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Originally Posted by goleoboy  Discobay, you give a very balanced perspective. Honestly, all I'd like to see is apples to apples comparisons. Just like foreigners are enjoying the hospitality here in Hong Kong, it would not be acceptable for foreigners to take the streets to protest against china during the HK run either... but then again the Aussie-Chinese were not protesting the Aussie govt, but supporting their own country... it's as if there's Aussie-day here in hk, i would expect expat Aussies to cheer on? |
It is illegal in Australia to protest about anything publically, or what is directly or indirectly seditious by nature, under the provisions of an international student visa. Only Australian citizens have the right to protest legally. Those PRC international students broke the laws of Australia, regardless of what they were protesting about. I think the Australian govt displayed a large amount of tolerance in this case, and didn't terminate a single student visa. It was allowed to happen, with a bending of the law. However, if the protests were to turn violent, I am sure visa's would have been terminated, no matter who, their parents ranked in the PSB in China are.
If western students studying at a Chinese university protested during an Olympic torch relay in China, what do you think the chances of the same level of tolerance being given ?
Not going to happen, right ?
The very fact that the Chinese consulates recruited/seditiously encouraged international Chinese students from majority of Australia's university campuses, really gave disrespect to their "Australian Hosts". They were paid $ 350AUS to fly to Canberra from other locations in Australia, given accommodation and food etc .
But thats o.k, under the circumstances, a blind eye stance was given, even considering the recalcitrant move by the PLA, to send the torch thugs anyway ! They were told point blank NOT to!
Australian Federal Police officers who ran along side the torch bearers were given the green light to man handle any PLA security detail member, the moment it made physical contact with any member of the Australian public. Which did happen in one instance, creating a bit of tension politically.
In fairness though, the Australian leg of the Olympic Torch relay has gone pretty well, the AFP can be highly commended for their professionalism maintaining that the event runs smoothly..
