Research shows that the number of protest events in China in the third quarter of this year increased by 45% compared to the same period last year, reaching 1,392 cases, with a significant surge in incidents involving the “threat of jumping off buildings” to defend rights. This phenomenon has sparked discussions across the internet.
According to research by the Alternative Voices website under Freedom House, protest events in China continue to rise. In the third quarter of 2025, Alternative Voices recorded 1,392 protest events, a 45% increase compared to the same period in 2024, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of year-on-year growth.
The report indicates that in the third quarter, the majority of protests were led by workers (38%), property owners (29%), and villagers (15%), with other diverse groups such as parents, students, investors, consumers, religious minorities, and activists driving the remaining protests. Guangdong province had the highest number of protest events (16%), followed by Henan, Hunan, Hebei, and Shandong.
Schools have become common venues for protest activities, as concerns over campus safety have led to large-scale demonstrations.
In August of this year, following a brutal campus bullying incident in Jiangyou City, Sichuan Province, the authorities’ handling of the case and attempts to suppress protests sparked public dissatisfaction. This action eventually escalated into massive street demonstrations, with participants shouting slogans like “Oppose Bullying” and “Restore Our Democracy”. However, the protests were ultimately suppressed by the authorities.
Protest events in China have been on the rise over the past two years. Since data collection began in June 2022, Alternative Voices has recorded a total of 12,331 protest events.
Even educational institutions have not been spared. From June 2022 to the present, protests have occurred 168 times across various levels of schools and local education departments, relating to issues such as wage arrears, school mergers, and other grievances. The average number of protests per year increased from 40 in 2023 and 2024 to 87 in 2025 (only counted until September).
The report points out that the significant contraction of the real estate market in China has led local governments into financial crises, with officials diverting funds from education and other public services. Teachers opposing pay cuts, buyers of unfinished properties, and unpaid construction workers are all victims of the collapse of China’s real estate-driven economic model. Additionally, schools are facing financial issues due to declining populations.
An increasing number of people are resorting to the threat of jumping off buildings as a form of protest, with protesters standing or sitting on the edges of rooftops or other high places to demonstrate against injustices they have faced.
Since June 2022, Alternative Voices has documented 307 events using “threatening to jump off buildings” as a protest tactic. Nearly all of these protests are related to economic grievances, such as wage arrears or unfinished buildings. The occurrence rate of jump-off protests is particularly high in Guangdong province, notably in Shenzhen.
The monthly occurrence rate of jump-off protests has quadrupled from 2022 to 2025, and this form of protest has spread from the workforce to other groups. The report suggests that this may be due to increased public awareness, prompting other groups to emulate the tactic, or perhaps because public dissatisfaction with the overall economy in 2025 has significantly increased, leading different groups to try riskier protest methods.
On social media platforms, the data from Alternative Voices has sparked heated discussions among netizens:
“China undercurrents surging.”
“The Communist Party wants to force the Chinese people to their deaths, and the Chinese people use death to resist.”
“Border-crossing resistance is becoming mainstream. Some have indeed defended their rights through this, while others have been arrested or silenced to expose the truth of the regime, but there is still a long way to go for unified demands (against the CCP).”
“Unless it’s a rebellion by the high-ranking officials or the second-generation reds in China, all others are suppressed by force.”
“If the Olympics had an event for jumping off buildings, then China would surely win gold in that.”
“Tear down the Great Firewall, ignite a nation-wide resistance, and the CCP will perish without a fight.”
“What’s good about a country where you can’t even get paid for your labor?”
Political analyst Li Lin remarked to Epoch Times that in many ordinary rights defense events, the public initially seeks to uphold their individual rights, but under specific circumstances, these events can easily become the trigger for political change. For instance, the spark of events like the “Arab Spring” movement was a Tunisian street vendor facing difficulties making a living and being treated rudely by officials, who ultimately self-immolated during protests.
In addition to individual rights defense protests, in recent years, an increasing number of protest events in China are directed against the Chinese Communist Party for the sake of the nation.
Shortly after the conclusion of the Fourth Plenum of the 20th Central Committee of the CCP, on October 25, banners criticizing the CCP were hung on the streets of Sanlitun in Beijing. The slogans read: “The essence of the Communist Party is anti-human, anti-humanity cult, they will bring endless disasters to China.” “Lift the Party ban, allow freely forming parties, free competition, free choice, establish a new China based on freedom, human nature, and the rule of law.”
This marks the latest public anti-CCP incident following Peng Lifas hanging of anti-CCP banners at the Sito Bridge in Beijing before the 20th National Congress of the CCP.