Asian shares mixed, oil higher after Russia price cap pact

China recently saw several days of protests across cities including Shanghai and Beijing as public frustration with the COVID-19 curbs boiled into unrest. Some demanded Chinese President Xi Jinping step down in an extraordinary show of public dissent in a society over which the ruling Communist Party exercises near total control.

It is interesting the sudden amnesia the western press has.

Back in 2012, then again I'm 2014 and 2016 most news outlets were reporting on how China functions with around 500 protest going on on daily at any given time.

That is what I said 500 protest daily.

It seems it is part of the system most end without incident others end with the police cracking down.

It is a form of how to get change in a one party state system.

Over the years these protests have stopped certain projects, gotten roads built, had corrupt officials arrested, etc...

The usual complaints are housing, power infrastructure and living conditions in general.

These protests are no different as most are demanding a return to normal or at least proper food and drinks in better living conditions if they are going to be confined.

The difference today is the western governments looking for a distraction on how badly they handle the Russian and Ukraine situation plunging the world economy in to a tailspin.

Wow... Such a shock... European consumers will be paying more for their energy to hurt Putin by giving him more money.

Shouldn't really be a surprise as almost every oil and shipping analyst has predicted exactly this.