Chinese Security Officials Respond to Call for Protests

BEIJING — Skittish domestic security officials responded with a mass show of force across China on Sunday after anonymous calls for protesters to stage a Chinese “Jasmine Revolution” went out over social media and micro-blogging outlets.

Although there were no reports of large demonstrations, the outsize government response highlighted Beijing’s nervousness at a time of spreading unrest in the Middle East aimed at overthrowing authoritarian regimes.

The words “jasmine revolution,” borrowed from the successful Tunisian revolt, were blocked on Twitter-like blogging sites and Internet search engines while cellphone users were unable to send out text messages to multiple recipients. A heavy police presence was reported in several Chinese cities.

In recent days, more than a dozen lawyers and rights activists have been rounded up, and scores of dissidents have reportedly been placed under varying forms of house arrest. At least two lawyers are still missing, family members and human rights advocates said Sunday.

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