49Received 24.04.2023. Revised 03.05.2023. Accepted 02.06.2023.
Abstract. Various examples of the social science research show that, historically, any nation going through some drastic changes in its political and economic system is vulnerable to tendencies of social unrest and political instability. The processes of political modernization after establishment of the PRC and “reforms and openness” going since 1978 up to this day had made the Chinese people experience tremendous and sometimes painful changes in their everyday life. Protest activities and the reaction of Chinese government to them constitute a special interest among scholars. Protests are called “mass incidents” in the PRC, the information about which is secured from leaking out from the local level. This fact creates serious challenge for finding the material, in addition to mostly biased character of publications by Western media. The authors attempted to elaborate an equal collection of Chinese and Western materials (focusing on the Chinese academic discourse), news articles and social web messages to complete case-studies of protest activities in China, its typology, background, reasons, probable ways of its solution according to Chinese scholars, as well as how and on what legal basis the authorities are dealing with demonstrations. The Chinese authorities are inclined to see social and economic protests not as a threat to the existing system, but as signals of problem areas that need to be addressed.
Keywords: China, policy of reforms and openness, social tension, environmental deterioration, policy of zero tolerance, COVID?19, public security organs in China, protest activity, mass incidents, suppression of protests
REFERENCES
1. Chen C.J., Cai Yongshun. Upward Targeting and Social Protests in China. Journal of Contemporary China, 2021, vol. 30, no. 130, pp. 511-525. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10670564.2020.1852735
2. Wang Xia. The analysis of mass incidents’ reasons in the countryside. People’s Procuratorate of Changxing county, 2011. (In Chin.) Available at: http://www.huzhoucx.jcy.gov.cn/fxyd/llyj/201106/t20110615_556572.shtml (accessed 01.06.2023).
3. Qiu Jieqi. Mass Events and the Social Foundation of the Development of Ruling by Law. Journal of Yunnan University: Social Sciences, 2004, vol. 3, no. 5, pp. 54-59. (In Chin.)
4. Deng Yanhua, Zhou Min. Why People Don’t Protest? Work Units, Selective Paternalism, and Social Ties in China. The China Review, 2022, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 243-269.
5. Liu Neng. Mass Incidents in Modern China: Change of Image and Reconstruction of Classification Framework. The Journal of Jiangsu Administration Institute, 2011, no. 2, pp. 53-59. (In Chin.)
6. Zhang Ping, Yang Zuchan. Brief Analysis of Mass Incidents’ Characteristics in China for the Last Ten Years. Journal of China University of Geosciences (Social Sciences Edition), 2015, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 53-61. (In Chin.)
7. Zhang Chunming, Cheng Jinyun. Strategies of Public Security Organs in Fighting the Mass Incidents. Yunnan Police College, 2015. (In Chin.) Available at: https://www.ynpc.edu.cn/upload/20160310/31061457602955174.pdf (accessed 01.06.2023).
8. Perry E.J. Challenging the Mandate of Heaven: Popular Protest in Modern China. Critical Asian Studies, 2001, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 163-180. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/14672710122544
9. Li Lianjiang, O’Brien K.J. Protest Leadership in Rural China. The China Quarterly, 2008, vol. 193, pp. 1-23. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0305741008000015
10. Steinhardt H. C., Wu Fengshi. In the Name of the Public: Environmental Protest and the Changing Landscape of Popular Contention in China. The China Journal, 2016, vol. 75, pp. 61-82. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1086/684010
11. Wen Xiaoyi. Transformation of Mass Incidents among Workers and Public Administration. Human Resource Development in China, 2012, no. 5, pp. 81-85. (In Chin.)
12. Deng Yanhua, O’Brien K.J. Societies of Senior Citizens and Popular Protest in Rural Zhejiang. The China Journal, 2014, vol. 71, pp. 172-188. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1086/674559
SOURCES
1. Ministry of Public Security “Regulations on the Public Security Organs Dealing with Mass Incidents of Public Order Violations” (Publication [2000] no. 5). Studying of the Sociological Law, 02.11.2016. (In Chin.) Available at: https://www.shehuifa.com/?p=5991 (accessed 10.01.2023).
2. Tip of the Iceberg: the statistics of crucial mass incidents from 1976 to 2019. Pincong, 26.03.2020. (In Chin.) Available at: https://pincong.rocks/article/16835 (accessed 12.01.2023).
3. The demands of Liaoyang workers to arrange a new demonstration have been rejected. BBC, 23.04.2002. (In Chin.) Available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/chinese/news/newsid_1945000/19459151.stm (accessed 17.01.2023).
4. The workers’ strike movements in the North-East are continuing, authorities have sent forces to intervene. BBC, 21.03.2002. (In Chin.) Available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/chinese/news/newsid_1885000/18856881.stm (accessed 25.01.2023).
5. Chongqing taxi drivers are protesting. Reuters, 03.11.2008. (In Chin.) Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/idCNChina-2745620081103 (accessed 01.02.2023).
6. Chongqing taxi drivers have arranged a city-wide strike due to low tariffs and other reasons. Sina Auto, 03.11.2008. (In Chin.) Available at: http://auto.sina.com.cn/news/2008-11-03/1335423950.shtml (accessed 05.02.2023).
7. Security control is established due to the violence incidents in Guxiang (city of Chaozhou, Guangdong province). Sina Finance, 08.06.2011. (In Chin.) Available at: http://finance.sina.com.cn/roll/20110608/10369958285.shtml (accessed 10.02.2023).
