[ad_1]
The Chinese government has warned it will crack down on protesters for disrupting the social order, signalling it was prepared to use greater force after days of open dissent over its COVID-zero policy.
The warning, issued late on Tuesday night by the Central Committee, is the first official government response to four days of unrest across a dozen Chinese cities.
“We must resolutely crack down on the infiltration and sabotage activities of hostile forces according to law, resolutely crack down on illegal and criminal acts that disrupt social order according to law, and earnestly safeguard the overall stability of society,” said Chen Wenqing, the Politburo’s secretary of the politics and legal affairs committee.
He added that the government would enhance its political judgment, political understanding and political execution.
“It is necessary to promptly ease and resolve contradictions and disputes and help solve the practical difficulties of the people,” Chen said, according to Chinese state media service Xinhua.
Loading
The details of the Central Committee meeting suggest the Chinese government is attempting to balance the ongoing concerns of workers, students and businesses straining under their third year of COVID restrictions, while wiping out threats to political stability and criticism of Chinese Communist Party rule.
On Tuesday night, pockets of dissent continued across China as local authorities and police blockaded areas of Beijing to prevent protesters from gathering.
In Shanghai, police were seen boarding a train and checking travellers’ phones for apps, including Telegram and Twitter. The apps, which are banned in China and can only be accessed through virtual private networks (VPNs), have been used by protesters to coordinate and disseminate information overseas.
[ad_2]
Source link