People Protest Against Xi Jinping; Internet & Search Terms Limited

A very uncommon protest in China that saw enormous banners on a flyover, calling for boycotts and the removal of Xi Jinping has brought about strict online censorship in the country as authorities aim to “clean” the internet of any proof of dissent ahead of ruling Communist party’s once-in-five years meeting that begins on Sunday.

As Xi Jinping is ready to solidify his job as China’s most powerful leader in decades in the meeting, China has limited the search time ‘Beijing’ on social media following the protest this week, Bloomberg reported.

The dissent which was reportedly against China’s strict Covid zero policy promoted as one of Xi Jinping’s many achievements, the word ‘Beijing’ was put on China’s censorship blacklist. Earlier search terms including “Sitong Bridge”-the site of the protest- were also prohibited. A song that shared the name of the bridge was taken down from all streaming devices, Associated Press reported. Other restricted search terms are: “Haidian,” “warrior,” “brave man,” and “courage”, CNN reported.

China is scrambling to soak the protest ahead of the 20th Communist party congress in which Xi Jinping is supposed to extend his rule for another term. Xi Jinping, who came to power in 2012, could receive a third five-year term at the key meet.