Zhengzhou's 200,000 University Students’ Night Ride to Kaifeng Banned; Larger in Scale Than the "Blank Paper Movement"

On November 8, 2024, university students from Zhengzhou undertook a massive "night ride" to Kaifeng, stretching over dozens of kilometers and reportedly filling shared bicycles to the brim. (Internet image/ Dajiyuan)

[People News] In recent days, a trend of night bike rides from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng by university students in Henan Province has emerged, with tens of thousands participating. Reports indicate that on the night of November 8, over 200,000 people joined in, forming a riding convoy that extended for tens of kilometers.

According to a report by Central News Agency on November 9, while there were no reported protest activities, the scale of this night ride far exceeded the "Blank Paper Movement," prompting the CCP to issue an urgent ban and for universities in Henan to announce campus lockdowns.

As reported by Radio Free Asia, online sources disclosed that on the night of November 8, students from Zhengzhou again rented all available shared bicycles and rode to Kaifeng, 50 kilometers away. Videos showed the bike convoy stretching for tens of kilometers, with police and patrol cars hesitant to intervene.

Central News Agency noted that this marked the second time within a week that Zhengzhou students successfully carried out a massive group ride, with students from nearby provinces joining in. One student from Zhengzhou remarked, "I wouldn't dare go alone, but with so many people, I can."

The report highlighted that although this night ride was far more significant in scale than the Blank Paper Movement, there were no signs of anti-CCP rhetoric or behavior. Many students carried national flags and sang the Chinese national anthem, earning a warm welcome from Kaifeng residents.

Despite this seemingly patriotic nature of the event and the absence of dissent, Central News Agency reported that under the CCP's strict recent control measures, many rights-related protests often featured participants holding national flags and singing the national anthem, making the police more hesitant to crack down.

Online footage showed that after reaching Kaifeng, the students left the shared bicycles behind instead of riding them back to Zhengzhou. By morning, shared bicycles filled Kaifeng’s streets, rendering many roads impassable.

Online sources indicated that universities across Henan notified students to return to campus within a set time and subsequently announced lockdowns, banning students from leaving, which sparked dissatisfaction and protests among students.

One university in Henan issued a notice stating that a meeting had just concluded involving the Provincial Department of Education and the school regarding night riding, with over 200,000 participants already involved. It noted significant participation by non-students and hinted at potential "anti-social elements or foreign adversaries" joining in, invoking comparisons to the protests in Hong Kong and emphasizing the seriousness of the authorities’ response.

Some university administrators warned students in WeChat groups, "The Department has already called. This event has escalated into a political movement. Participation will ruin your life." Students were urged to contact those who went night riding and get them to return immediately.

Zhengzhou and Kaifeng traffic police issued a joint notice on the afternoon of November 9, stating that due to shared bicycles occupying parts of the Zhengzhou section of Zheng-Kai Avenue, temporary restrictions on non-motorized vehicle traffic would be imposed from 4:00 p.m. on November 9 to noon on November 10 to ensure road safety.

Online videos showed that Zheng-Kai Avenue was closed off, with only police cars visible on the road.

Bike-sharing companies Hello, Qingju, and Meituan immediately issued a joint announcement reminding users to adhere to bike usage regulations, stating, "Do not ride outside designated areas." They warned that after three minutes of repeated audio reminders, the bike would be "forcibly locked," with a dispatch fee charged accordingly.

The topic "Night Ride to Kaifeng Paused" and related discussions topped Chinese social media trending lists, igniting widespread debate.

The origin of the "Night Ride to Kaifeng" phenomenon dates back to June this year when four female students cycled over 50 kilometers from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng to try its famous soup dumplings. Their experience, shared on short video platforms, attracted significant attention and sparked imitation. The scale of night rides grew rapidly thereafter.

Previously, Kaifeng authorities had viewed the night rides as beneficial and announced that many tourist attractions would be open to students for free at night. On November 4, Kaifeng Mayor Wu Haiyan stated that the city would be fully prepared to handle large, spontaneous crowds, optimize night tourism routes, and ensure visitor safety.