Dua Lipa concertgoers forcibly removed from Shanghai gig for waving gay rights flags

The singer said on stage: 'I want to create a really safe environment for us all to have fun'

Concertgoers were forcefully removed from a Dua Lipa gig in Shanghai, China, on Wednesday (13 September).

Footage of the incident has appeared on social media, with users claiming they were targetted by security for waving pro-gay rights flags.

The videos show staff grabbing members of the crowd and dragging them towards the exit.

The incident left Lipa visibly emotional on stage, telling the audience: "I want to create a really safe environment for us all to have fun.

"I want us all to dance. I want us all to sing, I want us all to just have a really good time.

"We're not here for much longer. I would love in these last few songs for us to really, really, really enjoy ourselves. How about that?"

Lipa later responded on Twitter, writing: "What you did takes bravery... I was horrified by what happened and I send love to all my fans involved."

The BBC notes that 'heavy-handed crowd control isn't that unusual in China' and reports that people were ejected for either standing or waving gay rights flags.

Homosexuality was decriminalised in China in 1997, but same-sex marriage remains unable to marry and there are no laws against discrimination against the LGBTQ community.

Lipa was playing the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, the first part of her China tour. She has not yet publicly addressed the situation.

The Independent has reached out for comment.