Protests are breaking out at major cities in China against the country’s strict zero COVID policy. People have been holding up blank sheets of paper in silent protest, a tactic to avoid getting censored or arrested. Chinese police have increased their presence among the protesters and threatened a Chinese YouTuber overseas for showing support for the protesters.
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Protests continue in major Chinese cities against the country’s strict zero-COVID policies. Police presence has increased among the protests and the police are beginning to threaten supporters of the protest.
Mr. Chen is a Chinese YouTuber in the United States. He shared a phone call he received from the Chinese police in one of his YouTube videos. The police threatened that he would be arrested for showing support for the white paper protest. When he asked if they knew where he was, the voice on the other end said they have a way to find his location.
A couple of college students in Taiwan were asked about Mr. Chen’s situation. One said it’s wrong what the Chinese authorities were doing and the YouTuber should watch out for his safety. Another said that everyone is free to express their thoughts on social media, as long as it does not endanger the rights of others.
The opposition KMT party and prominent people in Taiwan have posted on Facebook, asking the Chinese government to hear the needs of its people. The ruling DPP party also held a press conference saying they stand in solidarity with the protesters.