Screenshot of Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney's safety warning

The Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney on Friday issued two safety advisories for Chinese residents and students, urging them to exercise caution following recent reports of street assaults in Eastgardens, Sydney.

According to media reports, recent street attacks in Eastgardens have posed threats to residents' safety. The Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney reminds all Chinese residents and students in the consular district to closely follow local news and current affairs and stay vigilant about local security conditions. It also reminds them to strengthen personal safety awareness, enhance self-protection capabilities and minimize nighttime travel when possible.

The Consulate also reminded Chinese residents and students to immediately contact Australian police by dialing 000 in case of emergencies and to contact the Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney for consular protection and assistance.

On Friday morning, the Consulate had also issued another warning. It said that recently, a number of violent incidents targeting Chinese residents and students happened in New South Wales, which the Consulate-General firmly opposes and strongly condemns.

It attaches great importance to this matter, and will make every effort to take effective measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens within its consular jurisdiction, the Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney said.

According to a Daily Mail report on Thursday, horrifying footage has emerged showing a gang of youths attacking and spitting on a Chinese couple at a Sydney playground. In a TikTok video of the incident shared on Thursday, at least a dozen youths were seen tackling the woman to the ground and repeatedly punching and kicking her. Her male companion appeared to be calling for help on his phone while desperately attempting to block the violent blows. The assault continued for nearly a minute before the attackers fled, prompted by a passerby with a dog who intervened.

The video, also shared on Reddit, sparked outrage among viewers. One commenter wrote: "People are terrified to defend themselves over visa concerns. This is racism. This is violence. This is assault. And these teenage thugs face zero consequences because they're 'just kids.'"

According to a release from the New South Wales Police on Thursday, officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command were informed that the couple were assaulted by a group of about seven teenagers. Following extensive inquiries two 12-year-old girls were arrested on Thursday respectively in Sydney's eastern suburbs. They were taken to Maroubra Police Station, and each charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of other(s) and affray.

Both have been granted conditional bail to appear at a children's court on June 19, 2025. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, according to the release.

Global Times