Chineese Tanks Roll

TANKS have rolled onto the streets of China as Xi Jinping orders a clampdown on the 'White Paper' anti-lockdown protests.

Their appearance is a chilling echo of the Tiananmen Square massacre when troops were used to brutally suppress demonstrations – prompting one man’s iconic protest by standing in front of a tank.

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One of the tanks spotted on the streets of ChinaCredit: twitter/@@fangshimin

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The tanks rolled through the city of XuzhouCredit: Twitter/@TechVnn

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Police have been put in force in several cities including ShanghaiCredit: AFP

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The protest by 'Tank Man' became an iconic symbol of resistanceCredit: Charlie Cole

Footage of the tanks has been widely shared after several days of historic protests in China, in which demonstrators waved blank sheets of white paper in symbolic protest against censorship.

Hundreds have taken to the streets in eight cities - including Beijing and Shanghai - after the deaths of 10 people in an apartment fire was blamed on Xi Jinping's draconian zero-Covid lockdown.

China’s vast security apparatus now has swung into action to flood the streets with police and identify those who have been taking part in the demonstrations.

A column of tanks was spotted in the eastern city of Xuzhou, leading to fears they could be heading to put down the protests.