As China prepares to hold the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CCP), which is widely expected to approve a third term for President Xi Jinping, anti-China protests were held all across the world to mark the National Day of China on October 1.
In Tokyo, hundreds of Japanese citizens came out on the streets to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Tibet, Xinjiang, Mongolia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
Early morning joggers around the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo city were greeted by slogans criticising China for its brutal crackdowns in all minority regions. This was a protest against the continued denial of fundamental human rights, which they promised in the Chinese constitution.
Posters also spoke of the damage China has caused to Japan in the past fifty years, despite Japanese companies’ having helped establish China’s modern industrial foundations.
Later in the day, activists from across Japan, as well as representatives of the minority ethnic communities from China, walked to the centre of Tokyo carrying banners, flags, and posters denouncing China.
They urged the rest of the world to wake up to the harm China is causing. The demonstration was held around the twin themes of ‘nothing to celebrate’ and ‘day of shame’, both sentiments that echo strongly not just in Japan, but increasingly across the world.
Just a couple of weeks ahead of the 20th National Congress of the CCP, such a gathering showed unequivocally that despite businesses continuing to rely on China, the people of Japan wanted to send out a strong message to China and the CCP: respect the people and their rights. Without these, your power has no legitimacy, and your leadership will have no legacy worth the name.
A small protest was also organised in front of the Chinese Embassy in Vienna, Austria. Protesters were carrying anti-CCP posters and the Tibetan flag.
Tibetan Diaspora along with President Nawang Lobsang Taglung of Tibetan organisation in Vienna held a symbolic protest. Nawang said, “the fight for Freedom of Tibet will continue in future”.
