Last week's surprise burst of protests across China seemed to subside as quickly as they erupted. But overnight clashes have broken out in the southern port city of Guangzhou. Social media images from the megacity's Haizhu district include the sound of glass breaking and shouting, with arrests following. The clashes came hours after local authorities announced a partial loosening of Covid lockdown rules.
Signs of lingering fury over the country's zero-Covid policy are also visible in Shanghai, where a video posted on social media shows residents confronting health workers in hazmat suits. Are these isolated incidents or are citizens ready to brave the consequences of defying authorities in Xi Jinping's China?
We also ask our panel about the timing of Charles Michel's visit to Beijing. Is the president of the European Council there to do business or show tough love? How to know current events are a blip or a turning point?
How times have changed: the death of former president Jiang Zemin at 96 is a reminder of the contrast between the days of booming trade with the West and the present zero-Covid protests that follow the recent lifting of term limits for Xi. What next for the regime? What next for its leader?
Produced by Alessandro Xenos, Juliette Laurain and Imen Mellaz.
