Dear Editor,

We have seen unprecedented protests spreading across China. From Shanghai to Beijing people have been protesting years of extreme COVID-19 measures, including forceful lockdowns and quarantines. This was the tip of the iceberg as people became frustrated over lockdowns, censorships, and lack of freedom and human rights.

They have voiced anger with the commmunist regime led by President Xi Jingping, and they are demanding an end to rulers who rule for life. Elsewhere in the world, we have also seen protests in Russia against the war which Russia started in Ukraine almost a year ago. Anti-government protests have also taken place in Iran, with growing dissent against authoritarianism, lack of human rights, and shortages. Many protestors are young people, generation Z, Y, and millenials.

People throughout the world are more connected than ever before via technology, trade, and even education. Globalisation is proving terrible for dictatorships and authoritarian regimes. We are living in a new world, where people are no longer willing to sit back and allow a few extremists to exert control and power to use, abuse, and ridicule the people they govern. People are becoming defiant and no longer fearful to express anti-government sentiments.

Jamaican politicians should take note, people expect results from leaders they elect to office and they should never take their roles for granted. People do not forget controversies, even if they quietly go away. There is strength in numbers, whether on a ballot or with protests in the streets, media, and other outlets.

Although police in China have been fighting back protestors, kicking and beating them, the protests continue. What we are witnessing is extraordinary. What began as street protests in north-west China triggered by a fire in an appartment building where 10 people died quickly spread across the country; many blamed the deaths in the fire on extreme COVID-19 measures which delayed rescue operations.

For three years the Chinese Government has enforced extreme measures to fight the novel coronavirus pandemic. Lockdowns have been imposed on entire cities and regions, which affected millions. There have been mass testing, digital tracking, and many have suffered economically.

The Chinese Government seems to have used the pandemic to exert more control over its citizens, and the people have had enough. What we are seeing in China today could well be the catalyst for change in China as people hit the streets to vent decades of pent-up frustration, anger, and abuse.

P Chin

chin_p@yahoo.com