SA Premier Steven Marshall shouted down by protesters at China consulate opening

Angry protesters flock in hundreds to formal opening of China’s controversial South Australian consulate | WATCH

Hundreds of protesters descended on the normally peaceful Adelaide suburb of Joslin to shout down Premier Steven Marshall as he formally opened China’s South Australian consulate on Tuesday.

The 300-strong protest was led by members of the Uighur community, their numbers bolstered by dozens of residents of middle-class Joslin angry at having the imposing 5600sq m compound in their once-quiet suburb.

Fourth and Fifth avenues were filled with police cars and three dozen officers guarded the building as residents said they were disgusted their suburb had become a scene for such chaos. They remain upset that approval had been given by the previous Labor government for the consular mission.

Their anger was also directed at Mr Marshall for agreeing to open the consulate and take the stage with China’s ambassador to Australia, Cheng Jingye, who was accused last year by then federal trade minister Simon Birmingham of making “threats of coercion” against Australia.

As Mr Marshall spoke inside the marquee erected for the occasion, protesters chanted through the railings on the 3m security fence to disrupt the opening.

Two people were arrested for assault and public disorder.

One of the guests who attended the opening, speaking anonymously, said he was bemused the official party was not actually let into the consulate itself. “We were told we were there to launch the big new consulate but no one got to see inside,” the guest said.

“Instead, we were stuck in the marquee and they had to turn up the sound system to try to drown out the chanting from protesters.”

The protesters had disparate grievances, with the Uighurs joined by Hong Kongers, Taiwanese, Tibetans, Nepalese and Vietnamese community members, along with locals simply angry at the construction process and the high number of security cameras and motion sensors facing their homes and local playgrounds.

“This is Australian land,” shouted former Joslin resident Heather Adams, who returned to her old suburb to take part with her former neighbours.

Ms Adams, a former resident of Fourth Ave, said she didn’t know a single person in Joslin who was happy the consulate was there. “Just look at the damned thing — it’s a fortress,” she said.

A Chinese official inside the South Australian Chinese consulate in Adelaide during the protest. Picture: Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

“I know people who have lived here for 40 years and suddenly this monstrosity turns up with all its cameras and huge walls in a suburb where everyone else has to abide by planning laws because it’s a heritage area. We have sold our soul as a nat­ion to a communist regime that is trying to destroy South Aussie businesses and has no regard for human rights.”

Adelaide’s 1000-strong Uighur community is the largest in Australia and represented by the East Turkistan Australian Association. The organisation’s president, Nurmuhammad Majid, said the consulate should be closed. “We love this country — it has given us freedom from tyranny, so why do we let the country that has tortured us set up a home in the middle of Australia’s defence capital?” he said.

Protesters look through the high fence outside the South Australian Chinese consulate in Adelaide. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

South Australian senator Rex Patrick, who has accused the consulate of spying on defence industries, drew cheers from the crowd as he denounced Mr Marshall.

“He is literally sleeping with the enemy,” Senator Patrick said.

“China is targeting our wineries and farmers and the Premier of South Australia is in there rolling out the red carpet.”