A spokesman for the central government's top advisory body yesterday rejected the notion that an uprising inspired by the 'jasmine' revolts in Egypt and Tunisia could break out in China. He was the first high-ranking official to respond directly to fledgling protests in mainland cities on Sunday.
'I can tell you in full confidence that kind of revolution will not happen in China,' said Zhao Qizheng, a spokesman for the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Zhao's comments came as a renewed call for activism was being distributed online, appealing for demonstrations in 18 cities this Sunday and as news broke of further arrests in relation to last weekend's protests.
Meanwhile, Vice-President Xi Jinping, wrapping up a four-day study session on strengthening social control, told provincial government and military leaders to investigate new methods to 'work with the masses through every aspect and every segment of social management to maintain social harmony by eliminating social contradictions at their source'.
Xi made no direct reference to the recent protests.
An open letter posted on the US-registered blog boxunblog.com encouraged mainlanders to go for a 'walk' at 2pm every Sunday in prominent locations across the country.
