Several human rights groups protest against human rights abuses by Chinese authorities.
Pro-China groups protest in support of Xi Jinping’s visit to the US
While U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a summit meeting in San Francisco on the 15th (local time), various human rights groups and pro-China groups reportedly clashed as they held counter-demonstrations.
CBS in the U.S. reported, “Pro-China groups supporting President Xi’s visit to the United States and human rights groups protesting the Chinese government’s anti-human rights policies held joint protests and clashed throughout downtown San Francisco.”
Counter-protests took place around the Moscone Center in San Francisco, where the APEC summit is held, and near Pailoli Estate, the site of the US-China summit.
Xinjiang Uighur, Tibetan, and Hong Kong human rights groups led the anti-China protests. Protesters called for “Tibet independence,” “Guarantee human rights for Uyghurs,” and “Guarantee Hong Kong freedom,” while others chanted slogans such as “Oppose Chinese dictatorship” and “Xi Jinping is a dictator.”
On the other hand, hundreds of pro-China groups held demonstrations in support of the Chinese government near the St. Regis Hotel, where President Xi is staying, and the Hyatt Regency Hotel, where the Chinese delegation stays. Protesters comprised of local Chinese groups and Chinese students studying abroad played music praising China and waved Chinese flags.
In addition, some protesters waved Taiwanese flags and staged a demonstration calling for Taiwan’s independence, and got into a physical fight with pro-Beijing protesters chanting the slogan “One China.”
Some also claimed that the crowds of people and protesters who came out on the road when President Xi arrived the day before were people who were mobilized in exchange for money.
Police were concerned that the protests would lead to violence, so they took measures to keep protesters on both sides more than 10 meters apart.
In addition, various protests took place throughout San Francisco.
In particular, it was reported that hundreds of early morning protesters formed a human chain and attempted to block the entry of attendees to the APEC conference hall outside the security zone.
Protesters from the ‘Oppose APEC’ coalition, which consists of about 100 organizations, claimed that “the trade agreements concluded at the APEC summit and other places are exploiting workers.”
Meanwhile, the APEC meeting organizers have significantly strengthened the security level.
A 3m high steel fence was installed around the Moscone Center, the conference venue, and vehicle access was prohibited on the roads around the conference venue. Additionally, the general public was not allowed to enter except through designated entrances.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.