On camera, BBC journalist in China dragged to ground by cops during protests

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In photos: China's zero-Covid policy sparks rare widespread protests

The BBC was told Lawrence was "arrested for his own good" to keep him from contracting COVID-19 in the crowd.

"We do not consider this a credible explanation," the BBC added.

Meanwhile, Lawrence took to his own Twitter account to address the incident.

"I understand at least one local national was arrested after trying to stop the police from beating me," he tweeted.

A statement from the BBC on what happened to me in Shanghai last night while doing my job.

I understand at least one local national was arrested after trying to stop the police from beating me.

Thanks very much for the kind words and messages of concern. https://t.co/weoDAMakvO

— Edward Lawrence (@EP_Lawrence) November 28, 2022

China is witnessing a rare wave of demonstrations on streets against the government’s harsh zero-Covid measures.

Public anger has been fueled by deaths in a fire in Urumqi city, where residents said rescue efforts were obstructed because of COVIID-19 lockdowns.  

In some parts, protestors called for President Xi Jinping to step down -- an unprecedented show of defiance against his authoritarian government.  

Chinese authorities have clamped on COVID-19 cases with measures harsher than those seen anywhere in the world. 

For the residents, it meant endless quarantine and snap lockdowns and long quarantines for citizens. Shanghai, one of China's largest cities, was left grappling with food shortages because of a two-month lockdown.