China Vows to Crack Down on ‘Hostile Forces’ as Police Deter Protests
- Comments from law-enforcement body are warning to protesters
- Heavy police presence appears to deter further demonstrations
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China’s top law enforcement body pledged to crack down on “hostile forces” and their “sabotage,” comments that appeared intended as a warning to protesters angry about Covid-19 policies and to provide justification for government efforts to suppress dissent.
Security czar Chen Wenqing used a meeting of the Communist Party’s Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission to urge law-enforcement agencies to take strong measures to safeguard national security and social stability, according to a statement. “Illegal and criminal acts that disrupt social order” won’t be tolerated, the commission said at the meeting, which was held on Monday and not disclosed until late Tuesday.