ABC News: Olivia Mason
)Hundreds of people have disrupted the opening of the new Chinese consulate in Adelaide's eastern suburbs.
Police closed off parts of the road in front of the consulate in Joslin as protesters raised a myriad of complaints against the Chinese government.
Members of Adelaide's Uyghur community called out human rights abuses and they were joined by people from the Tibetan community.
Tibetan protester Nawang Thubten Tenzin compared the consulate being built in suburban Adelaide with China's takeover of Tibet.
"It's an invasion again — for we have been invaded in our country," he said.
"We are very concerned — there is no need for this gigantic building."
There were members of the religious group, Falun Gong, in attendance as well as people representing Australian farmers and industries which have been hit by China's trade sanctions.
ABC News: Olivia Mason
)There were also politicians in the crowd, who said the consulate posed a threat to national security, given South Australia's key role in defence industries.
Independent South Australian Senator Rex Patrick echoed those concerns.
“In the case of China's Adelaide Consulate General, a fortified compound to be opened by South Australian Premier Steven Marshall, a significant reduction of the eleven consular staff would help protect our vital naval shipbuilding projects and other defence industry facilities from Chinese espionage," he said.
"Australia's national security should always come first."
Premier Steven Marshall attended the opening, but managed to avoid the protest despite federal Liberal senator Alex Antic pushing him not to do so, citing human rights violations against the Uyghur community.
ABC News: Olivia Mason
)The size and scale of the consulate has also raised questions and neighbours have also complained about its large walls and CCTV cameras.
It did not require state or local government development approval because of exemptions under planning laws for diplomatic buildings.
The ABC has reached out to the consulate for comment but has not received a response.
A recent statement on the consulate's website said, "slander of the office construction project" was "groundless" and "drove a wedge between our Chinese consular mission and local people".
Adelaide only has two other consulates — for Italy and Greece.
