Sydney: As the People’s Republic of China celebrated its 76th founding anniversary on 1 October, exiled communities marked the same day with a counter-narrative: “China National Falls Day.” The event, held in front of Sydney Town Hall, brought together Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hongkongers, and Chinese pro-democracy advocates under the umbrella of the Australia and New Zealand Alliance for Victims of the Chinese Communist Regime. The rally called attention to decades of human rights violations by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and expressed solidarity with those suffering under its rule.
Dawa Sangmo, Chinese Liaison Officer of the Tibet Information Office, joined the rally alongside members of V-TAG Sydney Region. In her remarks, she highlighted recent human rights violations in occupied Tibet, including Arc’teryx’s infamous “Rising Dragon” fireworks show, which has caused severe damage to alpine vegetation and wildlife habitats in one of the most climate-sensitive regions. She also spoke about the detention of Tibetan singer Asang (not “Ah Sang”), who was arrested for performing a song in praise of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for His Holiness’s 90th birthday. Dawa also drew attention to the suspected enforced disappearance of a Chinese woman allegedly targeted by Chinese state security for her involvement with Chinese Youth Stands for Tibet, a digital movement that emerged in the aftermath of China’s 2022 White Paper Revolution, and emphasised that these cases represent just a fraction of the ongoing campaign to suppress Tibetan identity and voices of dissent.
Tenzin Dhagyal, Sydney regional coordinator of V-TAG, focused on the expanding Chinese state-run boarding school system in Tibet, which he described as a tool of cultural erasure designed to “further sinicise Tibetan children.” He urged the international community to move beyond rhetoric and take “practical steps to hold China accountable.”
Representing Hong Kong, Dr Lingsong spoke about the CCP’s deep-rooted ideological control, stating: “The Party instils the belief that without the Communist regime, an individual’s worth is nothing — a mindset used to sustain its authoritarian rule.”
From the Australia Uyghur Association, Chairman BahtiyarBora and Secretary Melmet Celepic condemned the CCP’s genocidal policies targeting the Uyghur people, highlighting ongoing mass detentions, forced labour, and cultural destruction in East Turkestan.
Chairman of the Alliance, Professor Chongyi Feng, reflected on the broader historical context, remarking that “China National Falls Day” is not only a rejection of CCP rule but also a reminder that the tragedy began 76 years ago with the founding of the regime.
John Deller, spokesperson for Sydney Falun Dafa, highlighted the impact of the “Quit the CCP” campaign, noting that since its launch in 2004, more than 450 million Chinese citizens have renounced their membership in the Communist Party and its affiliated organisations — a sign of the regime’s gradual weakening.
The rally concluded with a candlelight vigil, honouring the countless victims of the CCP’s repression and reaffirming the participants’ shared commitment to freedom, justice, and human dignity.
-Report filed by Office of Tibet, Canberra
