'All the forces' - China's global social media push over Hong Kong protests

FILE PHOTO: The flag of China raised at the founding ceremony of People's Republic of China in 1949 is seen displayed at an exhibition to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment, at the National Museum of China in Beijing, China August 22, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee/File Photo

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Wang Ying has for the last four years identified herself as a diehard fan of Chinese boy band star Lay Zhang. Recently, the 17-year-old also started describing herself as a patriot who supports China's stance on Hong Kong.

The high school student from Shanghai is among the Chinese citizens who in recent weeks have flocked to Western social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter to criticise demonstrators in the former British colony.