Earlier this month, small groups of students had begun cycling overnight along the highway between the capital of Henan and Kaifeng, known for its steamed dumplings. A way for young people, affected by the crisis, to travel economically. However, in a short time thousands of people began to join and the authorities decided to impose a ban, starting with the universities.
Zhengzhou () – The Chinese authorities have banned bicycle tours for university students who, leaving Zhengzhou, capital of the central province of Henan, headed at night to Kaifeng, a historic city located 50 kilometers to the east, a route which requires about five hours. The initiative had emerged spontaneously and in a short time had gathered thousands of followers, which put police and government officials on alert.
On Friday afternoon a column of approximately 200,000 cyclists jammed the main road between the two cities. The police subsequently decided to close universities in Zhengzhou and ordered students to remain on campus over the weekend. Despite the broad participation, the students did not show signs of protest or display slogans or demands. Some waved national flags and sang the Chinese anthem, expressions that in recent years have begun to be seen as a provocation and signs of dissent.
The university had advised students against participating in the initiative, citing the possible presence of “hostile foreign forces.” Bike-sharing services had also announced that bikes would be automatically locked if used to leave city limits. However, online videos show that many students continued on foot towards Kaifeng.
Students from other areas and ordinary citizens had recently joined the initiative, which began in early November as a spontaneous activity. Several groups of students had organized to cycle the route to Kaifeng overnight to try the city’s famous steamed dumplings, and then return by train the next morning. In a short time, the activity became a fad among the young people of Zhengzhou, to the point that initially the Kaifeng authorities had opened parks and scenic spots for free to students. But on the night from Friday to Saturday, the authorities of the historic city invited young people to show “responsibility towards society.”
In recent years, “special forces-style” travel, as it is called in China, has become increasingly popular. Young people try to visit the greatest number of places in the shortest time, and especially money, possible, emulating the spirit of a special agent who must overcome his own limits.
Online comments suggest that the authorities’ concern stems from the economic crisis and social tensions: many fear that large gatherings of young people – including a growing number of unemployed people – could degenerate into protests. A group of experts close to the government had already warned that youth unemployment could give rise to political problems.
At the end of October, during Halloween celebrations, Shanghai police also dispersed street parties, forcing young people to remove their costumes and arresting participants. Some costumes, such as that of the emperor, are considered satirical messages, critical allusions to the political situation in China, controlled by the single party.
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