May 24, 2025 4:24 pm
Full News

Violent Protests in China After Student’s Death

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.

Related News
Bomb Attack at Thai Festival Leaves Three Dead, Dozens Injured
India’s Rising Influence Under PM Modi’s Leadership
Trump Wants An Agreement With Putin-Kim
Trump Vows to End “Biden’s Invasion” with National Emergency and Military Action
Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles, Killing Five and Forcing Mass Evacuations
Tom Cruise Considering a Sequel to Days of Thunder
Related Posts
U.S. and Iran Hold Two-Hour Nuclear Talks in Rome, Agree to Reconvene
Hungary’s Orban Rejects EU Plan to Ban Russian Energy Imports, Citing National Interest
India Pressures Bangladesh Over Unpaid Power Bills Amid Rising Anti-India Rhetoric from Yunus-Led Government
Bangladesh’s Economy Faces Major Blow from U.S. Tariffs Imposed by President Trump: UNCTAD Report Warns of Long-Term Impact
Bangladesh Cancels Warship Purchase Under Indian Defense Loan in Response to Withdrawal of Trade Privileges
Open Letter to EU’s High Representative Kaya Kallas Highlights Grave Human Rights Violations in Bangladesh
More News

Threat to Bomb India’s Central Bank

India’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has received a bomb threat. On Thursday (December 13) afternoon, an email containing the threat was sent to the official website of the bank. This marks the second such threat in less than a month. According to news agency Reuters, a senior police officer in Mumbai […]

New Hampshire Passes HR 11 on Minority Abuse Under Yunus’s Interim Government in Bangladesh

The New Hampshire House of Representatives has introduced House Resolution 11 (HR 11), calling on the United States government to investigate serious allegations of human rights abuses in Bangladesh. The resolution, prompted by ongoing unrest and minority persecution in the South Asian country, highlights the alleged actions of Muhammad Yunus’s interim government, which assumed power […]

Golden Globe 2025: Selena, Winslet and Emilia Perez Lead with Nominations

Emilia Perez is making waves with 10 Golden Globe nominations ahead of the 2025 awards season. The film, Jacques Audiard’s captivating musical about a drug cartel, earned the most nominations of any film, including nods for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Director (Audiard), and acting recognitions for Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldana […]

Putin Congratulates Trump, Says He is Interested in Discussing War

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Donald Trump on being sworn in as the President of the United States. He also said that he is interested in discussing the Ukraine war with the Trump administration. Putin said these things in his address to the National Security Council of Russia on Monday. His speech was broadcast on […]

August 21 Grenade Attack Case: High Court Acquits Tarique Rahman and All Accused

Deepanwita Martin The High Court has acquitted all accused, including BNP’s Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman and former State Minister for Home Lutfozzaman Babar, in the widely debated August 21 grenade attack case. The attack, which targeted an anti-terrorism rally by the Awami League on Dhaka’s Bangabandhu Avenue 20 years ago, killed 24 people and injured […]

Trump’s Mass Deportation Pledge: A Second-Term Push for Sweeping Immigration Crackdown Faces Legal, Logistical Hurdles

If Donald Trump makes a return to the White House, he has committed to initiating a “mass deportation” of at least 11 million undocumented immigrants residing in the United States. This promise echoes his earlier campaign during his first term, which ultimately faced significant logistical and legal challenges, preventing it from being realized. This time […]

Despite Backlash, Katy Perry Embarks on Space Journey

Hollywood’s popular singer Katy Perry has faced significant backlash after her space journey aboard the Blue Origin rocket. However, according to various Hollywood media outlets, she remains completely unbothered by the criticism. On April 14, Katy Perry traveled to space alongside an all-female crew. Joining her were television host Gayle King, film producer Kerianne Flynn, […]

Lady Gaga Announces New Album’s Release Date

Lady Gaga has officially revealed that her highly anticipated seventh studio album, titled Mayhem, will be released on March 7. The announcement came through billboards that appeared overnight in New York and Las Vegas, teasing fans about the upcoming project. In a statement, Gaga shared that the album’s creation process involved her confronting her fears […]

Martial Law Withdrawn After Hours of Controversy in South Korea

Amid opposition from members of parliament, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol announced the sudden imposition of martial law late at night but retracted it within hours. This was reported by AFP, BBC, and Al Jazeera on Wednesday, December 4. According to Al Jazeera, President Yoon stated that martial law would be repealed following a parliamentary […]

Justin Trudeau Steps Down as Canada’s Prime Minister and Liberal Party Leader

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has officially declared his resignation as the head of the Liberal Party, following intense internal party pressures and a string of political challenges. In a press conference held in Ottawa, Trudeau stated he will continue to serve as Prime Minister until a new party leader is chosen. The announcement comes […]