Awkward silence: China official temporarily speechless after question on protests

China's foreign ministry defended the country's zero tolerance response to Covid while protests have increased across the country.  Subscribe to Guardian News on YouTube ► http://bit.ly/guardianwiressub The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian took a long pause and shuffled papers before answering a Reuters reporter's question on the dissent by defending the government's policy. China covid protests: authorities call for crackdown on ‘hostile forces’ ► https://www.theguardian.com/world/202... Blank paper, equations and alpacas: the symbols of China’s zero-Covid protests ► https://www.theguardian.com/world/202... The Guardian publishes independent journalism, made possible by supporters. Contribute to The Guardian today ► https://bit.ly/3uhA7zg Sign up to the Guardian's free new daily newsletter, First Edition ► http://theguardian.com/first-edition Website ► https://www.theguardian.com Facebook ►  / theguardian   Twitter ►   / guardian   Instagram ►   / guardian   The Guardian on YouTube: The Guardian ► https://bit.ly/guardiannewssubs Guardian Australia ► https://bit.ly/guardianaussubs Guardian Football ► https://bit.ly/gdnfootballsubs Guardian Sport ► https://bit.ly/gdnsportsubs Guardian Live ► https://bit.ly/guardianlivesubs #China #zerocovid #covid19 #BlankPaperRevolution #WhitePaperRevolution #Covid #News