Pensioners in China protest against insurance reform

Hundreds of retirees protested this Wednesday in two cities of China against a health insurance reformaccording to testimonies collected by AFP and videos on social networks.

A crowd gathered in Wuhan (center) at the entrance to Zhongshan Park, a popular place for a walk in this city of 11 million inhabitants, according to witnesses interviewed by AFP.

A witness confirmed that hundreds of elderly people also demonstrated in the streets of Dalian (northeast). The demonstration began in the morning and dispersed in the afternoon.

“Give us our health insurance money back!” the chant is heard in a video taken in Dalian, which the AFP was able to geolocate in People’s Square, where several official buildings are located.

Under a health insurance reform in China, the monthly benefit granted to retirees was reduced from February 1.

The health insurance reform in China is a major project that has been progressively implemented since 2021.

“If Beijing fails to apply it correctly, risks aggravating social tensions and anger” against the government, warn analysts at SinoInsider, a center specializing in Chinese politics and economics, in a note.

Demonstrations are rare in Chinawhere the authorities strictly enforce public order laws and protest movements quickly die down.

However, various reasons for exasperation, in particular due to the sanitary restrictions against covid-19, have motivated some protests in recent months, despite the risk of arrests.

The health insurance reform comes as local government finances are being tested after three years of costly zero-covid policy. (YO)