Pro-Beijing Chinese students have launched a targeted campaign against anti-Communist demonstrators on another Australian university’s campus.
Chang, who is using an alias due to security concerns, talked to The Epoch Times about his experience after he donned his iconic Winnie the Pooh costume again and staged protests to recruit “rebel Chinese youth.”
Verbal Abuse and Physical Attacks
Chang alleges that a total of six batches of people came to Chang over a four-day period, tearing down his signs and QR codes, trying to take his phone, hurling verbal abuse at him, pushing him over, and even kicking him.“Ten minutes later, I was asked to leave by the school staff. If I wanted to stay, I could not have anything in my hands. After that, I went to the activity venue of the Chinese Students Association in Victoria park outside the school and stood for another hour to protest.
“There were three vandals on Wednesday. The second one happened while I was chasing the first person… The third one happened when we went to report the crime.”
However, what shocked the student activist the most was that the school security guard, who witnessed the whole incident, did nothing and wanted him to let the people who had destroyed his property go.
“The school security wouldn’t let me chase him, saying I had no right,” Chang said. “They were very partial to that student. I repeated multiple times that [what I’m doing was] ‘anti-CCP,’ yet he still wrote in the management reports to the school that I was ‘against China,’ and then the school told me not to chase him and let him go.”
“On Thursday (Feb. 16), [my posters] were ripped off by this group of people… The group tore it off first, and I stopped them with a citizen arrest. They shoved me a couple of times.”
“On Friday (Feb. 17) morning, I found out that I had been exposed by an online celebrity in China who has 4 million followers. He said those thugs could find protection from the embassy. I was shocked and worried [me being] exposed.”
“I seriously doubt this was an organized attack. [They] repeatedly attempted to provoke me,” Chang ended the conversation with a concerning speculation.
“They kicked me a few times and even tried to kick me off the bus as they ran away.”
Chang has garnered support from Chinese Australian internet celebrities like Sydney Daddy, who has called on the Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, Clare O'Neil, and the Shadow Minister for Cyber Security and Countering Foreign Influence to demonstrate leadership on the situation.
University of Sydney’s Response
The University of Sydney said that the safety of all students is always their first priority, and they don’t tolerate any type of bullying behaviour or harassment on campus.“We’re continuing to monitor the situation to ensure the safety of our whole community and are undertaking a preliminary assessment in line with our codes of conduct to determine if further follow-up action is required. We’re also communicating with our student body on the need for protest to remain peaceful.”
The spokesperson said that the university is deeply committed to academic freedom and free speech.
“Our students come from a range of diverse backgrounds, and we strongly support the right of all our students to express opinions and political views in a safe and legal way. There’s also a long history of using the campus for political debate and protest–including putting up and removing posters on political issues.”
“We don’t condone the removal of posters from these areas, but do also respect the right of students to express their views in this manner.”
Chang found the statement’s part about posters confusing.
University’s Position on Freedom of Speech Unclear
Zhou Fengsuo, a human rights activist and the founder of Humanitarian China who currently lives in the United States, criticized the University of Sydney for its neutral statement.“We asked the university to clarify its position.”
However, Zhou said that the university’s reply is not a big surprise for him.
“Western universities now treat Chinese students as cash cows, who are customers paying [them],” he said.
The University of Sydney boasts the highest number of Chinese students in Australia. In 2021, 87 percent of the university’s international student income come from Chinese students.
Police Investigating, Suspects at Large
The police confirmed that they are investigating the incidents.“Officers from Inner West Police Area Command are investigating two reported assaults of a man outside a University on Eastern Avenue, Camperdown,” NSW Police told The Epoch Times.
“Police were told about 2 pm on Thursday, 16 February & Monday, 20 February 2023; a 22-year-old man was approached and assaulted by a group of men unknown to him.
“The man did not sustain any injuries.
“Inquiries into both incidents are continuing.”
The Epoch Times reached out to the Chinese consulate in Sydney to inquire if the Chinese people who attacked Aaron are related to the consulate but did not receive a reply by publication time.