A rare protest attacking President Xi Jinping and China’s Covid restrictions has taken place in Beijing, days before a historic Communist Party congress.
Images showed two protest banners on a bridge in the north-west of the city. The protest appeared to have been swiftly stopped by the authorities.
Frustration has been mounting in the capital before the congress.
There has been an outpouring of anger online at strict security measures and the Covid restrictions put in place.
Authorities have tightened access to the city, shutting out many travellers, returning residents and deliveries. Others had their movement restricted or were forced to quarantine.
The images and footage of the protest that have been circulating showed two large banners unfurled on a bridge in Beijing’s Haidian district.
One 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 called on residents to “go on strike at school and work, remove dictator and national traitor Xi Jinping”.
