HONG KONG: On Tuesday, no protests were reported in Beijing against strict government anti-pandemic measures as police were out in force with temperatures in the region below freezing. Shanghai, Nanjing and other cities where online calls to gather had been issued were also reportedly quiet.

Over the weekend, protests against China's unusually strict anti-virus regulations spread to several cities. Authorities loosened some rules, ostensibly in an effort to appease the populace. However, the government made no indication that it would abandon its larger coronavirus strategy. Analysts anticipate that the government will quickly stifle the dissent.

Police were checking to make random checks on phones at a subway station in Shanghai, an eyewitness said. The person declined to give his name out of fear of retribution, as he was en route to a planned protest.

In Hong Kong, about 50 students from mainland China sang at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Hiding their faces to avoid official retaliation, the students chanted "No PCR tests but freedom!" and "Oppose dictatorship, don't be slaves!".

The protests were the largest in the territory since a pro-democracy movement began last year. Hong Kong is part of China but has a separate legal system from the mainland.

The protests were sparked by anger over the deaths of 10 people in a fire in the northwestern city of Urumqi. Some local authorities eased restrictions Monday without mentioning the protests or the criticism of Xi.

Beijing will no longer set up gates to block access to apartment compounds where infections are found. Passages must remain clear for medical transportation, emergency escapes and rescues. Guangzhou is the biggest hot spot in China's latest wave of infections. The U.S. Embassy advised citizens to prepare for all eventualities.

Urumqi, where a fire occurred, and another city in the Xinjiang region in the northwest announced markets would reopen this week. "We encourage all U.S. citizens to keep a 14-day supply of medications, bottled water, and food for yourself," the U.S. Embassy says.

The number of daily cases in China dipped slightly to 38,421 after setting new records over recent days.

The ruling party newspaper People's Daily called for its anti-virus strategy to be carried out effectively, indicating Xi's government has no plans to change course.

Some people in some areas have been confined at home for up to four months and say they lack reliable access to food and medical supplies.
Of those, 34,860 were among people who showed no symptoms, indicating the government's strategy is working. The ruling party newspaper People's Daily called for its anti-virus strategy to be carried out effectively, indicating Xi's government has no plans to change course.

Protesters in Hong Kong and mainland China put up posters and sang songs from the musical "Les Miserables" to show their opposition to China's economic reforms. Most hid their faces behind blank white sheets of paper, but one student said she wanted to show her support. "I care about things I couldn't get to know in the past," she said.

Hong Kong University students held up blank sheets of paper and flowers to pay tribute to the victims of the fire in Urumqi. Police cordoned off an area around the event to avoid violating pandemic rules. Security guards videotaped the event but there was no sign of police. Hong Kong has its own anti-virus strategy that is separate from the mainland.

Protests also occurred over the weekend in Guangzhou near Hong Kong, Chengdu and Chongqing. Most protesters have complained about excessive restrictions, but some turned their anger on President Xi Jinping. The B B C said one of its reporters was beaten, kicked, handcuffed and detained by Shanghai police.

A Chinese Ministry official says the BBC reporter failed to present his press credentials. An AP journalist was detained but later released, and a Swiss broadcaster RTS reporter was briefly detained before being released.