China’s disgusting internet censors moved quickly to scrub social media posts Thursday after reports that banners criticizing the Communist leadership were hung from a busy intersection in the capital Beijing.
“Let us strike from schools and from work and remove the dictatorial traitor Xi Jinping,” one of the slogans read.
We want food, not COVID tests; reform, not Cultural Revolution. We want freedom, not lockdowns; elections, not rulers. We want dignity, not lies. Be citizens, not slaves.” The banner at right read: “Boycott classes. Boycott work. Depose the traitorous despot Xi Jinping.” as China’s Xi appears to have unprecedented 3rd term in his grasp.
Images on Twitter showed smoke spiraling up from a fire on an elevated roadway and the banners calling for an end to the extreme “zero-COVID” policy and the overthrow of Communist Party leader and President Xi Jinping. The images were of course blocked on Twitter by the Chinese government.
China’s zero-COVID policy, which has led to frequent lockdowns and caused heavy economic damage, has fueled widespread frustration in Chinese cities.
The Chinese government also censored “Beijing”, “the brave one”, “bridge”, “salute” and “hero” from the internet. Chinese citizens who indulge in the censored topics were banned on social media platforms. Sound familiar?
There were no banners hanging from the roadway later in the day, but a circular black scar was visible on the shoulder area where the fire would have been.
The unknown protester has not yet been identified.
Dozens of police milled about the area, entering stores. At times, they stopped pedestrians and questioned them. Associated Press journalists were questioned three times and asked to produce identification. But of course police denied anything unusual had happened in the area.
Political protests are rare in China due to the CCP’s extreme punishments to those who do not comply with their abuse. Yet in 2022 they have become more common. Just recently a banking scandal resulting in Chinese citizens losing their savings accounts with no explanation caused thousands to protest.
