"Dictator Step Down" on Bathroom Wall... Chinese University Students Oppose Xi Jinping's Third Term Re-election

Some Chinese University Students Avoid Censorship Like Bathroom Graffiti, Voice "Opposition to Dictatorship"
Overseas Students Share Posters and Join Embassy Protests in 'Anti-Xi Jinping' Solidarity
Intensified Censorship and Control Over the Past Decade, Backlash Against 'Zero COVID' Policy Erupts

Posters and graffiti protesting Chinese President Xi Jinping are being found at universities around the world. The number '8964' in the photo on the right refers to the 1989 Tiananmen democracy protests. Photo from 'Citizens Daily CN' Instagram.

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Yunjin Kim] As Xi Jinping, President of China, secures a third term, voices protesting his long-term rule and oppressive policies are erupting.

On the 22nd (local time), Xi Jinping was re-elected as General Secretary of the Communist Party at the 20th National Congress, laying the groundwork for prolonged leadership. However, both within China and abroad, criticism of Xi's reappointment surged around the party congress. Foreign media have noted protests directly criticizing the current regime, especially among Chinese university students.

The New York Times (NYT), CNN, and others reported that protests against Xi's regime are becoming visible among Chinese students. Students are expressing their voices in places difficult for authorities to control, such as writing "Anti-Xi Jinping" slogans on bathroom walls and sharing them on social media platforms. Chinese international students abroad have participated more actively by posting posters on university campuses or condemning the regime in front of their country's embassies.

The catalyst for the anti-Xi protests was the appearance of banners opposing Xi's reappointment in downtown Beijing ahead of the party congress. On the 13th (local time), a banner reading "Xi Jinping, dictator and traitor to the nation, step down" was hung in Beijing's Sitongqiao area, criticizing the current government's policies. Foreign media and netizens have dubbed the man who posted the banner and was arrested the "Bridge Man." Similar to the "Tank Man" who stood in front of tanks during the 1989 Tiananmen Square democracy protests, Bridge Man has become a symbol of China's anti-establishment movement.

On the 13th, a banner criticizing President Xi Jinping was displayed in Sitongqiao, Beijing, China. [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

CNN highlighted that the current wave of protests directly targets Xi Jinping. CNN explained, "Previously, Chinese government policies sparked online backlash and street protests, but most anger was focused on local governments implementing the policies, and direct, explicit attacks on Xi Jinping were rare." As seen in the 2020 case where Chinese real estate tycoon Ren Zhiqiang, chairman of Huayuan Group, was expelled from the Communist Party and sentenced to 18 years in prison after criticizing Xi's COVID-19 policies, criticism of Xi is strictly controlled.

Teng Biao, a Chinese human rights lawyer and visiting professor at the University of Chicago, told CNN, "In the past, Chinese people living abroad sporadically protested against the regime. On university campuses, pro-government opinions overwhelmingly dominated." He added, "The fact that many students are willing to risk (censorship) shows how widespread anger over Xi's 'lost decade' has become."

NYT analyzed that the younger generation, having experienced intense censorship under Xi's regime, is taking their first steps in criticizing the system. NYT stated, "China's Generation Z (born mid-1990s to early 2010s) grew up during the country's most prosperous period and is known for following government lines due to effective ideological indoctrination via the internet." It pointed out, "Some of them are quietly undergoing political awakening as they grow dissatisfied with extensive censorship, the oppressive 'zero COVID' policy, and increasing social control."

Students are voicing political opinions while evading online and offline censorship by authorities. A student attending a university in eastern China told CNN, "Political self-expression is not allowed in China, where severe cultural and political censorship occurs," adding, "I felt a long-lost freedom while scribbling on (public bathroom) walls." A graduate student in southwestern China expressed determination to continue protesting, saying, "I love China, but not the government. I do not love the Communist Party."

Chinese students abroad have united by sharing scenes from protests in their home country on social media. Instagram and Twitter accounts that receive and share photos and videos from anti-Xi protests are increasing. According to NYT, Instagram accounts reporting protest news (Citizens Daily CN, Northern Square) received about 2,000 submissions each by the 23rd. Netizens have shown support by commenting on these accounts, saying, "We must unite against tyrants and dictatorial governments," and "The times are changing."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.