Chinese old people who are furious about the reform of the insurance system, “Destroy the government” and slogan “Gray hair revolution” demonstration that started in Wuhan, the sacred place of the revolution (1/6) | JBpress (JBpress)

“Grey-haired revolution” demonstration started in Wuhan, the holy land of revolution

The Yangtze River flowing through Wuhan, China (File photo, December 31, 2022, Photo: Archyde.com/Aflo)

(Kaori Fukushima: Journalist)

The demonstration by retired factory workers in Wuhan, China has become a hot topic. Because the words “overthrow the reactionary government” were shouted in the sprechchor.

In the “blank paper revolution”, which started at a university in Nanjing in November last year (2022), young people held up a blank slate and resisted the zero-coronavirus policy. Do it!” there was a cry. This time, there was a call to overthrow the government in the “white-haired revolution” in which retired elderly people stood up. Moreover, the location is Wuhan, the “sacred place of the revolution”.

Xi Jinping decided to continue his third term as general secretary, declared a decisive victory against the new corona the other day, and is about to face the National People’s Congress in March with a perfect system. However, this social turmoil is in a situation that could trip them up.

Grey-haired retirees cry out to overthrow the government

The “white hair revolution demonstration” took place in Wuhan on February 8th and 15th. The purpose of the demonstration is to reverse China’s ongoing nationwide health insurance reforms.

The first demonstration was held on February 8 by former factory workers, mostly retired workers from the state-owned Wuhan Iron and Steel Company. They gathered in front of the city government and held a demonstration with slogans against the new medical insurance policy (Iho Shinsei). The number of visitors has easily exceeded 10,000, and it has attracted attention both at home and abroad.

Protesters say the health care reform that began on February 1 has had a negative impact on nearly two million retired workers in Wuhan alone. If the government does not resolve the issue by withdrawing this policy, it said, it will launch a large-scale protest on the 15th. It was raining on the 8th, and the square in front of the government city hall was packed with retired workers, blocking the entrance of the city hall. There was a sense of tension in the premises, with the police setting up strict security.