WASHINGTON, D.C. – China’s President Xi Jinping’s presence in Washington has drawn both protesters and supporters to D.C. Many of the protesters believe President Donald Trump should not have invited the Chinese leader to D.C. because they do not trust President Xi.
As President Trump welcomed President Xi to the White House for a state visit, protesters nearby the White House said Xi is unwelcome here.
“I’m here to protest Xi Jinping because he’s the world’s biggest dictator,” said a protester who wanted to remain unnamed in fear of retaliation of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on family members in China. “The sign on my flag means expel Chinese Communist Party.”
People who are protesting Xi’s visit spread themselves around the White House complex holding banners and freely expressing their views against Xi and the CCP, something they say people are unable to do in China because of high levels of state monitoring and threats against free expression. Some even participated in a Tibet freedom march and advocated against China’s control over Tibet.
“We are here to do a demonstration for freedom and democracy in China and we are here to show our attitude, to show our disobedience against the totalitarian regime of the CCP party,” said Kevin Li, a protester.
There was a group of Xi supporters in Washington, however, when we asked the group for an interview they either declined or said they did not speak English well.
Xi has been criticized for his authoritarian style, human rights abuses and economic issues at home.
“I feel that President Trump made a wrong decision, inviting him to come to the land of the free,” said Li.
The other protester we spoke with said he has a message for Xi:
“Step down and make China democracy country,” said the protester.
and a message for Trump:
“Chinese Community Party is always, is always a cheat,” said the protester. “Don’t trust them and don’t make a deal, the deal is nothing.”
