizens. Among the most significant factors driving protests are:
# a) The Zero-COVID Policy and Lockdown Protests
Perhaps the most visible protests in China have been the "Zero-COVID" lockdown demonstrations. In late 2022, as the country grappled with the surging Omicron variant, the government enforced stringent COVID-19 lockdown measures that heavily restricted movement, imposed mass quarantines, and shut down businesses and schools. These measures were draconian, particularly in the major cities like Shanghai and Beijing, where citizens faced months of confinement with limited access to food and medical supplies.
The protests against the lockdowns began in November 2022 in response to a deadly fire in Urumqi, Xinjiang, where victims were allegedly unable to escape their apartment building because of lockdown restrictions. This tragic event sparked nationwide protests, with people calling for an end to the oppressive COVID-19 policies, better living conditions, and greater personal freedom. Demonstrators chanted slogans such as "Freedom, Freedom" and "Down with the Communist Party," which, although rare, reflected the level of discontent with the government's handling of the crisis.
Despite the Chinese government’s initial attempts to suppress the protests, they served as a crucial turning point, forcing the government to reverse its harsh zero-COVID policies by early 2023.
# b) The White Paper Movement
In response to the lockdown protests, a movement known as the "White Paper Movement" emerged. The name of the movement comes from the symbolic act of holding blank sheets of white paper during protests as a form of silent dissent, a reference to the government’s censorship of free speech and the limited space for public expression. This act of holding up blank paper was a powerful visual statement, signaling the government’s suppression of free speech and human rights in China.
The White Paper Movement was not solely about COVID-19 restrictions. It also reflected broader concerns about the state of political freedoms in China, the crackdown on dissent, and the increasing surveillance state. The protesters were calling for more open discussions about governance, as well as for an end to censorship and repression.
3. The Protesters Who’ve Gone Missing as China Deepens its Crackdown
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what are people in china protesting - China’s White Paper Movement: One year on, six