In Wuhan, China, protests erupted, over the government’s strict COVID measures in a rare show of defiance, prompting U.S. Friday’s warning to Beijing by Senators was sent on Friday.
In a bipartisan letter to China’s Washington ambassador, Qin Gang, a group 42 Senators warned China that they were “closely” watching Beijing’s response to the unrest and said that any violent crackdown on the protestors would cause “extraordinary damage” to the U.S.-China relationship.
“We warn the CCP in strongest possible terms not once again engage in a violent crackdown upon peaceful Chinese protesters, who simply want more freedom,” said the letter penned jointly by Republican Senator Dan Sullivan (Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley).
During a protest to support the coronavirus-related restrictions in mainland China (COVID-19), a person holds up a banner outside the Chinese consulate in Toronto. This was during the commemoration of Urumqi’s victims.
(REUTERS/Chris Helgren)
CHINA CONSIDERS EASING HARSHCOVID POLICIES AMID PROTESTS
The letter mentioned the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre that saw thousands of protestors being killed by Chinese authorities.
“If that happens we believe there will grave consequences for U.S. – China relationship, causing extraordinary harm to it,” added the lawmakers.
The short letter, which was only 100 words long, was sent to Beijing as a direct warning just weeks after the incident. President Biden and Chinese President Xi JinpingThey met and agreed to strengthen relations after years of increased tension and increasing security concerns.
As protesters march through Beijing on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, they hold up blank paper and chant slogans.
(AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
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But the protests across China have once again threatened that relationship after Chinese citizens took to the streets to protest Beijing’s oppressive policies.
The following are the 2019 COVID outbreak in WuhanChina, according to multiple reports, erected barriers throughout the country to stop people leaving their homes or neighborhoods in order to contain the virus.
It’s not clear if or how the barriers were removed. However, Reuters footage on Friday showed dozens pushing down a barrier in Wuhan that appeared to prevent people from accessing other parts of Wuhan.
China built barriers to control the spread of the pandemic, and to keep dissidents from violating COVID laws out of reach.
Protesters raise blank papers and chant slogans while marching in Beijing, Sunday Nov. 27, 2022.
(AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
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Following weeks of protests, several cities across China began to relax COVID regulations. This was done by lowering quarantine restrictions and testing requirements.
This week’s report suggested that Beijing might be looking to relax policies by allowing mothers, seniors and people with underlying conditions to quarantine at their homes rather than being forced to remain at government facilities.
