Protests Erupt in China Over Teen’s Death at Pucheng Vocational School

The death of 17-year-old Dang Changxin has led to accusations of a cover-up, violent clashes with police, and widespread public outrage.

Dang Changxin, a 17-year-old student, died on January 2 at Pucheng Vocational Technical School after falling from a dormitory window under disputed circumstances.
Authorities ruled the death an accident following an altercation with another student, but Dang’s family and activists have raised allegations of a cover-up, citing suspicious injuries and deleted phone data.
Protests outside the school turned violent, with demonstrators clashing with riot police, throwing objects, and accusing officials of withholding key evidence, including surveillance footage.
Human Rights in China, a U.S.-based group, reported that Dang’s family was denied full access to his body and alleged signs of a struggle in the dormitory prior to his death.
The demonstrations, described as rare in China, have drawn comparisons to the 2022 'White Paper' protests and highlight ongoing tensions over transparency and accountability in the country.