China vows crackdown on ‘hostile forces’ as public tests Xi

BEIJING — China’s ruling Communist Party has vowed to “resolutely crack down on infiltration and sabotage activities by hostile forces,” following the largest street demonstrations in decades by citizens fed up with strict anti-virus restrictions. “The meeting emphasized that political and legal organs must take effective measures to … resolutely safeguard national security and social stability,” the statement said. On the protests, Burns said the embassy was observing their progress and the government’s response, but said, “We believe the Chinese people have a right to protest peacefully.” “They have a right to make their views known. Dozens of them, mostly Chinese, held signs in Japanese, Chinese and English that said “Xi Jinping step down” and “Crush the Communist Party.” Asked about the foreign expressions of support for the protesters, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian defended his country’s COVID-19 measures and said other nations should mind their own business.