Violence erupts at anti-Chinese Communist Party protest at the University of Queensland

Video shows violence breaking out at an anti-Communist Party protest at a Brisbane university, with activists allegedly punched by “ultranationalist Chinese students”.

VIOLENCE has broken out at anti-Chinese Communist Party protest in Brisbane.

The protest at the University of Queensland saw students perform a “sit-in” at the uni’s Confucius Centre.

Images on Chinese social media platform Weibo show a stand-off between the students and counter protesters.

Pro Chinese students counter the UQ protesters.

A political protest at University of Queensland over China

Protester Drew Pavlou said the pro-Chinese students had attacked his group.

“We’ve been assaulted four or five times by Communist Party students,” he said on Facebook.

“I was actually punched in the head by two or three ultranationalist Chinese students, police are currently talking to them.”

The demonstration revolved around recent events in Hong Kong where mass rallies against Beijing’s influence have plunged the territory into political chaos.

Hong Kong has been rocked by more than a month of huge largely peaceful protests - as well as a series of separate violent confrontations with police - sparked by a law that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China and other countries. Picture: AP

A Chinese student, posting on Weibo, shows said there were few “Asian faces in the Hong Kong independence team.”

“The Chinese compatriots moved in and the audio released our national anthem,” she said.

“This moment is proud, but it is a bit sad and angry.”

A Queensland Police spokesman said 10 officers had been called “to a disturbance” at the university. No arrests were made.

Chinese students clash with pro-Hong Kong protesters at UQ after peaceful sit in #uq #hongkong #china pic.twitter.com/3hvRRyAHEI

— Nilsson Jones (@nilssonjones_) July 24, 2019

The university issued a statement to The Courier-Mail this afternoon.

“One of the roles of universities is to enable open, respectful and lawful free speech, including debate about ideas we may not all support or agree with.

“The University expects staff and students to express their views in a lawful and respectful manner, and in accordance with the policies and values of the University.

“Earlier today, in response to safety concerns resulting from a student-initiated protest on campus, the University requested police support.

“On the advice of police, protesters were requested to move on.

“The safety of all students is paramount to the University,” it read.

Originally published as Violence erupts at anti-Chinese Communist Party protest at the University of Queensland