China is experiencing an unanticipated surge in protests driven by the distressed state of its property sector.
Freedom House data reveals over 1,777 property-related demonstrations occurred in China from June 2022 to October 2023.
Approximately 100 property-related protests are happening monthly, spanning 276 cities regularly participating in such demonstrations.
In August 2023, there were about 100 worker-led protests, three times the number from the same month a year earlier.
Remarkably, these protests are not isolated incidents; one in seven is linked to past protests, indicating the Chinese government’s failure to address the concerns of unpaid suppliers, contractors, and construction workers.
Millions of homebuyers are also expressing frustration after investing in unfinished house projects, while major developers like China Evergrande Group and Country Garden Holdings default on their borrowings.
China’s property sector, which contributes over a quarter of the world’s second-largest economy, has faced challenges in recent years, including a drying up of investments and a cooling housing market, resulting in declining prices.
Last month, both investment and property sales volume in China were 11% lower than the previous year, intensifying discontent among homebuyers.
Amidst intensified censorship and restrictions on free speech under President Xi Jinping, centralized or organized movements are difficult in China.
However, a decentralized movement is emerging, involving communication without direct coordination.
In 2022, homebuyers initiated a campaign to boycott mortgage payments, pressuring authorities to address their grievances.
This year, ongoing issues in China’s property sector have tested people’s patience, leading to a wave of protests that may intensify over time if the government remains unresponsive to dissent and fails to address the concerns of victims.
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