BEIJING: A retired Chinese football star called for the ouster of China's ruling Communist Party in a video released on Thursday (Jun 4) on the YouTube channel of fugitive billionaire Guo Wengui, who is close with former Trump White House adviser Steve Bannon.
Hao Haidong, 50, who was a major star in China during the 1990s and 2000s, and is known to have a residence in Spain, spoke in a 53-minute video interview. Thursday is the 31st anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident.
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"I think the Chinese people should not be trampled upon by the Chinese Communist Party any more. I think this Communist Party should be kicked out of humanity. This is the conclusion I reached after 50 years of living," Hao says in the video.
YouTube is blocked in China.
READ: Hong Kong to lead Tiananmen anniversary despite coronavirus vigil ban
It was not clear where Hao was speaking from in the video, or in another on the same YouTube channel.
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China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Hao, a prolific scorer who played for the Chinese national team more than 100 times, led China to its only World Cup finals appearance, in 2002.
He has been outspoken on social issues and has criticised the Chinese football establishment, earning him the nickname "Cannon Hao", but had not previously spoken out against the Communist Party.
He appeared in the video with his wife, former badminton champion Ye Zhaoying.
READ: Taiwan calls on China to apologise for Tiananmen incident, Beijing cries 'nonsense'
On Wednesday, a group of propeller planes trailing banners that read "New Federal State of China" flew over New York, where Guo and Bannon, fRead More – Source
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