China: Protesters shut down major road in Beijing July 24

Event

Police in Beijing closed down part of a major road in Beijing on Monday, July 24, after hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the street in a rare display of protest. According to media reports, investors from around the country gathered in the Dahongmen neighborhood of the capital in support of a company currently under scrutiny for allegedly running a pyramid scheme. On Tuesday, July 25, police officials warned citizens against organizing or participating in illegal protests. Media sources reported a slightly increased security presence in Beijing on Tuesday.

Context

According to media reports, the investors were demonstrating in support of executives from a company called Shanxinhui. Several executives from Shanxinhui were arrested on Friday, July 21, after the government accused them of using the company to run a pyramid investment scheme. The demonstrators are calling for the government to release Zhang Tianming, the founder of Shanxinhui, and to stop the crackdown on the company.

Although unrest remains rare in China, protests do occur over contentious issues such as the construction of garbage incinerators or pollution from coal factories located near residential areas. Chinese media tend refrain from reporting on such events and related discussions on social media are regularly censored.

Advice

Individuals in Beijing are advised to monitor the situation and to avoid any protests that may occur.