Violent protests have shaken the northwestern region of Shaanxi, China, after the death of a teenage student sparked public outrage and accusations of an official cover-up. Videos from the scene, verified by CNN, reveal intense confrontations between protesters and riot police outside Pucheng Vocational Technical School.
In the footage, demonstrators hurled objects, including batons and even a fire extinguisher, at the authorities, shattering glass and escalating tensions. Riot police responded with force, beating some protesters and forcibly restraining others.
The unrest stems from the death of a third-year student, identified by his surname, Dang. Authorities have stated that Dang’s death, which occurred on January 2, was accidental and not criminal. However, allegations of foul play and cover-up have gained traction on social media.
Local officials reported that Dang had a verbal and physical altercation with a first-year student, Guo, over a noise disturbance in the dormitory. According to a statement circulated by state media, the incident was resolved by a school official. Hours later, Dang was found dead on the ground beneath his dormitory balcony. Officials claimed that a wooden stool was discovered under an open window with a removed metal mesh screen, suggesting Dang may have fallen.
Human Rights in China, a US-based activist group, has raised serious concerns about “suspicious circumstances” surrounding Dang’s death. The group highlighted witness accounts of signs of a struggle in his dormitory and suspicions that he might have been pushed from the roof. Dang’s family has rejected the official explanation, alleging that photos from his phone were deleted. Their skepticism has fueled widespread anger on social media, amplifying calls for justice.
The protests, which began Monday, underscore growing public frustration and mistrust of authorities, particularly after the “White Paper” demonstrations in 2022, where citizens challenged Beijing’s strict Covid-19 policies. While it remains unclear if the protests continued throughout the week, the incident highlights deep-seated tensions in the region.
As calls for accountability grow louder, this case has once again spotlighted concerns about transparency and human rights in China.