A female Rolls-Royce driver in China seen holding up a hospital emergency lane has led to an outpouring of dissatisfaction and slamming of alleged corruption within the establishment by Chinese netizens.

And in what is perhaps a surprising twist, the collective sentiment by regular mainland Chinese people against this sort of entitled mindset among the wealthy and powerful has led to expressions of empathy towards Hong Kong protesters.

Refused to move her car & argued with police officer

In the incident, which happened on Wednesday, Aug. 14, a woman used her Rolls-Royce to block the emergency entrance to a Beijing hospital that specialises in working with pregnant women.

She then engaged in a heated argument with a police officer, and refused to move her car.

The incident was captured on camera, and the video went viral on Chinese social media platform Weibo.

The police officer could be heard shouting, "You must cooperate with the police unconditionally!"

The woman then replied, "I'm not obliged to cooperate with you. You hit me?"

https://twitter.com/PressPRISM/status/1162024085066358784

Her behaviour did not go down well with Chinese netizens, who criticised her for blocking the access of those who urgently need to go to the hospital for treatment.

Rare signs of dissent on heavily censored platform

The incident sparked criticisms against the establishment as well, in a rare display of dissent on the platform.

Posts and comments on Weibo, especially viral ones, are regularly curated and censored if found by the authorities to be "undesirable".

Certain keywords that are deemed politically sensitive are also censored by the platform's automatic filter system.

Commenters also showed their support for the Hong Kong protesters, saying the incident helped them understand why the Hongkongers are marching on the streets.

Such talk goes against the predominant view held by many mainland Chinese, who are of the opinion that protesters are the ones causing instability and unrest in Hong Kong.

The cause in Hong Kong has also been perceived to be frivolous or meaningless in mainland China.

Dissent against the establishment

Some Chinese netizens opined that the female driver could be someone related to a high-ranking government official.

"Most of the car plate numbers including 'Beijing A' nowadays refer to government organisations, such as those starting with 'A8'. Many of them are members of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC, the Politburo of the Communist Party and Ministry of Public Security.

A lot of the cars with 'Beijing A' have been replaced over time. Therefore, drivers with 'Beijing A' plates are mostly people of exceptional standing (in society).

However, many of them also violate the law, such as running red lights and using emergency lanes (without a good reason). And traffic police can't do much about them."

The incident was also interpreted as the rich using their wealth and status to get away with things, and exerting their authority over others, which even include low-ranking police officers who are carrying out their duties.

"Chinese police, I support you!" (inspired by the viral catchphrase "Hong Kong police, I support you")

Reply: "We must support the Chinese police. It's good for the people if the police at the grassroots level refuse to give in to those with power and status.

"Let's see how closely a rule-of-law society adheres to the rule of law!"

"Why aren't people supporting the police now? Didn't you support the Hong Kong police previously?"

Chinese netizens also took inspiration from a viral social media campaign started to support the Hong Kong police against the "violence" of the protesters, making a new version that shows their support for the Beijing police.

"I support the Beijing police. You can delete my Weibo post now."

What a shame for Beijing A88519.

Sympathy for Hong Kong protesters

Furthermore, the Chinese netizens showed rare sympathy and support for the Hong Kong protesters as they found themselves sharing the same anti-establishment sentiments.

"This is the reality of the place we live in. What Hong Kong students are protesting against is exactly incidents like this. Why are we still criticising those students as if we are superior than them?"

"I've no face to go criticise those 'useless teens' in Hong Kong."

"What the Hong Kong people fear is for these people to overrun the city someday, and that's why they are resisting (the establishment). While we're criticising the 'useless teens' righteously, the privileged class in mainland China are kicking back and enjoying their lives.It's better to just return to reality. This is the only way to be grounded in life."

Screenshot via Weibo

"This is our society. The rich do whatever they want. If we don't fix this, we will become a second Hong Kong."

Reply: "Hong Kong is the one that refuses to become a second China."

Not all sympathise with Hong Kong

But of course, as with every divisive issue, there are some who do not agree with those who used this particular incident to express support for the Hong Kong protesters.

"(Car plate number) BeijingA88519, wearing black with a face mask on, held up the emergency hospital lane for about an hour, are they the 'useless teens' from Hong Kong?"

"I feel that those who are advocating for Taiwan and Hong Kong independence have infiltrated into Weibo and started influencing others. Let's not talk about who's right or wrong in this incident (Rolls-Royce holding up the lane), even if it's the driver's fault, how does it concern Hong Kong?

Just because this happened, it's right to advocate for separatism? Or such things do not happen abroad? The way you think is really curious. Oh right, your American daddy has started yet another war in the name of freedom, go support them quick! But I wouldn't know if you guys are supporting those fighting for freedom or your American daddy."

Discussion about the incident in Hong Kong

The incident, which was also reported in Hong Kong media, has sparked discussions among Hong Kong's reddit-like LIHKG community.

"Pretty sure A8 is someone with special background (social status)."

"These mainland morons thought they would receive support from 1.4 billion people by reporting on Hong Kong. But who would have thought that the "seed of resistance" has already been sown in these 1.4 billion people."

Censorship on Weibo

As these Weibo posts contain comments that express dissent against the establishment, some Chinese netizens believe that these posts will be taken down soon.

"I bet you that this post will disappear tomorrow."

"Comments have already been disabled on some Sina and some news accounts. Dope."

One netizen even claimed to have received a threatening phone call after posting information about the car.

Screenshot via Weibo

"I've deleted information about the car. A Beijing number called me and said that I'm doing this at my own risk. I was scared to death, and I'm not gonna continue with Weibo now."

However, by Sunday, Aug. 18, the post was still up on Weibo, along with the comments.

One online commenter deduced that should the authorities not allow the post to be reposted and spread further, it means they are admitting that the Rolls-Royce did have special privilege.

"Why would they disallow people from reposting? If that's the case, then they are admitting that "BeijingA88519" really does have special privilege, and can cruise above the law. But from what I know, not every car that starts with "A8" is obtained through legal means."

Top image via Weibo