Protests against strict COVID-19 restrictions have broken out in China as the country logged a record number of coronavirus cases for the third straight day.

The Chinese government says it confirmed around 34,000 new cases in all provincial-level regions and elsewhere on Friday. The tally in Beijing exceeded 2,000 for the first time.

Public frustration over the government's zero-COVID policy is mounting. Video clips purportedly showing protests in Urumqi, the central city of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, have gone viral online since Friday.

Footage provided by Reuters news agency shows a large number of people apparently shouting demands that lockdowns be lifted, and facing off with officials in white protective suits.

A fire broke out in a high-rise apartment building in Urumqi on Thursday, leaving ten people dead. The incident led to claims that COVID-19 lockdown measures hampered rescue operations, which local authorities denied in a news conference.

Footage that purportedly shows protesters taking to the streets in other places, including the inland city of Chongqing, has also been circulating online.