The death of a teenage boy in north-west China has triggered violent protests, confirmed through verified videos reviewed by the BBC.
Social media footage shows demonstrators throwing objects at police, while officers are seen beating some protesters in the city of Pucheng, located in Shaanxi province. The unrest began after the teenager died on January 2 in what authorities described as an accidental fall at his school dormitory. However, allegations of a cover-up quickly spread online, fueling public outrage.
The protests erupted soon after and persisted for several days before being subdued earlier this week. Since then, no further evidence of protests has emerged.
Sensitive Context of Public Demonstrations in China
While public protests are not rare in China, authorities remain particularly cautious following the 2022 “White Paper” protests against strict COVID-19 policies. Those demonstrations included rare public criticism of the Chinese Communist Party and President Xi Jinping.
State media has not reported on the Pucheng protests, and mentions of the incident have been heavily censored on Chinese social media. However, several videos have leaked and circulated on platforms like X (formerly Twitter). The BBC verified these videos were filmed at the Pucheng Vocational Education Centre and confirmed their authenticity.
When approached, a representative from Pucheng’s government denied any protests had occurred. Calls to an official handling media inquiries went unanswered.
Official Account of the Incident
In a statement earlier this week, local authorities identified the teenager as a third-year student, surnamed Dang, at the vocational education center. They reported that Dang was woken in the night by other students chatting in his dormitory, leading to an argument and physical altercation with one boy. A school official intervened to resolve the conflict.
Later that night, another student discovered Dang’s body at the foot of the dormitory block. Authorities described the incident as “an accident where a student fell from a height at school,” stating that police investigations and an autopsy ruled out foul play.
Allegations of a Cover-Up
Despite the official explanation, rumors and allegations have circulated online, suggesting a potential cover-up. Some claims, though unverified, suggest Dang was bullied by the boy he had fought with, leading to his death. Alleged remarks from Dang’s family further fueled suspicions, with claims that injuries on his body were inconsistent with the official account and that they were denied sufficient time to examine his body.
These allegations appear to have angered many in Pucheng, drawing hundreds of people to protest.
Public Reaction and Mourning
Bullying in schools has become a sensitive issue in China, with past cases sparking public protests. Last month, a court sentenced two teenagers to lengthy prison terms for murdering a classmate, further highlighting public concern over the issue.
On Monday, videos confirmed by the BBC showed people mourning Dang’s death at the school. Mourners left flowers and offerings at the school entrance and performed traditional rituals, including throwing pieces of paper from a rooftop.
Other clips showed large demonstrations, with many participants appearing to be young. Protesters stormed a building, clashed with police, and shouted, “Give us the truth.” Verified footage depicted a school official being confronted and shoved by protesters, destroyed offices, and crowds toppling barricades at the school entrance.
In some videos, demonstrators hurled traffic cones at police, while officers used batons to beat and detain individuals. Bloodied protesters were seen in several clips.
Current Situation
Reports on social media suggest a significantly increased police presence in Pucheng in recent days, with no new evidence of protests. Authorities have urged the public not to “create, believe, or spread rumors.”
The incident highlights ongoing tensions in China over issues like bullying, transparency, and public trust in authorities.
