BEIJING—More Chinese cities including Urumqi in the far west announced an easing of coronavirus curbs on Sunday after unprecedented protests against restrictions last weekend.
Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang region and where the protests first erupted, will reopen malls, markets, restaurants, and other venues from Monday, authorities said, ending strict lockdowns after months.
There was no sign of any significant protest this weekend, although police were out in force in the Liangmaqiao area of Beijing and in Shanghai around Wulumuqi Road, which is named after Urumqi. Both sites saw protests a week ago.
A deadly fire last month in Urumqi sparked dozens of protests against COVID-19 curbs in over 20 cities after some social media users said victims had been unable to escape the blaze because their apartment building was locked down….