May 4, 2025 5:07 am
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
Indonesia Unveils $235 Billion Investment Plan for 100 GW of Renewable Energy
Former Officials Demand Closed-Door Hearings on Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s Intelligence Nominee
Trump to Propose $100 Billion Arms Deal with Saudi Arabia
Nobel Laureate Bob Dylan Joins TikTok
Basketball legend praises Messi
Bangladeshi Islamic Leaders Meet Afghan Minister in Kabul
Related Posts
Zelensky Rejects Putin’s Ceasefire Proposal
Albanese Wins Again in Australian Election
Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Resigns
Proposal to Cut $163 Billion from U.S. Budget
Tesla’s European Sales Plummet in April, Deepening Crisis for Elon Musk
UN Workers Protest Layoffs in Geneva
More News

Barcelona Reach Copa Del Rey last Eight

Hansi Flick’s team crushed Real Betis in another dominating performance Barcelona played dominating football from the beginning to the end of the match. Real Betis were swept away by their continuous attack. Hansi Flick’s team reached the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey with another big win. Barcelona won 5-1 in the last 16 of […]

84 Lawyers Arrested on False Murder Charges Amid Growing Concerns Over Bangladesh’s Law and Order

Dhaka, April 6, 2025:In a concerning escalation, 84 lawyers have been arrested across Bangladesh on what are widely seen as false accusations of involvement in murders. The arrests, which have sparked outrage among legal and civil rights groups, are believed to be linked to the lawyers’ alleged political affiliations with the ruling Bangladesh Awami League. […]

First Look Revealed: When Is Squid Game’s Final Season Coming Out?

Netflix has officially announced that the highly anticipated third and final season of Squid Game will premiere on June 27, 2025. The news comes after the explosive season 2 finale, which left fans hanging with a major cliffhanger. Squid Game Season 2, released on December 26, 2024, was filmed back-to-back with the upcoming season, allowing […]

Messi’s Eyes At The World Cup 2026, Said Scaloni

There is still a year and a half left. A lot can happen in between. But first of all, you have to do the first thing, you have to take the place in the World Cup. Then you have to see fitness. Then you have to make the final decision. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni believes […]

Fleeing Driver Killed After Crashing Into JCPenney at Texas Mall; 5 Injured

A high-speed police chase in Texas turned deadly Saturday evening when a fleeing driver crashed into a crowded mall, injuring five people before being fatally shot by law enforcement.The pursuit began around 5 p.m. near Belton after Texas Highway Patrol troopers responded to a report of a possibly intoxicated driver. When officers attempted to stop […]

The Dark Prince and his Hawa Bhaban

This is the compilation of a three-part series on corruption, politics and violence during 2001-06 period based on secret US embassy documents. It was first published on Dhaka Tribune BNP leaders claim that all charges of corruption, election engineering and patronization of terrorist activities against the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman and his Hawa Bhaban […]

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich Resigns

Bezalel Smotrich, the far-right Israeli Finance Minister, has resigned amid coalition tensions within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. His resignation, which took place on Monday, further escalates the tension within Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition. Following his resignation, Smotrich will return to his seat in the Knesset, where he will continue to serve as a lawmaker for […]

‘Climate diplomacy’: Can smog bring India and Pakistan together?

Pakistan Punjab’s chief minister wants to start a dialogue with her Indian counterpart for a joint effort to tackle deadly air pollution, which has enveloped cities on both sides of the border. Islamabad, Pakistan – Relations between nuclear-armed neighbors Pakistan and India have largely remained tense and stagnant for years. Now, an unlikely catalyst is […]

Hrithik Roshan and Family to Star in Upcoming Netflix Documentary Series

Netflix is set to release a documentary series that will showcase three generations of the Roshan family and their significant influence on Hindi cinema. This series marks the first time the family has opened up about their incredible journey in the film industry. The documentary will follow the family’s legacy, starting with patriarch Roshan Lal […]

Series of Rocket Attacks on Israel

For the first time since the ceasefire agreement in November, multiple rockets were launched from Lebanon into Israeli territory on Saturday. In response, Israel carried out its most severe airstrikes in Lebanon in the past four months. The Israeli military stated that it targeted several rocket launchers and a command center controlled by Hezbollah, the […]