Analysis: China protests highlight Xi's COVID policy dilemma - to walk it back or not

Epidemic-prevention workers in protective suits stand guard at a residential compound as outbreaks of coronavirus disease continue in Beijing, China November 28, 2022. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/File PhotoBEIJING, Nov 29 - The rare street protests that erupted in cities across China over the weekend were a referendum against President Xi Jinping'sand the strongest public defiance during his political career, China analysts said.

Xi had claimed personal responsibility for leading the "war" against COVID-19, justified zero-COVID with a need to "put people above everything" and counted his "correct" COVID policy among his political achievements when he sought a precedent-breaking third term at the 20th Communist Party Congress in October.

"Once these self-interests are met, most people will be appeased and will move on," said Chen Daoyin, a former associate professor at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, now a commentator based in Chile. Not the case with Xi. With the Congress, Xi renewed his term as party leader and military commander-in-chief and placed his acolytes in all the important positions in the party. Leaders who have previously expressed contrarian views or governed in a different style from him were marginalized.

If he were to bend to public pressure and roll back zero-COVID, he would appear weak, which might encourage people to take to the streets in future whenever they want change. But if he brazens through before finding a way to declare victory and dial back, he risks more anger from an increasingly fed-up citizenry while economic growth sputters.

zero-covid policyIt is Xi Jinping's biggest defiance for basic human rights.

Why don't Americans cancel the holidays this year? They pay that money to homeless citizens. Human rights for this poor group I think are more important than celebrations 😭😭😭😭😭 more problems inside america than covid in china 😂😂😂😂

He’s stuck between Yangtze River and yellow river since infected number is on an upswing.

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