Global protests against Chinese Communist Party ahead of 70th anniversary
Tomorrow marks one of the most significant events for the Chinese government. But one ongoing battle threatens to ruin it all.
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Tomorrow marks a crucial event for China — the 70th anniversary of the communist rule.
Beijing is planning one of the most grand and tightly choreographed military parades in its history, all part of President Xi Jinping’s desire to showcase China as an almighty global superpower of the 21st century.
But to the country’s south, millions-strong protests in Hong Kong — sparked by a controversial extradition law — have morphed into a 17-week demonstration against the very image China is trying to project.
It’s the last thing the Chinese government needs as it attempts to project an image of military might and political power to the rest of the world.
GLOBAL PROTESTS ON WEEKEND OF 70TH ANNIVERSARY
In the lead-up to the 70th anniversary, fierce clashes broke out between protesters and riot police in Hong Kong this weekend.
The semi-autonomous city continues to boil with public fury over the gradual erosion of its freedoms and civil liberties by Beijing.
Footage and pictures show violent clashes between anti-China demonstrators and riot police, with young protesters refusing to give up their fight to preserve their unique freedoms.
Sunday marked some of the most intense clashes in weeks as police used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons at multiple locations for hours during running battles with protesters hurling rocks and petrol bombs.
Some hardcore activists vandalised subway stations, tearing down banners promoting the upcoming 70th anniversary celebrations and setting fire to makeshift barricades.
Many marchers were holding so-called “Chinazi flags”, a version of the Chinese flag with yellow stars arranged in the shape of a swastika.
Police spent hours firing tear gas and rubber bullets at different locations across the city centre and were seen making multiple arrests throughout the day.
The demonstrations against the Chinese government are no longer confined to Hong Kong.
Over the weekend, global rallies were staged across the world, including Australia, the US and parts of Europe, in solidarity with Hong Kong against the Chinese government.
Take this photo, from a protest in Poland’s capital of Warsaw yesterday, which shows a woman holding up a sign of Xi Jinping with a cross through his face.
The global “anti-totalitarianism” rallies extended to over 60 cities worldwide including Taipei, Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur, representing growing outrage towards the Chinese government.
Protests also took place in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, where more than 1000 black-clad protesters took to the streets, chanting “fight for freedom” and “stand with Hong Kong”.
It’s a sign that Hong Kong’s liberties are continuing to be a major headache for China, at a pivotal time for its government.
Hong Kong’s government has already scaled down the city’s National Day celebrations, cancelling an annual fireworks display and moving a reception indoors.
Despite security concerns, the government said Sunday that Chief Executive Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s embattled leader, would lead a delegation of more than 240 people to Beijing to participate in National Day festivities tomorrow.
WHY IS HONG KONG PROTESTING?
The Hong Kong people have been protesting for more than 17 consecutive weeks.
The demonstrations started as a protest against a proposed extradition bill that would see criminal suspects sent to China, but have since become more widely about opposition to the mainland’s growing political influence.
When Hong Kong was handed over from Britain to China in 1997, it was agreed the territory would maintain its unique freedoms and civil liberties for the next 50 years — a deal the protesters believe has not been honoured by Beijing.
The protesters believe China has gradually whittled away liberties since the handover, including by suppressing the “Umbrella Movement” in 2014 and by kidnapping five Hong Kong booksellers.
With the ongoing protests, they are now pushing for the right to elect their own government, for an independent commission to investigate police brutality, and they want the territory’s leader, Carrie Lam — who was hand-picked by the Chinese government — to resign.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON OCTOBER 1?
Beijing’s military parade will take place in Tiananmen Square in front of officials, select members of the public, and 188 military attaches from 97 countries.
The government says the focus is on demonstrating a “peace-loving and responsible China”, rather than flex its military muscle.
A total of 15,000 military personnel are said to be taking part, including 59 different elements of the military, while 580 pieces of military equipment and 160 aircraft are to be on display.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will showcase sophisticated new weapons, including the latest road-mobile DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missile, a second DF-17 ballistic missile system, two new unmanned aircraft and the H6-N, China’s latest strategic bomber.
China’s defence budget stands at about $A249 billion — the second-highest in the world after the United States.
Over the weekend, the Chinese government released a new white paper, entitled China and the World in the New Era, in which it said it was building a “strong military” to match its international standing with the rest of the world.
The document references the fight over Taiwan and disputed territorial claims in the South China Sea.
The parade will also seek to demonstrate China’s determination to maintain control over these issues.
— with wires
Originally published as Global protests against Chinese Communist Party ahead of 70th anniversary