A group of Chinese students studying in the UK wrote Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) propaganda slogans with red paint on a street art wall in East London, and posted video of it on social media in recent days. This prompted others to spray anti-communist messages to cover or alter the pro-CCP slogans.
Brick Lane in London’s East End is known for its art walls, boutiques, antiques shops, and markets. Last weekend, a group of Chinese students sprayed the CCP’s 24-character propaganda slogan of the “core socialist values” in huge red simplified Chinese characters over white background, which covered the popular arts already on the walls. The huge block characters in red over a white wall are a typical form of propaganda in mainland China, where it can be seen everywhere. Many overseas Chinese lamented on social media, “In an instant, it feels like we’ve been transported back to China.”
The slogans included the messaging about “prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony, freedom, equality, justice, the rule of law, patriotism, dedication, integrity, and friendship” from the view of the CCP.
One of the Chinese students, Wang Hanzheng, from the Royal College of Art in London whose social media name is “Yi Que,” said in a Instagram post in Chinese that the purpose of the action was to, “Decolonize the false freedom of the West with the construction of socialism, let’s see what happens.”
The online video caused heated debate online, and especially strong criticism from overseas Chinese. It also prompted many people to go to the scene to add their own messages criticizing the CCP. Some added “No” in front of the slogans, while others posted opposing messages, like “No freedom in China” under the CCP’s slogan of “freedom.”
Since Aug. 7, more Londoners and Chinese living in Britain have visited the graffiti wall, adding indepedent messages that criticize the CCP, expose its atrocities, and call for freedom and democracy in China.
A street art wall in East London with anti-communist messages covering CCP political slogans. Aug. 7, 2023. (Wen Qing/The Epoch Times)Lyndon Lee, who works in the legal field in London, told The Epoch Times of the “democracy wall” on Aug. 7, “People from China think this thing (socialist values) is very ugly, but nobody can speak out in China.”
“I was very touched to see that many Chinese students came here and were trying to explain to local people that not everyone agrees with this propaganda, and that many Chinese support democracy and freedom,” he said.
Mr. Lee added that the wall brought together people from mainland China, Hong Kong, and the British people. “Everyone has one goal, that is [to stand] against communism.”
Xu Xincheng, a fashion designer from Hong Kong, told The Epoch Times that he came to see the wall after work. He disapproved of the Chinese students who sprayed the CCP slogans that has angered locals.
“I think people all over the world think that the something wrong with the communist party. Only some foolish people will worship the communist party and its chairman.”
Evelyn, a Chinese student in London who also visited the wall, said that those Chinese students who painted the slogan haven’t had enough chances to really understand the world.
“Many people after leaving China still use mainland Chinese social media, such as Xiaohongshu, WeChat, etc. Although they have escaped the physical firewall of China, their thoughts are still behind the firewall. That’s why this kind of thing can happen. It’s because the main source of information they receive is still from mainland China.”
