蜜芽传媒

China has signalled a shift in its Covid stance as it moves to ease some virus restrictions despite high daily case numbers.

Dozens of districts in Shanghai and Guangzhou, cities that have seen rising cases, were released from lockdown measures on Thursday.

It comes as China is seeing mass protests against its zero-Covid policy.

Before the measures were lifted, footage online showed police in white hazmat suits clutching riot shields to protect themselves from debris and glass thrown at them by protesters.

Newsday have been speaking to one woman who has been out protesting. We haven't used her name or location for safety reasons.

"I still have bruises on my wrist from when they held me to the ground. It was a very horrifying moment because it's like a reflex in us to be afraid of authority, especially when there's so many of them" she says.

"I'm not really afraid and even if I am I think it's worth it. Because the whole point is to express it, to share it."

She also describes how the authorities have been on the subway checking everyone's phones for apps like Instagram and Telegram.

"It's mainly the Covid situation that has sparked the whole situation but generally speaking the oppression and the lack of freedom we feel has definitely fuelled this anger in the long term... the lack of freedom of speech has definitely been a great problem for me."

Photo shows: Demonstrators protesting over coronavirus disease restrictions throw glass bottles towards riot police in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China in this screen grab taken from a social media video released November 30, 2022. Credit: Reuters

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