A rare protest attacking President Xi Jinping and China’s Covid restrictions has taken place in Beijing, days before the 20th Communist Party Congress. Images and videos on social media showed two protest banners on a bridge in Haidian district in the northwest of the Chinese capital. One banner read: “No Covid test, we want to eat. No restrictions, we want freedom. No lies, we want dignity. No Cultural Revolution, we want reform. No leaders, we want votes. By not being slaves, we can be citizens.” The other was more blunt, urging people to “go on strike at school and work, remove dictator and national traitor Xi Jinping”. Online videos from the scene showed a thick plume of smoke on the bridge and a man could be heard shouting slogans. The week-long Party Congress, due to begin on Sunday, will see the presence of about 2,300 delegates in Beijing. There’s tight security and authorities in Beijing are enforcing stricter-than-usual anti-Covid measures. People are being tested every three days, entry to all buildings is screened and use of face masks is being rigorously implemented. There are curbs on the number of people entering the city; Beijing residents are being discouraged to leave the city.
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