University students on bikes: authorities block 'hidden protest' in Zhengzhou
At the start of the month, groups of students begun cycling at night along the road that links Henan’s capital to Kaifeng, a place known for its steamed dumplings. For young people, affected by the crisis, this is a way to travel cheap. However, thousands of people quickly joined the rides with the authorities reacting with a ban starting with the universities.
Zhengzhou (AsiaNews) – Chinese authorities blocked a group of university students, who set off from Zhengzhou, capital of the central province of Henan, on a nighttime bike tour to Kaifeng, a historic city 50 kilometres to the east, a trip that normally takes about five hours.
The unplanned initiative quickly garnered thousands of supporters, with police and government officials reacting with alarm.
Friday night, an estimated 200,000 cyclists congested the main road between the two cities.
Eventually, the police ordered the closure of Zhengzhou universities and told students to stay on campuses for the weekend.
Despite the large participation, there were no signs of protest, slogans or demands during the procession made by the students on two wheels.
Some waved national flags and sang the Chinese anthem, which in recent years has come to be seen as a form of provocation and a sign of dissent.
University officials had advised students against taking part in the initiative, because of the possible presence of "foreign hostile forces".
Bike-sharing services also announced that bikes would automatically lock if used outside the city limits. Videos posted online show that many students continued on foot towards Kaifeng.
Students from other areas and ordinary citizens joined the initiative, which had begun in early November as a spur-of-the-moment thing.
Several groups of students had originally set off to cycle in the evening to Kaifeng to try steamed dumplings, a famous local delicacy, and then return by train the next morning.
Quickly, this became a trend among young people in Zhengzhou, leading the authorities in Kaifeng to open parks and scenic spots free of charge to students. Then, last Friday night, the authorities of the historic city invited young people to show "responsibility to society".
In recent years, "special forces-style trips”, as they are called in China, have become increasingly popular. Young people try to visit as many places in as little time as possible and spend above all as little money as they can, emulating the spirit of a special agent who has to overcome his limits.
Comments posted online suggest that this sparked concern among the authorities about the effects of the country’s economic crisis and social tensions that might result, fearful that large gatherings of young people – including a growing number of unemployed – could turn into protests.
A think tank close to the government warned that youth unemployment could trigger political problems.
Already in late October, during Halloween celebrations, police in Shanghai dispersed people partying in the streets, forcing participants to take off their costumes and arresting some.
Some costumes, like that of emperor, are seen now as purveyors of satirical messages, critical allusions to the political situation in a country dominated by a single party.
.png)
12/08/2011
06/06/2020 09:17
