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Transcript/ScriptBlank Paper Protest {WEB}
HEADLINE: What Do Blank Pieces of Paper Mean in Protests?
TEASER: Blank pieces of paper has become a symbol of protest in China, saying more with less
PUBLISHED AT: 12/6/2022 AT 8:40 p.m.
BYLINE: Elizabeth Lee
CONTRIBUTOR: Calla Yu, Austin Ao
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER: Skype, Zoom, Reuters, Genia Dulot
VIDEO EDITOR: Elizabeth Lee
SCRIPT EDITORS: MAS, Bowman
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Skype, Zoom, Reuters, Genia Dulot
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB _X_ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:33
VID APPROVED BY: Jepsen
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: please add to the companion web article. ))
[[INTRO: Blank pieces of paper have become a symbol of protest for many people demonstrating on the streets of China and the U.S. in recent days. VOA's Elizabeth Lee explains.]]
((NARRATOR))
The streets in China are now quiet, and Beijing has started to ease COVID restrictions. But video from recent protests in China and abroad show demonstrators holding blank pieces of white paper. China expert Perry Link explains what some are calling the “white paper revolution.”
((Skype Bug))
((Perry Link, University of California Riverside China Scholar))
“The main purpose is to protest the authoritarianism.”
((End Skype Bug))
((NARRATOR))
In a repressive environment, it’s a vehicle to communicate what a protester wants to say but cannot, says human rights activist Yang Jianli.
((courtesy: Zoom))
((Yang Jianli, Founder of Citizen Power Initiatives for China)) ((In Mandarin)) ((Male))
“Under high political pressure and danger, people don’t say the words, but they understand each other. When seeing other people on the streets, they know what we want to say with just a look. Such consensus and the power generated from it, it's impossible to release it under high political pressure, but it's all revealed on the white paper. It’s very expressive, easily spread, with low risk and cost."
((end courtesy))
((NARRATOR))
The most recent protests in China are the largest anti-government activity in decades. Discontent has been simmering for months over a zero COVID policy that led to sporadic, often lengthy lockdowns. The anger boiled over after this deadly apartment fire in the Xinjiang region where locals say the building was locked due to COVID restrictions, apparently trapping some residents. Citizens across the country took to the streets, many armed with blank pieces of paper.
((Skype Bug))
((Perry Link, University of California Riverside China Scholar))
“It's especially articulate in a sense that it lets the reader infer the meaning and it’s defensive because if the police come and say ‘Hey, what did you say?’ I didn't say anything. There are no words you can pin on me.”
((End Skype Bug))
((NARRATOR))
Following the protests, China announced an easing of restrictions.
((Skype Bug))
((Perry Link, University of California Riverside China Scholar))
“The people below having effect on policy does work in this very crude sort of way.”
((End Skype Bug))
((NARRATOR))
But dissent is also quickly being stamped out through media censorship and arrests. Even if people had not protested China’s strict COVID policy, other catalysts for social unrest may loom.
((Skype Bug))
((Perry Link, University of California Riverside China Scholar))
“Sooner or later another trigger, yes, would have come along. The obvious place to look for another trigger is in the economy.”
((End Skype Bug))
((NARRATOR))
Frustrated young workers in China face an unemployment rate of nearly 20%. Whatever flashpoint may emerge, analysts say some Chinese citizens are now willing to push back against their government – with the power of a blank page.
((Elizabeth Lee, VOA News, Washington))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
in Washington D.C.
Embargo DateDecember 6, 2022 17:27 EST
Byline
((Elizabeth Lee, VOA News, Washington))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
