Shanghai authorities ramped up security in the city on Monday after hundreds of people protested against COVID-19 measures.

There was no sign of fresh protests on Monday in Shanghai as barriers were placed around the city center.

On Sunday, protesters chanted slogans against President Xi Jinping and the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Demonstrations spread to various cities outside of China on Monday, as people showed solidarity with the protesters. Small-scale vigils and protests, organized by Chinese expats and overseas students, were seen in cities including London, Paris, Tokyo and Sydney.

Police detain protesters — report

Chinese police have detained three people at a site where demonstrations had been held over the weekend, the Agence France-Press (AFP) news agency reported.

A police officer told AFP that one of those detained "didn't obey our arrangements."

Police were also ordering people to delete photos form their phones, AFP said.

Beijing slams social media posts about Urumqi fire

Posts circulating on Chinese media platforms have claimed that COVID-19 lockdowns hampered rescue efforts after a blaze broke out in Urumqi, the capital of the northwestern Xinjiang region.

The fire killed at least 10 people in apartment building in the city, where some people have been locked in there homes for four months.

At a press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said: "On social media there are forces with ulterior motives that relate this fire with the local response to Covid-19."

British minister condemns BBC journalist's arrest in China

British Business Secretary Grant Shapps criticized Chinese police, calling the arrest and beating of a BBC journalist "unacceptable" and "concerning."

"Whatever else happens, freedom of the press should be sacrosanct," Shapps said.

The BBC said that journalist Ed Lawrence had been "arrested and handcuffed while covering the protests in Shanghai" on Sunday. "He was held for several hours before being released. During his arrest, he was beaten and kicked by the police."

On Monday, a correspondent for Switzerland's national broadcaster RTS was approached by police while reported live from China.

"I will be taken away to the police station after this," RTS reporter Michael Peuker said live on camera.

The broadcaster reported that Peuker identified himself as a journalist, after which the police officers left.

Chinese stocks register losses amid protests

Hong Kong and Chinese shares have started the week with significant losses amid the protests against COVID-19 restrictions.

The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong dropped by 1.57%.

In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.75% and the Shenzhen Composite Index lost 0.51%.