BEIJING: The rare street protests that erupted in cities across China over the weekend were a referendum against President Xi Jinping's zero-COVID policy and the strongest public defiance during his political career, China analysts said.
Not since the protests of Tiananmen Square in 1989 have so many Chinese risked arrest and other repercussions to take to the streets over a single issue.
"During Xi Jinping’s 10 years in power, these are the most public and most widespread displays of anger by the citizenry against government policy," said Bates Gill, a China expert with Asia Society.
Public dissatisfaction with Xi's zero-COVID policy, expressed on social media or offline in the form of putting up posters in universities or by protesting, is Xi's biggest domestic challenge since the 2019 protests in Hong Kong against an extradition bill.
Xi had claimed personal responsibility for leading the "war" against COVID-19, justified zero-COVID with a need to "put people above everything" and counted his "correct" COVID policy among his political achievements when he sought a precedent-breaking third term at the 20th Communist Party Congress in October.
Nearly three years into the pandemic, China says its policies are not geared towards having zero cases at all times but instead, are about "dynamically" taking action when cases surface.
Even though the protests are embarrassing for Xi, they come nowhere near to toppling him, analysts said, because he has full control of the party, military, security and propaganda machinery.
RESISTING LOCKDOWN
While some protesters chanted "Down with Xi Jinping, Down with Chinese Communist Party", most other people only concerned themselves with resisting a lockdown of their residential compounds or exemption from frequent tests for the virus.
"Once these self-interests are met, most people will be appeased and will move on," said Chen Daoyin, a former associate professor at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, now a commentator based in Chile.
Students were not highly organized or led by a central figure, Chen said. Protests took place in Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Chengdu and Urumqi.
At the time of the Tiananmen protests and crackdown by Chinese authorities, the last occasion that demonstrations led to the replacement of the party's general secretary, there were internal divisions amongst top party leaders about how to manage the crisis and what path to take China in future.
Not the case with Xi. With the Congress, Xi renewed his term as party leader and military commander-in-chief and placed his acolytes in all the important positions in the party. Leaders who have previously expressed contrarian views or governed in a different style from him were marginalized.
Although this authoritarian arrangement allowed Xi to be more powerful, it also contains vulnerabilities, as exposed by the protests, analysts said.
"By only surrounding himself with people who say the things he like to hear, Xi traps himself in an echo chamber, which could've led him to underestimate or be out of touch with how much people have suffered from his COVID policy," said Lance Gore, a China expert at East Asian Institute in Singapore.
PREDICAMENT
The protests magnify what has been a mounting predicament for Xi: how to walk back from a policy that was initially a point of pride but is becoming a growing liability.
If he were to bend to public pressure and roll back zero-COVID, he would appear weak, which might encourage people to take to the streets in future whenever they want change.
"If he lets go, it would mean that his past zero-COVID policy has completely failed and he would have to take responsibility for it. This makes him lose face," said Teng Biao, Chinese human rights activist, lawyer and scholar.
It is not in Xi's character to give in, the analysts said.
Xi has emphasized the need to prevent a "color revolution", or anti-government protests, most recently when he spoke at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Uzbekistan in September. He has also lamented in a closed-door speech that the Soviet Communist Party collapsed because no one was "man enough" to rise to the challenge.
If he were to change course on his COVID-19 policy before China was prepared, it could lead to widespread illness, death, and an overwhelmed medical system, consequences that are hard to swallow.
But if he brazens through before finding a way to declare victory and dial back, he risks more anger from an increasingly fed-up citizenry while economic growth sputters.
Xi tried tweaking the zero-COVID policy with the release of "20 measures" last month, in an attempt to standardize prevention measures nationwide and make them friendlier to residents and to the economy.
But as Xi has not officially renounced the need to curb all outbreaks, many local authorities are still erring on the side of caution and implementing stricter lockdowns and quarantine rules than stipulated in the "20 measures".
"At this stage they seem to be clueless," said Willy Lam, a senior fellow at the Jamestown Foundation.
"On the one hand, Xi Jinping and his faction seemed to be all powerful. But at the same time, ... we see a total absence of response from the new administration."