8. Work panel to quell rumors with unrest in S China town. China.org.cn, 12.06.2011. Available at: http://www.china.org.cn/china/2011-06/12/content_22766885.htm (accessed 18.02.2023).
9. In Yantian port (city of Shenzhen, Guangdong province) the authorities reduced the number of parking lots which led to the rise of fees. Lots of taxi drivers have nowhere to park, in addition to constantly being fined by the traffic police. Tumblr, 03.11.2014. (In Chin.)] Available at: https://wickedonna2.tumblr.com/post/101804065758/2014 (accessed 20.02.2023).
10. Police beat protesting iPhone workers as Covid cases hit record high in China. The Guardian, 23.11.2022. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/nov/24/workers-in-running-battles-with-police-at-foxconns-iphone-factory-in-china (accessed 26.05.2023).
11. Surge in strikes at Chinese factories after Covid rules end. The Guardian, 21.05.2023. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/21/surge-in-strikes-at-chinese-factories-after-covid-rules-end (accessed 26.05.2023).
12. Chinese disciplinary watchdog to investigate after bank protesters flagged as health risk. South China Morning Post, 18.06.2022. Available at: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3182224/chinese-disciplinary-watchdog-investigate-after-bank-protesters?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article&campaign=3182224 (accessed 06.03.2023).
13. Protest in China over frozen bank accounts ends in violence. The Guardian, 12.07.2022. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/11/china-violent-clashes-at-protest-over-frozen-rural-bank-accounts (accessed 07.03.2023).
14. White-shirted group attacks protesters at China banking scandal demonstration. South China Morning Post, 11.07.2022. Available at: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3184788/white-shirted-group-attacks-protesters-china-banking-scandal?module=inline&pgtype=article (accessed 08.03.2023).
15. Fears of data abuse as Chinese health code turns red for financial scandal protesters. South China Morning Post, 14.07.2022. Available at: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3181635/chinese-health-code-turns-red-financial-victims-about-protest?module=inline&pgtype=article (accessed 10.03.2023).
16. Zhuxi Industrial Park in Huaxi, Dongyang, Zhejiang, China. Environmental Justice Atlas, 20.04.2018. Available at: https://ejatlas.org/conflict/protests-against-polluting-factories-in-huaxi-dongyang-zhejiang-china (accessed 12.03.2023).
17. British media: the protests in Inner Mongolia are caused by many years of civil grievances. Duowei News, 06.06.2011. (In Chin.) Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20110710160438/http://china.dwnews.com/news/2011-05-31/57764336.html (accessed 18.03.2023).
18. Police disperse power plant protest in China. CNN, 21.12.2011. Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/20/world/asia/china-protest/index.html (accessed 20.03.2023).
19. Villagers in Suijiang (Yunnan province) are dissatisfied with the land appropriation and blocked the road trampling on the Public Security Bureau Chief. Yahoo News, 04.04.2011. (In Chin.) Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20110404024214/http://news.cn.yahoo.com/ypen/20110331/285224.html (accessed 26.03.2023).
20. Chinese protesters force officials to cancel industrial waste pipeline project. The Guardian, 28.07.2012. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jul/28/chinese-protesters-industrial-waste-pipeline (accessed 27.03.2023).
21. Inside Shanghai’s COVID lockdown nightmare. NIKKEI Asia, 22.06.2022. Available at: https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/The-Big-Story/Inside-Shanghai-s-COVID-lockdown-nightmare (accessed 29.03.2023).
22. The China’s GDP growth rates have slowed down to 0,4% in the second quarter. Finmarket, 28.12.2022. (In Russ.) Available at: http://www.finmarket.ru/news/5761289 (accessed 31.03.2023).
23. Slowing down on the curve: why Chinese economy is not going back to past rates of growth. Forbes, 27.01.2022. (In Russ.) Available at: https://www.forbes.ru/mneniya/484224-tormozenie-na-povorote-pocemu-kitajskaa-ekonomika-ne-vernetsa-k-bylomu-rostu (accessed 31.03.2023).
24. Students are often at the heart of protests in China. The Economist, 01.12.2023. Available at: https://www.economist.com/china/2022/12/01/students-are-often-at-the-heart-of-protests-in-china (accessed 04.04.2023).
25. Shanghai lockdown: Residents protest after five weeks of strict zero-Covid measures. BBC, 29.04.2022. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-china-61270616 (accessed 05.04.2023).
26. In China, fleeting “cyber protests” leave behind fragile memories. Rest of World, 16.05.2022. Available at: https://restofworld.org/2022/china-online-protests/ (accessed 09.04.2023).
27. “Like Wuhan all over again”: As Shanghai protests, China censors. Al Jazeera, 30.04.2022. Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/30/like-wuhan-all-over-again-as-shanghai-protests-censors-pounce (accessed 09.04.2023).
28. Covid lockdown protests break out in western China after deadly fire. The Guardian, 26.11.2022. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/26/covid-lockdown-protests-break-out-in-western-china-after-deadly-fire (accessed 10.04.2023).
29. Clashes in Shanghai as protests over zero-Covid policy grip China. The Guardian, 30.11.2022. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/28/clashes-in-shanghai-as-protests-over-zero-covid-policy-grip-china (accessed 14.04.2023).
30. Rare political protest banners removed in Chinese capital. Reuters, 13.10.2022. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/rare-protest-banners-removed-chinese-capital-2022-10-13/ (accessed 16.04.2023).
31. Chinese students protest as university locks down over one Covid case. The Guardian, 06.12.2022. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/06/beijing-drops-some-covid-tests-as-capital-readies-itself-for-life-again (accessed 18.04.2023).
No comments