Mass protests against covid measures in China. Photo report

Since November 25, CHINA has been gripped by protests against the severe covid restrictions, which are due to the state policy of "zero tolerance" for covid-19 . Protesters take to the streets of cities demanding to loosen control. What is happening in China - in RBC's photo report

Photo: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

In the photo: Beijing, China, November 28

On November 24, a fire broke out in an apartment building in the capital of China's Urumqi region, killing ten people, China Press reported. According to CNN, videos showing firefighters unable to quickly arrive on the scene and start putting out the fire due to covid restrictions sparked public outrage.

Photo: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

In the photo: Beijing, China, November 28

According to The Guardian, protests due to the fire and work to eliminate it, complicated by covid restrictions, began on Friday, November 25, in the capital of Xinjiang, Urumqi. Crowds chanted 'stop the lockdown', calling for a reduction in restrictions in the country

Photo: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

In the photo: Beijing, China, November 27

Over the weekend, thousands of demonstrators marched across China. They opposed the government's strategy to fight the CORONAVIRUS, with some protesters openly calling for the resignation of Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Photo: Liau Chung-ren / ZUMA Press Wire / TASS

In the photo: Hong Kong, China, November 27

According to The Guardian, on November 27, protests took place in major cities, including Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Wuhan, Guangzhou. Students also staged protests at universities, according to CNBC.

Photo: Thomas Peter / REUTERS

In the photo: Beijing, China, November 27

Photo: Casey Hall / Reuters

In the photo: Shanghai, China, November 27

On Saturday, people in Shanghai chanted, "No PCR tests, we want freedom!" One protester told The Guardian: “We just want basic human rights. We can't leave the house without a test."

Photo: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

In the photo: Beijing, China, November 27

Photo: Mark R. Cristino / EPA / TASS

In the photo: Beijing, China, November 27

According to Al Jazeera, photos and videos of the protests, which quickly spread on the Chinese social networks WeChat and Weibo, were censored. However, many posts bypassing the blocking were published on popular Western platforms that are officially banned in China.

Photo: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

In the photo: Beijing, China, November 27

The Chinese National HEALTH Commission reported that more than 40,000 cases of COVID-19 infection were registered in the country on November 27. Of these, almost 4 thousand are symptomatic cases and 36.5 thousand are asymptomatic

Photo: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

In the photo: Beijing, China, November 27

On November 27, China News reported that, according to official statements from the authorities, Beijing continues to optimize measures for the prevention and control of COVID-19. For example, there is a strict ban on the use of rigid barriers to block fire exits and public doors.

Photo: Thomas Peter / Reuters

In the photo: Beijing, China, November 27

The main symbol of the protests in China were blank sheets of paper, which were held in the hands of many protesters. “The white sheet is everything we want but can’t say,” said a 26-year-old participant in a rally on the Liangma River, who introduced himself to reporters as Johnny

Photo: Mark R. Cristino / EPA / TASS

In the photo: Beijing, China, November 27

On November 28, stocks and oil prices plummeted due to Chinese protests, according to Reuters . AJ Bell chief investment officer Russ Mold told The Guardian: "In the medium term, the protests could boost growth if they convince Beijing to take a softer approach to the coronavirus, but given Xi Jinping's tough policy, it's hard to imagine it being easily abandoned."