China uses cops, social media censors, quiet Covid easing to stem protests

While the concessions to strict Covid Zero policies are minor, changes over the past few days have given hope to market watchers

Chinese authorities are responding to protests against stringent Covid curbs with a heavy police presence, censorship on social media and some quiet concessions even as the country’s outbreak continues to flare.  
 

The unrest triggered by a deadly fire in the city of Urumqi last week sputtered Monday night, with Beijing deploying a heavy police presence to clamp down on protests. Cities including Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing and elsewhere saw fewer demonstrations, while censorship of protest-related discussions ramped up across social media platforms that had been used to vent public anger.

Some concessions have quietly emerged. People who stay home don’t need frequent