Trudeau expresses support for Chinese protesters as show of dissent roils Beijing

Photo: The Canadian Press

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says everyone in China should be allowed to express themselves amid protests over severe COVID-19 restrictions.

Crowds in China angered by the controls have called on leader Xi Jinping to resign in the biggest show of public dissent in decades.

Authorities have eased some controls after demonstrations in at least eight mainland cities and Hong Kong.

But they showed no sign of backing off their larger “zero-COVID” strategy that has confined millions of people to their homes for months at a time.

Security forces have detained an unknown number of people and stepped up surveillance.

On his way into a cabinet meeting today, Trudeau said Canada will continue to ensure China knows that Ottawa will stand up for human rights and free expression.