Across the world last weekend, pro-Beijing demonstrators took to the streets. In London, Melbourne and Calgary, people waved the five-starred red flag and belted out the Chinese national anthem. It was a display of national pride towards China. But marchers also wanted to send a message to Hong Kong: those protesting against the Chinese government should be ashamed of themselves.
Take this video, filmed in Toronto. Pro-Beijing marchers chant ‘national sell-outs’ – a reference to demonstrators in Hong Kong – at the pro-Hong Kong marchers opposite:
加拿大多伦多留学生和华人大骂港独废青是卖国贼 pic.twitter.com/lh0XaANOR5
— 热门表哥 (@westernmedia_sb) August 18, 2019
Their show of solidarity with the Chinese government – and opposition to Hong Kongers – might seem surprising to a Western audience. But back home, mainlanders swelled with pride at overseas students out defending Beijing. On WeChat, a messaging app popular in China, my family friends shared this comment thread:
‘We are proud of you! Mother China has your back, and you are China’s future! Let us strive together for a stronger China’
Other comments below were equally passionate:
‘We are Chinese – China will always be in our hearts!’
‘Every time the West thinks China will completely collapse, the Chinese people immediately unite, bringing with them incomparable patriotism to protect the nation’
Unlike the rest of the world, many Chinese have been utterly unimpressed by the protests in Hong Kong.
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