Authorities in the southwestern city of Chengdu step up security ahead of a visit by ruling Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping amid calls for 'flash mob' protests at the University Games.
Xi will attend the International University Sports Federation University Games' opening ceremony on Friday, and the security measures come after an online call for further protests linked to the "white paper" movement of November 2022 to target the event by calling for his resignation.
The move follows an online call for further protests linked to the " white paper" movement of November 2022 to target the event by calling for Xi's resignation.
In a July 9 GitHub post titled "Calling for White Paper Revolutionary Action at the Chengdu University Games," the author calls for a "flash mob" event during the Games, but warns people not to discuss the time and place for any actions online.
"Any anti-Xi Jinping groups are welcome to take part," the post said. "We welcome you even if you're a party member."
It called for rapid-fire protests to continue as long as Xi remains in power, but warned of agents provocateurs who could be infiltrating any plans to protest.
"Don't contact people you know online to do this ... and don't disclose any personal information."
Flash mobs?
It also predicted "large numbers of plainclothes cops" at the venue, citing "comrades in the system."
"Many protesters are also preparing," the post said. "If you can't make the flash mob event in Chengdu, please help spread the word online," the post said.
"Instead of being slaves to the dictator Xi Jinping, we can each of us take one small action to bring the dictator down," it said.
A Chengdu resident who gave only the surname Fang told Radio Free Asia in an interview on Tuesday that security in the city has already been visibly stepped up.
"The security measures on the streets around the University Games venues and other areas have already started," Fang said. "They're starting in advance."
A resident of Chengdu's Wuhou district who gave only the surname Yang said Xi is reportedly spending two days in the city.
"They told us here that you can't drive a Tesla anywhere inside the restricted area," Yang said. In June 2022, authorities in the northern seaside resort of Beidaihe also banned Teslas during a top secret summer conference by ruling Chinese Communist Party leaders in the town.
A Chengdu resident who gave only the surname Wang said the authorities want to make sure nobody displays any anti-government slogans during the event.
"Deep down, they're still afraid," she said.
No knives and scissors
In October, police detained a lone protester who hung two protest banners – one of which called for the removal of Chinese leader Xi Jinping on a Beijing overpass on the eve of the ruling party's 20th National Congress.
Meanwhile, a courier company posted in a WeChat group saying it has been forbidden to ship "flammable, suspicious and chemical items" are now barred from delivery services.
The sale of kitchen knives and scissors will also be banned, according to a notice issued by Wang Mazi Kitchenware via social media.
A Chengdu Post Office employee who gave only the surname Tan said new rules have been put in place governing packages in recent days.
"It's stricter, but not as strict as during the National People's Congress," Tan said. "Security checks are required ... this is a big event ... and there is a fear of explosives."
Calls to branches of the Yuantong courier service in Shandong, Beijing and Sichuan rang unanswered during office hours on Tuesday.
Current affairs commentator Bi Xin said this is the first University Games to be held since the three years of intense restrictions under Xi Jinping's zero-COVID policy.
"They have to make sure everything is perfect for him to attend," Bi said. "Some students held a ' white paper' revolution a while back, and they don't know if they'll take this opportunity to do something again."
"They must be very nervous," he said.
The Games will run from July 28 to Aug. 8. and showcase competition in 18 sports including archery, artistic gymnastics, athletics, badminton, basketball, diving, fencing, judo, rhythmic gymnastics, rowing, shooting sports, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, water polo and wushu.
Translated by Luisetta Mudie .