Why an unstable China concerns the rest of the world

Beijing may get tough on foreign front to distract from zero-COVID debacle

Given his authoritarian bent and the country's low vaccination rates, Chinese President Xi Jinping might ease his zero-COVID policy but will not easily abandon it. (Source photos by Reuters)

HIROYUKI AKITA, Nikkei commentator

December 11, 2022 14:05 JST

TOKYO -- In an extremely rare development, crowds protested in major cities across China in late November to criticize the country's draconian COVID-19 restrictions, with some demonstrators openly questioning Communist Party rule.

Protests took place in Beijing and Shanghai as well as other urban centers, including Chengdu, Wuhan, Guangzhou and Urumqi. Despite authorities tightening security to prevent their recurrence, discontent with the country's zero-COVID policy continues to simmer.