China: The Risks and Potential of Overseas Support

A Pan-European protest will be launched simultaneously in Paris, London and Berlin on April 19, Chinese-language newspaper Global Times reported April 16. The level of sophistication in these coordinated overseas events has opened the eyes of mainland activists to a previously overlooked source of overseas support and resources — outside Beijing’s sphere of influence. But while the organizers may know how to attract international media attention, their French and German plans may well do more harm than good to Beijing’s cause.