Reuters
Tue Nov 29 2022
![China protests highlight Xi's COVID policy dilemma - to walk it back or not China protests highlight Xi's COVID policy dilemma - to walk it back or not](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-11/61669684739_CHINA.jpg)
People hold white sheets of paper and flowers in a row as police check their IDs during a protest over COVID-19 restrictions in mainland China, during a commemoration of the victims of a fire in Urumqi, in Hong Kong, China November 28, 2022. -REUTERS
![La Liga: Kylian Mbappe kini kepunyaan Real Madrid La Liga: Kylian Mbappe kini kepunyaan Real Madrid](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721176547_Mbappe.jpg)
La Liga: Kylian Mbappe kini kepunyaan Real Madrid
Pemain berusia 26 tahun itu akan menyarung jersi nombor 9 dan mengakui terpaksa menolak beberapa tawaran daripada beberapa kelab besar.
AWANI Ringkas: Tumpuan sidang Dewan Rakyat hari ini
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
[Data & Statistik] Prestasi ringgit setakat 17 Julai 2024
Ketua Ekonomi Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid berkata tumpuan pasaran telah beralih ke arah pilihan raya presiden AS menjelang November nanti, yang menunjukkan kebimbangan terhadap Donald Trump berikutan dasar ekonominya yang akan memihak kepada pemotongan cukai dan pengenaan tarif terhadap China.
![Olimpik 2024: Mampukah Pearly-Thinaah cipta 'kemanisan' di Paris? Olimpik 2024: Mampukah Pearly-Thinaah cipta 'kemanisan' di Paris?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/41704813566_PearlyTandanThina.jpg)
Olimpik 2024: Mampukah Pearly-Thinaah cipta 'kemanisan' di Paris?
Penganalisis berpendapat sukar buat Pearly-Thinaah menjayakan misi emas pertama Malaysia pada penampilan sulung mereka.
Niaga AWANI: [Hutang kerajaan persekutuan meningkat] Cabaran antara jimat atau langkah rangsangan
Perdana Menteri pada Selasa umum hutang kerajaan persekutuan meningkat kepada RM1.22 trilion berbanding RM1.17 trilion. Apakah cabaran mengurus hutang ini untuk memasihkan ia kekal di bawah had statutori? Adakah dasar fikal kita masih utuh?
![Pemuda berat 183kg kini tinggal 99kg Pemuda berat 183kg kini tinggal 99kg](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721175184_Pemudaberatkgk.jpg)
Pemuda berat 183kg kini tinggal 99kg
Dia melalui episod kehidupan yang panjang untuk mendapatkan berat terkini.
![Minat risiko ketara, ringgit dibuka mengukuh berbanding dolar AS Minat risiko ketara, ringgit dibuka mengukuh berbanding dolar AS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-02/81709006000_RINGGIT.jpg)
Minat risiko ketara, ringgit dibuka mengukuh berbanding dolar AS
Ringgit mengukuh sedikit berbanding dolar AS pada sesi awal urus niaga Rabu ketika minat terhadap risiko kembali ketara.
Jiwa SME: Sabun Pro One Active sasar perluas pasaran global
Sabun Pro One Active tidak menggunakan sebarang lemak haiwan dalam pembuatannya selain ia mesra pengguna dan alam lantaran ia bercirikan biochemical.
Niaga AWANI: Potensi sebenar AI Generatif dalam sektor kewangan
Kecerdasan Buatan Generatif (Generative AI) adalah teknologi yang semakin mendapat perhatian dalam sektor kewangan. Ia menawarkan potensi besar untuk meningkatkan produktiviti, kecekapan, dan ketepatan dalam pelbagai aspek perkhidmatan kewangan. Apakah langkah yang boleh diambil Malaysia untuk membina infrastruktur yang baik bagi menyokong penggunaan AI generatif dalam sektor kewangan?
![Bas terjunam ke dalam cerun ragut 23 nyawa di Peru Bas terjunam ke dalam cerun ragut 23 nyawa di Peru](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721173567_tbbusplummetsoffc.jpg)
Bas terjunam ke dalam cerun ragut 23 nyawa di Peru
Kemalangan itu berlaku di lebuh raya Los Libertadores di Ayacucho di selatan-tengah Andes.
