In a rare act of defiance, a protest banner was displayed in Xinhua County, Hunan province, calling for democracy and the end of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s rule. The banner, hung from a pedestrian footbridge, bore slogans advocating for democratic elections and the ousting of Xi, reminiscent of the 2022 ‘Bridge Man’ protest in Beijing.
On July 30, an anonymous protester displayed the banner with messages reading: “Equality, not privilege. Freedom, not control. Reforms, not the Cultural Revolution. Elections not leaders.” A loudspeaker accompanying the banner blared calls for students and workers to strike and demanded democracy and the removal of Xi Jinping. The slogans echoed those of Peng Lifa, who gained international attention for his 2022 protest on Beijing’s Sitong Bridge.
Peng Lifa’s protest in October 2022 had set a precedent for public dissent against Xi Jinping’s regime. His banners read: “Remove the traitor-dictator Xi Jinping!” and “Say no to COVID tests, yes to food. No to lockdowns, yes to freedom. Reforms, not the Cultural Revolution. Elections not leaders.” Peng’s bold move inspired many and planted the seeds of resistance that continue to bloom.
Despite pervasive surveillance and a stringent “stability maintenance” system, acts of peaceful dissent persist in China. The recent protest in Hunan is a testament to the growing discontent with Xi’s authoritarian rule. Videos of the protest were shared on social media, garnering praise for the protesters’ courage and concern for their safety due to the ubiquitous surveillance cameras.
The banners in Hunan and the slogans from the loudspeaker reflect a broader sentiment of dissatisfaction with the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) strict control over public expression. Since the implementation of the ‘Zero Covid’ policy, there have been several instances of public unrest, including large-scale riots in Zhengzhou and Guangzhou in November 2022, where protesters clashed with police over strict lockdown measures.
China’s history of suppressing dissent includes significant events such as the 2008 Tibetan uprising and the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. The 2008 Tibetan uprising saw severe repression, with rights groups reporting over 140 deaths, although Chinese authorities claimed a lower death toll. The crackdown on the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989 remains infamous, with estimates of the death toll ranging from 200 to 10,000.
The international community has often criticized Beijing’s heavy-handed approach to dissent. However, the resilience of Chinese activists continues to inspire those fighting for freedom and democracy. The recent protest in Hunan is a reminder that despite the CPC’s efforts to maintain control, the desire for democratic reforms and freedom of expression remains strong among the Chinese populace.
The protest in Hunan is a significant act of defiance against Xi Jinping’s rule and the Chinese Communist Party’s authoritarian policies. As China’s economy faces challenges and public discontent grows, such acts of resistance highlight the enduring spirit of those advocating for democracy and human rights in the face of repression.
