Anti-China activist Drew Pavlou was asked to leave after attempting to protest during a visit by Chinese official Chairman Zhao Leji in Brisbane over the weekend.
The incident occurred on Sunday at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Fig Tree Pocket during Zhao's four-day high-level visit. Zhao is China's third-highest-ranking official.
Pavlou said the Chinese embassy organised the visit and that busloads of government supporters were brought in to greet Leji.
'I thought somebody had to do a small protest,' Pavlou told Sky News.
Armed with a sign reading: 'Gold Coast luxury condos for sale. Xi is very angry with you. Defect now while you still can,' Pavlou attempted to disrupt Zhao's visit.
He said police approached him about the sign and questioned its meaning.
'There's this phenomenon called Chinese Police Liaison Officers - essentially, they are members of the community deputised by Queensland Police to uphold multiculturalism,' Pavlou said.
'They wanted to assess whether my sign would be considered disrespectful to CCP leadership. Honestly, it made me think: what country am I even living in? I felt like I was under foreign occupation.'
After a discussion, permission was ultimately granted by police for Pavlou to keep his sign, but he was restricted to an area behind supporters.
Footage posted to social media showed Pavlou being approached by police.
'You coming here today to film, celebrate, whatever? You going to do any protest whatsoever?' an officer asked.
'I’m just standing in the open,' Pavlou replied.
'As long as you don’t do anything silly, you’re not going to be arrested or something like that, OK? As long as you don’t yell, you don’t swear, if you’re just coming here to basically watch this crowd,' the officer added.
A liason officer then discussed the sign with her colleagues.
'Even if it’s not offensive, it’s still probably potentially disrespectful. It may not be right at this point for security and safety.'
After a discussion, police ultimately allowed Pavlou to keep his sign but restricted him to an area behind supporters.
‘This part here is restricted for supporters,’ an officer said.
A liason officer said: ‘Even if it’s not offensive, it’s still probably potentially disrespectful. It may not be right at this point for security and safety’
Undeterred, as Chairman Zhao arrived, Pavlou climbed onto a bench and shouted: ‘Mr Leji, we support you, Mr Leji, defect now before Xi comes.’
Pavlou hit back: ‘That’s pretty unfair. At that point, I may as well protest on the river down there.’
Undeterred, as Chairman Zhao arrived, Pavlou climbed onto a bench and shouted: ‘Mr Leji, we support you! Mr Leji, defect now before Xi comes!’
CCP supporters waving large Chinese flags moved to block his view.
A police officer then grabbed Pavlou by the pants and escorted him back to his car.
Pavlou was told he had not followed instructions and was on private property.
‘This is Australia, this is Brisbane. I thought I’d be able to exercise my right to speak freely as an Australian citizen - and strangely enough, these police liaison officers are trying to jostle me away to protect the honour of a visiting communist functionary.’
Queensland Police have been contacted for comment.