October 1st marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), a day that, for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), represents a celebration of its revolutionary success. However, for Uighurs, Tibetans, Hongkongers, Southern Mongolians, and Taiwanese, it’s a stark reminder of the brutal legacy of Chinese hegemony and oppression. Each year, these communities gather globally to protest the CCP’s aggressive policies of cultural erasure, political repression, and territorial dominance that have marked their lives for decades.
This year’s protests are especially significant as China’s grip over its so-called “autonomous” regions and neighboring Taiwan has intensified, revealing Beijing’s obsession with maintaining absolute control over diverse peoples through various coercive strategies. From forced assimilation to military intimidation, China’s hegemonic tactics have left scars that are being resisted fiercely by those who seek autonomy, freedom, and cultural preservation.
Tibet: The Tragedy of Cultural Erasure
For Tibetans, China’s National Day signifies 75 years of continued colonization and cultural destruction. Since the illegal invasion of Tibet in 1950, Beijing has implemented policies aimed at erasing Tibetan identity, religion, and language. According to Tibet Action Institute, nearly 80% of Tibetan children are now forced into state-run boarding schools, where they are denied the right to learn in their native language and are indoctrinated with Chinese nationalist ideology. The international community continues to condemn China’s attempts to control the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, further underscoring the PRC’s efforts to interfere in religious freedoms.
Gyal Lo, a Tibetan sociologist in exile, warns that the future of Tibetan culture is in jeopardy. He estimates that over 100,000 preschool-age Tibetan children are in these assimilationist schools, effectively cutting them off from their traditions and families from the age of four. Protests this October will emphasize the urgent need for international intervention to protect the basic rights of Tibetans in their homeland.
Xinjiang: The Genocidal Campaign Against the Uighurs
The Uighur Muslim population in Xinjiang has faced what many have called a genocidal campaign by the Chinese government. The United Nations and international human rights organizations estimate that over one million Uighurs have been detained in concentration camps under the guise of “reeducation” programs since 2017. Survivors have reported accounts of forced sterilizations, torture, forced labor, and indoctrination.
In 2022, a report by the U.N. Human Rights Office stated that the CCP’s actions in Xinjiang “may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity.” Yet, despite growing international condemnation, including sanctions by the U.S. and Europe, China continues its systematic repression of the Uighur people. This year’s protests will spotlight these atrocities, demanding greater accountability from global leaders to take meaningful action.
Hong Kong: The Demise of Democracy
For Hongkongers, October 1st marks another year under China’s tightening grip following the implementation of the National Security Law in 2020. The law has effectively criminalized dissent, leading to the arrests of thousands of activists, journalists, and pro-democracy advocates. According to Amnesty International, over 10,000 people have been detained under the law, which gives authorities sweeping powers to crack down on any opposition to Beijing.
The dismantling of democratic institutions in Hong Kong is evident through the disbanding of independent media, the exile of pro-democracy leaders, and the erosion of civil liberties. Protests this October will mourn the loss of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, which was meant to protect Hong Kong’s autonomy until 2047. Instead, the city has become yet another province under the complete control of Beijing.
Mongolia-
Southern Mongolians, or Inner Mongolians, have faced similar cultural oppression under Chinese rule. In 2020, China introduced policies aimed at replacing Mongolian-language instruction in schools with Mandarin, triggering widespread protests across the region. Southern Mongolians argue that the move is an attempt to dilute their cultural heritage, much like the policies seen in Tibet and Xinjiang.
While protests have been less visible internationally, the Mongolian diaspora continues to fight for their right to cultural preservation and autonomy. As of today, many activists have been silenced or arrested, with the government labeling any resistance as “separatism.”
China’s claim over Taiwan has escalated into one of the most volatile flashpoints in the Asia-Pacific region. Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has vowed to unify it with the mainland, by force if necessary. Taiwan, however, operates as a sovereign state with its own government, military, and economy. Over the past decade, Chinese military incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) have become routine, with a record 103 Chinese military aircraft entering Taiwan’s ADIZ in just one day in September 2023.
The Taiwanese people, who overwhelmingly support maintaining their autonomy, view Chinese National Day as a threat to their independence. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has repeatedly warned the international community that China’s ambitions extend beyond Taiwan, stating, “If Taiwan falls, the consequences will be catastrophic for regional peace and the democratic alliance.”
The protests this October 1st will not only commemorate years of suffering under Chinese rule but will also highlight the growing unity among oppressed groups. Uighurs, Tibetans, Hongkongers, Southern Mongolians, and Taiwanese have become increasingly united in their fight against Beijing’s authoritarianism, demanding international recognition and protection.
Recent statistics reveal that despite China’s attempts at suppression, resistance movements continue to grow. Diaspora communities have launched campaigns worldwide, from Washington, D.C., to London, using global platforms to raise awareness and call for solidarity.
While the Chinese government may boast about its 75 years of “revolutionary success,” the voices of the oppressed will continue to ring louder each year. As protests erupt across continents this October 1st, the message is clear: China’s hegemonic rule over these regions will not go unchallenged, and the fight for freedom, cultural preservation, and self-determination continues.
