Chinese student in New Zealand, Rita Jing (抖音 @rita Jing), posted a video on 13 August 2026 while studying at a language school.

In the video she says:

“Many classmates here introduce themselves by only saying they are from Taiwan or from Hong Kong. Every time I hear this I feel speechless. Let me make it clear here: Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China. Taiwan is an inseparable part of China. There is no separate Taiwan or separate Hong Kong. The correct way is always Chinese Hong Kong, Chinese Taiwan.”

Three days later (16 August), she posted another video in which she is visibly distressed, wiping tears and speaking with a shaking voice.

She says the previous video caused her to receive a large volume of threatening private messages and thousands of critical comments on Instagram.

She states she is “really scared,” does not want to be isolated as the only mainland Chinese student in her class, does not want to “become Mina,” and repeatedly asks people to stop scolding her. The same clip shows her packing clothes in her room.

However, Subsequent reporting and her own later posts indicate she had also been trying to obtain a longer Australian student visa in order to remain overseas longer.

That application was refused, and with her New Zealand visa approaching expiry she prepared to return to Shanghai.

She really really doesn’t want to go back to China.