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Disturbing footage has emerged of a racially fuelled attack on three Chinese international students who were allegedly confronted by two women after a night out in the Sydney CBD.
Lenny Tai, 29, and his two friends were waiting near Central Station for a DiDi ride-share trip home in the early hours of last Saturday when the women began taunting them from the opposite side of the road.
“Do you want Pokemon cards?” they allegedly yelled repeatedly at the students.
Tai and his friends – Minghao Zhan, 20, and one other who asked not to be named – attempted to walk away to avoid a confrontation, but claimed the pair followed them.
After a few minutes, the women crossed the street and approached the group, swearing and jeering at them. Tai and Zhao alleged they also directed racist and sexually explicit abuse at the trio.
In video of the altercation taken by Minghao, one of the women can be heard saying: “You wanna f—ing say that c—? In Australia? … You will never be let back in our country”, before she begins shoving and grabbing the men.
Tai said he was grabbed by the neck, choked and scratched on the face by one of the women.
Zhan and Tai reported the incident to the police that day.
NSW Police have begun an investigation into the incident on the corner of Pitt Street and Hay Street in Haymarket.
“The man was allegedly assaulted by two women who were unknown to him,” a spokesperson told the Herald.
“The man sustained a scratch to his chin during the alleged assault.”
Tai, who has lived in Sydney for five years, said he has not left his home since the alleged attack took place five days ago.
“I have nightmares every night, even last night … We couldn’t sleep well, I can’t eat, it’s painful for me to recall that night,” he told the Herald.
“I live very close to where it happened. I don’t feel safe.”
Zhan said the incident highlighted the public safety concerns for international students living in Sydney.
“I feel really scared,” Zhan said. “I think it’s not just Chinese students … These people hate Asians.”
A 2026 study by the Australian Human Rights Commission found international students attending university in Australia experienced high levels of racism in public places. It also found that the vilification of Chinese international students worsened after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Police have urged anyone with information about the incident to contact Sydney City Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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Emily Kaine is a national news blogger at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.From our partners
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