with 20th community party congress (CPC) Starting on Sunday, hundreds of volunteers – called “Neighborhood Security Volunteers” – are spread out on a street in Beijing to keep a close eye on the proceedings.
According to a report in The New York Times, volunteers were placed “every 100 feet or so” to ensure that any perceived danger or wrinkle – from COVID to unsightly litter – was eliminated.
“As a fortress around Beijing, Xi is preparing to set an example for another five years, which shows how successful he has been,” the report said.
double whammy on zero covid
Besides thwarting any perceived security threat, the volunteers were also fighting an invisible enemy: COVID-19.
Even as the world emerges from the shadow of a grueling pandemic, China is keeping its defenses undeniable – especially during the all-important CPC.
The defenses are so stringent that people who have traveled to areas with even a single Covid case are barred from entering the city.
Stranded citizens erupted in anger on social media, with some saying they needed to return urgently for work or surgery.
Some are complaining that their employers barred them from leaving Beijing during the seven-day National Day holiday last week for fear they would not be able to return.
Separately, the NYT reported that Postal Department officials have been instructed to check the IDs of everyone mailing anything to Beijing.
“Until the big meeting is over, more people will patrol. Police, all kinds,” a volunteer told the NYT.
Officials in other provinces have promised “especially Beijing” any necessary measures, including lockdowns, to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Over 1.4 million arrested, protests canceled
The scale and size of the conclave, which takes place once every five years, is evident from some of the other extreme measures taken by the authorities.
In the capital city, armed officers patrolled the streets around the Great Hall of People to stop cyclists and pedestrians for random checks.
Last month, a government official announced that authorities had arrested more than 1.4 million criminal suspects nationwide since the end of June. Reason: They wanted to create a “safe and stable political and social environment” for the CPC.
Local people are also bearing the brunt of these extreme restrictions.
Images of two banners being hoisted on an overpass in Beijing circulated on social media, calling for an end to the lockdown and the overthrow of Xi.
However, Beijing has almost never seen public protests on any given day, and is almost unimaginable amid security circles, the NYT report said.
Whatever minor protests took place, the authorities quickly repulsed them.
Strict policing was also visible on social media, with online censors strictly scrutinizing any photos posted online.
The report added that searches for the word “Beijing” were also banned on the Weibo (China’s Twitter) platform, showing posts from only verified official accounts.