Zhengzhou: Covid tracking app used to stifle protests against bank scam
Under the zero-Covid policy, without a health code it is impossible to travel or access public places. Current account holders at four banks in Henan have filed complaints after discovering they cannot withdraw their money. Many uarantined after their Qr code turned red. However, antigen tests show they are negative for the virus.
Rome (AsiaNews) - Hundreds of current account holders have taken to the streets in Zhengzhou, Henan, since May, demanding that authorities ensure the withdrawal of billions of yuan in savings from four banks under investigation for financial scams. Protesters in front of the local Banking Regulatory Authority were soon dispersed by police.
But the crackdown did not end there: after filing their grievances, the victims and their family members discovered that their "health Qr code" for tracking Covid-19 had turned red. This means mandatory quarantine, with a ban on access to transportation services, hotels and other public places.
In April, the four indicted banks blocked their online services without warning and customers were denied access to their accounts. Official media say the four institutions, controlled by Henan Xincaifu Group Investment Holding Co. are involved in illegal fundraising operations through online platforms. The investigation is still ongoing and it is unclear whether the funds have disappeared.
According to press reports, hundreds of current account holders have traveled to Zhengzhou in recent days to petition local authorities to withdraw their savings from banks. Upon getting off the train and plane, they discovered on their smartphone app that their health code had turned red, while that of other passengers remained green.
Local police banned the victims from going to the banks and regulators. With their health code red, they could not take public transportation or stay in hotels. Chinese media report that protesters were asked to remain quarantined in the hospital for 14 days, stay at the authorities' designated hotel, or leave Zhengzhou immediately escorted by police officers.
Affected account holders say some underwent repeated swab tests. Although they tested negative, their codes remained red. Zhengzhou authorities refused to reveal which government department imposed the health code red on the protesters, while allowing them to take the train back to their hometown-in violation of the strict zero-Covid policy.
Criticism of the authorities for using the Covid tracking system for the purpose of restricting citizens' freedom of mobility and maintaining so-called social stability has circulated on the web. Human rights activists have complained that the government uses the health code as a surveillance tool. Last November, activist Xie Yang had planned to visit blogger Zhang Zhan's mother regardless of police warnings, but his health code turned red at the airport. Zhang Zhan has long been detained for shedding light on the pandemic in Wuhan. This is the first time Chinese media, including the nationalist Global Times, have exposed the authorities' exploitation of health measures for social control purposes.
The incident highlights the risks of Chinese financial institutions, which attract funds through partnerships with innovative web platforms. In 2018, the massive collapse of these online financial instruments had sparked a series of protests across the country that ended in police crackdowns. The insolvency of real estate giant China Evergrande Group also sparked conflict between investors and law enforcement after the crisis broke out.
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