Sentiments against Xi Jinping and the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) appear to have moved beyond anonymous messages on social media, with citizens increasingly expressing their anger through dissent banners in recent years.Recurrent display of banners has reflected latent political dissatisfaction and desire for change. “In the past few decades of the CCP’s rule, there have been many people who demand democracy. Although the voices from the people are very weak, there are always calls to break through the darkness and yearn for light,” said Guo Min, a former police officer turned political activist.

A few weeks ago, two banners were raised by a Chinese man in Beijing’s Sanlitunsubdistrict, with messages condemning the CCP and seeking political reforms. “The essence of the Communist Party is an anti-human evil cult that will bring endless disaster to China,” read the first banner. Another read, “End the Party ban, allow freedom to form political parties, free competition, free choice, and build a new China of freedom, humanity, and rule of law.”  

Notably, the banners were surfaced soon after the completion of the Fourth Plenum, a key political meeting, crucial for the 15th five-year plan. These banners were instantly removed.  But the pictures of these banners went viral on social media, bringing applauds from Chinese people. Shaonan Xu said the hosting banner during the politically sensitive event of Fourth Plenum showed “extraordinary personal courage and a deep longing for freedom.” 

Many people recalled the memories of similar incidence in 2022 when a Chinese person named Peng Lifa unfurled two banners on the Sitong Bridge in Haidian Districtcriticising Cultural Revolution and demanding democratic rights.Some interpreted the pattern of the protests as a sign of the CCP regime’s impending end.“Following the Sitong Bridge, it's Sanlitun, then the Erxian Bridge—is this the countdown to the downfall?” said X user TaoistHan. 

In April 2025, three banners demanding democracy in China were seen on an overpass in Chengdu. The banners read: "Without political system reform, there will be no national rejuvenation," "The people do not require a political party with unchecked authority," and "China does not need anyone to show the way; democracy is the way."  Anti-CCP regime messages surfaced soon in Kunming and Suzhou, saying “Xi Jinping must go!” and “Power is only accountable to its source. The Chinese people demand the right to vote.” 

A 22-year-old named Fang Yirong hoisted a pro-democracy banner from a footbridge in Hunan, even as loudspeakers in the background broadcast calls for Xi’s ouster."Tyranny is, by definition, terrifying.But authoritarian rule can't entirely suppress people's minds,” he said. "It doesn't matter what Xi Jinping does to suppress us; it won't stop democratic ideas from taking root, time and time again, in the minds of Chinese people.”  In 2022, Social worker Hendrick Lui unfurled a banner in Shenzhen, reading “Down with Xi Jinping! Defend Reform and Opening!”. 

Young activist Zhang Sheng disappeared after staging a brief protest at Peking University in 2023, calling for multi-party democracy, and no one knows what happened to him since.  Peng Lifa and Fang Yirong were also arrested, and there has been no news about them either.  Jiang Xu, a human rights activist, said the CCPwas paranoid and on high alert since those challenges to the authoritarian regime were present across the country. “Paying tribute to these warriors on the front lines fighting against the CCP's tyranny! - Only tyranny, no rioters, the people are innocent, long live freedom!” he said. 

Chinese netizens called the events of raising banners heroic acts that inspired millions to rise up against the dictatorship in China.  “Although it is cruel, it must be supported. The only way for the people to overcome fear is for more and more people to stand up,” Chinese national Louis Chongzhen.  Appreciating the Sanlitunact, US-based Chinese national DonghuaChenguang said “This is both courage and an epiphany, which is not common and must be supported; we must wish it well.” 

Chinese dissenter Jie Li Jian said people were angry due to the poor economy, rising unemployment, high inflation, and expensive medical care. “Currently, resistance against the Chinese government's totalitarian tyranny is surging across the country…despair is everywhere with slogans posted in various places resisting and shouting to overthrow the Communist Party, return human rights to us, all of which highlight the Communist Party's final desperate struggle before its death!” Jian said.