Hundreds of police have been deployed in several major Chinese cities to quell protests that have gripped the country in recent days over Covid-19 policies and restrictions on freedom.

On the streets of the capital Beijing and other major cities, such as Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hangzhou, the police contingent has increased.

Security forces are increasingly stopping bystanders and checking their phones for suspicious content or software, including VPNs that can be used to bypass internet censorship. In Beijing, police are particularly focused on securing the Liangma River Promenade near the diplomatic quarter.

In the financial center of Shanghai, barriers were erected along Wulumuki Road to prevent large crowds from gathering, as happened over the weekend. CNN published a video showing a clash between protesters and police in Guangzhou, in the south of the country. You can watch the recording here.