Angry protesters descend on opening of controversial Chinese consulate in Adelaide


‘It’s an invasion!’ Angry protesters descend on opening of a HUGE and controversial Chinese consulate in a leafy Australian suburb

  • Hundreds of protesters arrived at the consulate opening in Joslin, Adelaide
  • Groups from Uighur, Tibetan, Vietnamese and Taiwan communities protested
  • Residents have also condemned the consulate that has 3m tall walls and CCTV 

Hundreds of furious protesters have descended on a new Chinese consulate during its official opening in a quiet Adelaide suburb.

The massive 5600sqm compound was built in Joslin, just minutes away from the city’s CBD, with some likening the three-metre high walls and CCTV cameras to a ‘fortress’.

Among the large crowd at the protest were members of South Australia’s Uighur community, along with Taiwanese, Tibetans, Nepalese and Vietnamese nationals.

Premier Steven Marshall addressed the crowd inside the consulate for the official opening while the roar of protesters echoed throughout the leafy street.

Police cars filled the street and two protesters were arrested for assault and public order offences. 

Hundreds of furious protesters have arrived at the controversial opening of a Chinese consulate in a quiet Adelaide suburb

Protesters are seen at the opening of the Chinese consulate in Joslin, Adelaide on Tuesday

Hundreds of furious protesters have arrived at the controversial opening of a Chinese consulate in a quiet Adelaide suburb

Senator Rex Patrick told the mass of protesters the consulate didn’t ‘belong in Joslin and in fact, it doesn’t belong in Adelaide’, The Advertiser reported.  

‘It’s inconsistent with our national security needs and it’s, of course, a strong contrast to the leafy suburb that is Joslin,’ Mr Patrick said.

‘It simply doesn’t belong here. We have a situation where the Chinese government has been engaging in a whole range of activities that are inconsistent with our values.’

Many at the protest were disappointed Premier Marshall had been on the other side of the wall inside the consulate.

He had earlier defended himself and said South Australia still had strong ties with China that he was trying to maintain.  

A Tibetan protester, Nawang Thubten Tenzin said the scenes on Tuesday were a reminder of China’s takeover of Tibet.  

‘It’s an invasion again – for we have been invaded in our country,’ he said, the ABC reported.

Among the large crowd at the protest were members of South Australia's Uighur community, along with Taiwanese, Tibetans, Nepalese and Vietnamese residents

Among the large crowd at the protest were members of South Australia’s Uighur community, along with Taiwanese, Tibetans, Nepalese and Vietnamese residents

Police cars filled the streets as two protesters were arrested on Tuesday

Police cars filled the streets as two protesters were arrested on Tuesday

‘We are very concerned – there is no need for this gigantic building.’

Also seen in the crowd were Australian farmers that had been affected by China’s strict trade sanctions.

There are around 1,000 members in Adelaide’s Uighur community – making it the largest in Australia.

The group is represented by the East Turkistan Australian Association with President Nurmuhammad Majid condemning the consulate’s construction. 

‘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?’ Mr Majid told The Australian.

Protesters are seen outside the new Chinese consulate building in Adelaide on Tuesday

Protesters are seen outside the new Chinese consulate building in Adelaide on Tuesday

Residents who have lived in the area for generations were also enraged by the new addition to their neighbourhood.

‘Just look at the damned thing — it’s a fortress,’ former resident Heather Adams told the publication.

‘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.’ 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Chinese Consulate in Joslin for comment on the matter. 

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