In Thailand, activists mark China’s National Day with demonstration in support of Uygurs and Hong Kong protesters

Thai university student Napassorn Saengduean commemorated China’s National Day on Thursday by visiting a cinema a short walk away from the Chinese embassy in Bangkok. There, she had her picture taken with a poster for Mulan, the Disney film about a legendary Chinese hero starring Liu Yifei, a Chinese-born American.

But Napassorn was not there for the big-screen depiction of Chinese folklore. On her dress and bare shoulders, she had several Post-it notes with slogans such as “Save Tibet”, “Anti CCP” and “Stand with Uygurs” – joining those who had spoken up against Liu’s backing of the police last year during the anti-government protests that rocked Hong Kong.

She said the group’s main aim, on the 71st anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, was to raise awareness among Thais that Beijing’s actions – including “the Hong Kong national security law and the human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Tibet” – had effects on the world stage.

On Thursday evening, the group held a small gathering opposite the Chinese embassy, turning a nearby footpath barrier into a so-called Lennon Wall bearing messages in favour of the protesters in Hong Kong, condemnations of Beijing’s actions and support for the Milk Tea Alliance – an internet solidarity movement composed of social media users from Hong Kong, Thailand and Taiwan.