Angry protests spread across China as Xi Jinping is confronted with ‘resignation’ chants

Angry protests are spreading across China, with people seen calling on President Xi Jinping to “resign”.

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Shanghai, China’s largest city, and the capital Beijing amid the government’s highly restrictive zero-COVID policy.

Protesters also rallied in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang province, after a deadly fire on November 24 that killed at least 10 people.

Residents of the apartment building were reportedly prevented from leaving the building due to China’s strict enforcement of the zero-COVID policy.

In videos shared on social media, protesters were seen chanting slogans such as “Xi Jinping, resign” and “Communist Party, resign.”

Shanghai residents gathered on Wulumuqi Road, named after Xinjiang’s capital, for a candlelight vigil on Saturday, which turned into a protest early Sunday, according to Reuters.

During the protest, the crowd could be seen holding up blank sheets of paper, a symbol of protest against censorship in China.

The news agency reported that people chanted, “Down with the Chinese Communist Party, down with Xi Jinping.”

This is an evolving story and will be updated as more information becomes available.