China is seeing a sudden surge in COVID-19 cases. This has led to the country clamping down on its citizen and imposing strict lockdown rules. The country has been seeing anti-lockdown protests. Amid all this, a BBC journalist was arrested in China.
The senior journalist was beaten and arrested while he was covering an anti-‘COVID Zero’ protest in the country. Let’s find out in detail about the protests, the covid cases, and the arrest of that journalist. Keep on reading to find out.
A BBC Journalist Was Arrested In China During Protest
Edward Lawrence, a senior journalist and camera operator in the China bureau of BBC, was arrested and beaten in Shanghai on Sunday evening while covering an anti-‘COVID Zero’ protest.
Right after China saw a sudden surge in coronavirus cases, the government put draconian COVID Zero measures, which include frequent and harsh lockdowns on its citizens.
Citizens have been protesting these COVID Zero policies. Some of the biggest cities, including Shanghai and Beijing, are seeing the protest. Several protestors are carrying flowers and slogans and are asking Chinese President Xi Jinping to step down.
It’s a rare case for a BBC reporter to be arrested in China which has strict draconian laws for its citizens and journalists.
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Lawrence Tweeted Before He Was Arrested
Lawrence took to Twitter to write that he was watching the crowds grow at an anti-lockdown protest in Shanghai, right before his arrest. He also mentioned that he saw three people getting arrested.
He tweeted: “I’m at the scene of last night’s extraordinary anti Covid-zero protest in Shanghai. Many people are gathered here quietly watching. Lots of cops. Two girls laid flowers which were promptly removed by police. One man drove past with middle finger up at police. #shanghai“
I’m at the scene of last night’s extraordinary anti Covid-zero protest in Shanghai. Many people are gathered here quietly watching. Lots of cops. Two girls laid flowers which were promptly removed by police. One man drove past with middle finger up at police. #shanghai
— Edward Lawrence (@EP_Lawrence) November 27, 2022
The journo further wrote, “some small crowds are gathered on the sidewalks quietly watching the scene and the police presence. I’ve seen several people with flowers. One girl was holding a blank piece of paper.”
It is still not clear the timing or the reason Lawrence was apprehended. However, the two videos circulating on the internet provide a sneak peek of his arrest. In one, he is forcibly taken away by uniformed men, while shouting to his colleague “Call the consulate now.”
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