Ahead of Two Sessions, the most important annual meetings in China’s political calendar, police vehicles with flashing lights are parked on every other corner, and officers are patrolling every bridge in the city day and night.
One skinny young guard outside a building I pass most days often looks as if he is about to disappear inside the huge winter coat that comes down almost to his ankles. He seemed more comfortable this week, however, in a brown tunic with a beret tilted downwards over his right eye like Greta Garbo in Ninotchka.
Boarding a train to Beijing from Shenyang in northern China the other day meant passing through two layers of airport-style security, at the station entrance and before going onto the platform. After the second scan, there was a further check as security personnel opened every bag and went through all their contents, opening washbags and inspecting everything inside.
A lone protester dressed as a construction worker placed two banners on Sitong Bridge in the city’s Haidian district, opposing the zero-Covid policies and calling for political reform. The other called for strikes at schools and workplaces and for the removal of Xi, whom it described as a dictator, a message repeated over and over on a loudspeaker.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Go back to doing the things you love': CMO writes open letter to older peopleCMO Prof Breda Smyth has encouraged older people who are struggling to go out and about after Covid-19 lockdowns should be assured that we are now in 'a much better place'
Read more »
Europe Letter: Who is the anti-Meloni, the surprise new leader of Italy’s opposition?At 37 Elly Schlein became the Italian Democratic Party’s youngest and first female leader, a rarity in senior political office as someone who is in a same-sex relationship and has a multicultural, partly Jewish background. (via IrishTimesWorld)
Read more »
FBI Director says origins of Covid-19 'most likely a potential lab incident in Wuhan'In response, Beijing accused Washington of harming its own credibility with the claims.
Read more »
Revolut closes two Irish firms after dropping e-money licence planRevolut closes two Irish firms after dropping e-money licence plan via IrishTimesBiz
Read more »
At least 32 killed and dozens injured after head-on collision between two trains in GreeceMultiple cars were derailed and at least three caught on fire.
Read more »