![India kekal negara paling ramai penduduk abad ini - PBB India kekal negara paling ramai penduduk abad ini - PBB](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720771313_TBPonggal.jpg)
India kekal negara paling ramai penduduk abad ini - PBB
India dijangka kekal sebagai negara paling ramai penduduk di dunia dan berdepan tekanan ekonomi dan alam sekitar.
![Ukraine boleh bergantung kepada NATO untuk jangka panjang - Ketua NATO Ukraine boleh bergantung kepada NATO untuk jangka panjang - Ketua NATO](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51720755170_JensStoltenberg.jpg)
Ukraine boleh bergantung kepada NATO untuk jangka panjang - Ketua NATO
Ketua NATO itu berkata, pihaknya bersetuju bahawa sokongan China dalam konflik ini akan memberi kesan kepada kepentingan dan reputasinya.
![Xiaohongshu dinilai US$17 bilion, platform sosial China paling pantas berkembang Xiaohongshu dinilai US$17 bilion, platform sosial China paling pantas berkembang](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720751219_Xiaohongshu.jpg)
Xiaohongshu dinilai US$17 bilion, platform sosial China paling pantas berkembang
Ia menawarkan bentuk paparan grid dan mengabungkan perkongsian gambar dan video.
![Malaysia catat 438 penerbangan mingguan dari China Malaysia catat 438 penerbangan mingguan dari China](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51720528606_SulungQingdao.jpg)
Malaysia catat 438 penerbangan mingguan dari China
Jumlah penerbangan mingguan dari China ke Kuala Lumpur mencecah 438 penerbangan dan dijangka terus meningkat tahun ini, kata Ketua Pengarah Tourism Malaysia P. Manoharan.
![Xi Jinping seru SCO berwaspada terhadap ancaman berbaur Perang Dingin Xi Jinping seru SCO berwaspada terhadap ancaman berbaur Perang Dingin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71720178611_TBSeniorChineseL.jpg)
Xi Jinping seru SCO berwaspada terhadap ancaman berbaur Perang Dingin
Presiden China, Xi Jinping menyeru negara anggota Pertubuhan Kerjasama Shanghai (SCO) berwaspada terhadap ancaman yang berbaur Perang Dingin.
![China sokong usaha Kazakhstan untuk sertai BRICS China sokong usaha Kazakhstan untuk sertai BRICS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71720107136_OrganizationSCOs.jpg)
China sokong usaha Kazakhstan untuk sertai BRICS
Pengumuman dibuat dalam satu kenyataan bersama selepas pertemuan antara Presiden Xi Jinping dan Presiden Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
![OpenAI bakal tinggalkan China, syarikat AI lain mungkin menyusul OpenAI bakal tinggalkan China, syarikat AI lain mungkin menyusul](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-02/61707662600_OpenAI.jpg)
OpenAI bakal tinggalkan China, syarikat AI lain mungkin menyusul
OpenAI mengeluarkan kenyataan mengatakan bahawa mereka akan meninggalkan pasaran China pada 9 Julai ini.
![Aplikasi SuperApp untuk rujukan pemaju hartanah dan pembeli menjelang tahun depan - KPKT Aplikasi SuperApp untuk rujukan pemaju hartanah dan pembeli menjelang tahun depan - KPKT](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720051183_tbNgaKorMing.jpg)
Aplikasi SuperApp untuk rujukan pemaju hartanah dan pembeli menjelang tahun depan - KPKT
Aplikasi SuperApp menyediakan berbagai layanan dalam satu platform, dijangka dilancarkan tahun depan.
![China, Filipina setuju teruskan dialog mengenai Laut China Selatan China, Filipina setuju teruskan dialog mengenai Laut China Selatan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/61709632005_TBRESUPPLUBOAT.jpg)
China, Filipina setuju teruskan dialog mengenai Laut China Selatan
China dan Filipina mengadakan mesyuarat kesembilan berhubung Mekanisme Perundingan Dua Hala (BCM) di Laut China Selatan.
![BAJC: China lebur impian Malaysia ke pentas final BAJC: China lebur impian Malaysia ke pentas final](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81719868974_Beregulelakinegara.jpg)
BAJC: China lebur impian Malaysia ke pentas final
Impian skuad negara untuk pertama kali mara ke final Kejohanan Badminton Remaja Asia (BAJC) 2024 lebur apabila tewas 1-3 kepada China.