Ugly scenes as ‘Chinese nationalists’ clash with Hong Kong human rights protestors in the stands as Australia take on China in basketball match in Melbourne
- Hong Kong human rights protesters and Chinese nationals clash in Melbourne
Chinese ‘nationalists’ have clashed with Hong Kong human rights protesters at a China versus Australia basketball match.
Crowds were left shocked at the violent display during the FIBA World Cup qualifier on Thursday night at John Cain Arena in Melbourne.
Activist Max Mok alleges he was ‘assaulted’ after he began shouting ‘free East Turkestan’ and ‘Hong Kong independence’.
Footage shows him yelling and holding a poster before he is pushed by a larger man as his girlfriend tries to hold him back.
Activist Max Mok holds a poster demanding the release of Australian Uyghur political prisoner Mirzat Taher in the stands during the Australia versus China World Cup qualifier (pictured)
Mr Mok’s poster was demanding the release of Mirzat Taher, an Australian Uyghur political prisoner held in China for 25 years.
Another protester brandishes a Tibetan flag – used since the 1960s as a symbol of the Tibetan independence movement.
The flag in banned in mainland China because the communist superpower claims Tibet as its territory, therefore says the flag of the People’s Republic of China should represent it.
Security at John Cain Arena were forced intervene to break up the clash on Thursday night and then called in police to assist them.
It is understood police then removed some of the crowd members involved from the stadium.
One protester holds up the flag of Tibet as part of the protest sparking the rage of nearby audience members (pictured)
Security were forced to intervene to break up the clash and then called in police to assist (pictured)
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