In late November 2022, thousands of people in Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Wuhan, and other cities across China took to the streets to protest the government’s strict Covid-19 measures and some also denounced the Chinese Communist Party’s authoritarian rule.
Demonstrators held blank papers to symbolize censorship—hence “White Paper” protests—and chanted slogans such as “End zero-Covid,” “We want human rights,” and “Down with the Communist Party!” The authorities harassed or detained dozens of students, journalists, and others—notably many women—who participated in the protests.
"One year on from the White Paper protests that were key to ending three years of abusive ‘zero-Covid’ lockdowns, the Chinese government needs to allow safe public space for people to freely express themselves,” said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.