The Chinese consulate in Los Angeles has warned its citizens to remain alert amid the ongoing riots in the Californian city and to stay away from large gatherings.

Why It Matters

The LA protests against immigration enforcement over the weekend descended into rioting and looting. U.S. President Donald Trump is deploying 2,000 National Guard troops to quell the violence.

Scenes from downtown LA have been the subject of multiple broadcasts by Chinese state television channels and are among the top trending topics on China’s main social media platforms Weibo and WeChat.

During the George Floyd protests in summer 2020 and the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol months later, China’s government and state media mocked the Trump administration over police violence, racial tensions as well as what Beijing considered to be general failures of the U.S. democratic system.

What To Know

“Law enforcement actions are ongoing in many places in the Los Angeles area,” the Chinese consulate’s alert said on its website and social media channels.

“The Consulate General in Los Angeles reminds Chinese citizens in the Los Angeles area to pay close attention to official announcements and media reports, remain vigilant, enhance safety precautions, stay away from gatherings, crowded places or areas with poor public security, and avoid traveling at night or alone,” the advisory said.

On Weibo, China’s online users responded with concern—and ridicule. “‘Beacon of freedom’—yeah, right!” one wrote. Another said: “China is now the safest place in the world. The smartest choice would be to leave the U.S. if you can and return to China as soon as possible.”

China’s state broadcaster CCTV has provided around-the-clock coverage of the anti-ICE protests and riots. On Sunday, it created the hashtag “LA is a mess,” which has been viewed 31.5 million times and remains among the top five trending topics on the website, according to a review by Newsweek

CCTV’s latest post about the row between the U.S. federal government and the state of California over the deployment of the National Guard drew hundreds of comments, one of which read: “California must emulate Harvard and fight to the end.”

“Trump will turn America on its head,” another top-related commented read. A third called for the establishment of a “California People’s Republic.”

What People Are Saying

California Gov. Gavin Newsom posted to X: “Donald Trump has manufactured a crisis and is inflaming conditions. If he can’t solve it, we will. To the bad actors fueling Trump’s flames—California will hold you accountable.”

President Donald Trump posted to Truth Social: “A once great American City, Los Angeles, has been invaded and occupied by Illegal Aliens and Criminals. Now violent, insurrectionist mobs are swarming and attacking our Federal Agents to try and stop our deportation operations — But these lawless riots only strengthen our resolve.”

Update 6/9/25, 4:13 a.m. ET: This developing story was updated with more information.