Video of Chinese Flags Filling San Francisco Street Sparks Backlash

Ahead of President Joe Biden's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco on Wednesday, videos of Chinese flags parading in the streets are sparking backlash.

Xi and Biden are set to have their first face-to-face meeting in a year on Wednesday during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, as well as at an undisclosed location in San Francisco. The meeting is seen as a crucial step in restoring normal communications between the U.S. and China and to prevent the rivalry between the two countries from escalating.

Other issues, such as Taiwan, China's economy, the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Ukraine's war with Russia, are also likely to be addressed when Biden and Xi meet. Newsweek has reached out to the White House via email for comment.

Upon the Chinese president's arrival, videos have made their way onto social media showing numerous people with Chinese flags watching Xi's motorcade.

In a post to X, formerly Twitter, investigative reporter at The Post Millennial, Katie Daviscourt shared a video showing the many Chinese flags lining the San Francisco streets saying, "Oh look, San Francisco turned into China for President Xi's arrival.Finally revealing it's true colors."

X user Matt Wallace also shared a video of the Chinese president's arrival and compared it to Biden's arrival, taking aim at the difference, saying, "EMBARRASSING FOOTAGE!"

Another X user, Jenny Chachan noted the amount of flags by saying, "Dang, San Francisco is looking more China than China."

Meanwhile, social commentator and co-host of Bob & Eric Save America, Eric Matheny aimed at the Chinese president by saying, "Xi Jinping was complicit in releasing a biological weapon upon the world and this is the warm welcome the Biden Administration gives him."

The backlash follows increasing tensions among Asian Americans who took to the streets of San Francisco to protest and counter-protest in the days leading up to Xi's arrival.

According to the San Francisco Standard, critics of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), crossed paths with supporters of China who had gathered in a courtyard across from the St. Regis hotel on Third Street as the dueling protests sparked strong reactions from both sides.

Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Democracy and Human Rights Alliance via email for comment concerning protests.

This comes after a banner denouncing CCP circled the sky above downtown San Francisco on Tuesday morning just before the Chinese leader arrived in the United States.

The high-profile protest, organized by democracy activists and members of the Chinese diaspora, was emblematic of the tricky atmosphere greeting China's president and his hosts as they navigate Xi's first visit to America in six years.

Xi, who has embarked on only his third overseas trip of 2023, will remain in California until November 17.