The protests have spread across major cities including the capital Beijing, Chengdu, Lanzhou, Wuhan in the most widespread show of opposition against the ruling party in decades.
Meanwhile, China on Monday dismissed concerns over its controversial zero-COVID policy in the face of unprecedented demonstrations, which have spread to Beijing even as it reported close to 40,000 coronavirus cases and authorities scrambled to contain the fresh surge in infections and protests against the Xi Jinping regime.
The White House on Monday said it supported the Chinese people's right to peacefully protest against COVID-19 lockdowns and it did not see supply chain impacts from the demonstrations.
One by one Beijingers braved the cold Sunday night after word of a rally spread on social media a silent vigil for the victims of a deadly fire as well as a protest against China's harsh Covid-19 restrictions.