18 civilian groups in Hong Kong, including Hong Kong Border City Youth, marched in Taipei on June 9 to draw attention to Hong Kong. Five years ago on this day, 1.03 million Hong Kong citizens took to the streets to kick off the anti-extradition movement. The Mainland Affairs Council of the Republic of China emphasized that the government’s support for Hong Kong remains unchanged, and democratic Taiwan will stand firm with the people of Hong Kong, with policies and actions to support Hong Kong set to continue.
Organizations representing Taiwanese and Hong Kong people held the “#FreeHongKong June 2024 Taipei March – Defend Democracy, Stand with Hong Kong” event, gathering at Liberty Square in Taipei and setting off at 2 p.m. to march to Xiben Yuan Temple for a rally. They mentioned that despite the passage of Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law in March this year, which pushes Hong Kong’s democracy to the brink, it did not deter Taiwanese and supporters of Hong Kong in Taiwan from participating. Along the route, passersby kept joining the march, with around 600 people gathered for the rally at Xiben Yuan Temple in the afternoon.
The Secretary-General of the Hong Kong Border City Youth, Feng Zhaotian, known as Sky, stated that despite strong political pressure, Hong Kong residents continue to display civic resilience within constraints. Both local and dispersed Hong Kongers want to convey a message: “As long as we continue to strive, Hong Kong is not dead yet.” He emphasized that whether as a Hong Konger or a member of Taiwanese civil society, being in free Taiwan makes it clear how the civil societies of Hong Kong and Taiwan have always supported and encouraged each other.
Taiwan Parliament’s Hong Kong Friendly Connection Vice-Chairman, Legislator Hong Shenhan, said, “Hong Kong has become unrecognizable to us, where the freedom that once existed has been shattered by the authorities. Today, we need to come out even more to support the 47 people imprisoned in the representative case, embodying the flame of Hong Kong democracy. This march is not just for Hong Kong people or Taiwanese people; many who are appalled by the atrocities of the Chinese Communist Party are participating, uniting the power of the people for democracy and freedom.”
Photographer and Diarist Bah Jiang stated, “Reflecting on the five-year anti-extradition movement in Hong Kong, we condemn the Chinese Communist Party and the Hong Kong government for attempting to suppress Hong Kong’s memory and erase the truth. Hong Kong people have been defending democracy and freedom, despite waning international attention, their will remains unwavering. Therefore, Taiwan must continue to protect the people of Hong Kong during this time.” Despite facing oppression from the CCP, he urged everyone to pass on the memory of fighting for democracy and freedom against the CCP to future generations, letting the bright light of freedom shine on Hong Kong in the future.
Member of the Taiwan-Hong Kong Democratic Guardianship Group, Xu Chengen, mentioned that the pursuit of freedom, democracy, and resistance against the CCP’s hegemony has always been the shared desire of the people of Taiwan and Hong Kong. Nowadays, most Taiwanese have realized that only by rising up against the CCP’s attempt to annex Taiwan can they safeguard the hard-won freedom and democracy of Taiwan.
Manager of the Freedom House Project, Lulu, pointed out that global freedom indices have been declining, with the status of freedom in Hong Kong also deteriorating. However, to protect freedom, it depends on the continuous and tireless actions of civil society organizations. Under the remote cross-border repression of the CCP, the Taiwan authorities should ensure the safety of civil society and allow the Hong Kong community to continue living in the abundant freedom of Taiwan, joining Taiwanese in resisting the oppressive methods of the CCP.
Formerly detained by the CCP for five years, Li Mingzhe pointed out that many Taiwanese have forgotten that democracy and freedom come not effortlessly, but through the efforts of the previous generation and are not innate. When Hong Kong faced CCP infiltration since 1997, trying to turn Hong Kong into a Chinese city, this crisis is also happening in Taiwan. Therefore, in the face of CCP oppression, he believes that Taiwanese must not concede and remain vigilant about how brutal authorities treat people, or else they would dishonor their ancestors who sacrificed to defend freedom and democracy.
Representative of the Taiwan Parent-Child Co-Learning Education Promotion Association and the “OBAs United for Grassroots Participation” Alliance, Lai Xuanren, pointed out that the CCP’s tentacles have been approaching Taiwan in various ways, emphasizing that it is not just Taiwan supporting Hong Kong; Taiwan and Hong Kong are interconnected. He expressed that the days of enjoying freedom in Taiwan are precious, but losing even a single line of defense would mean losing freedom.
Secretary-General of the Tibet Taiwan Human Rights Connection, Zaxi Ciren, speaking as a victim of the CCP’s persecution, highlighted the need for unity among Hong Kong, Taiwan, Uyghur, and Tibetan people facing the authoritarian expansion of the CCP. He urged these groups to stand up, express their views, and ensure autonomy for each community, free from CCP constraints.
Chairman of the Taiwan Hong Kong Association, Sang Pu, said, “I am not only a dispersed Hong Konger but also Taiwanese. Resistance is seeking democracy. Only through resistance do we have a future. I hope everyone truly embraces Taiwan, takes root in Taiwan.” Finally, he concluded with four key points: “Refuse to forget, continue to strive, connect with like-minded individuals, and care for Taiwan.”
A Taiwanese speaking on behalf of the Hong Kongers in Taiwan said that over the past five years, Hong Kongers have been continuously suppressed, and it is extremely tough to see everyone persisting in their protests in the land of freedom and democracy. However, the resistance cannot only be about marches and rallies; Hong Kongers must also work diligently behind the scenes. Even abroad, they still face threats from the CCP, and he advised everyone to learn to take care of themselves.
The Mainland Affairs Commission of the Republic of China issued a press release on the civilian groups’ “Defend Democracy, Stand with Hong Kong” march, responding and clarifying:
1. Respect and admire the efforts of the organizations supporting Hong Kong and hoping for the Taiwanese people to care about the situation in Hong Kong. The Commission emphasized that the government’s determination to support Hong Kong remains steadfast, with democratic Taiwan standing firmly with the people of Hong Kong, and policies and initiatives to support Hong Kong will persist and improve based on various opinions.
2. In recent years, the national security laws in Hong Kong have drawn red lines in various fields like politics, economy, and society, leading to a continual erosion of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Hong Kong’s advantages and its status as an international financial center have been slowly eroded, attracting high attention from the international community. “My government continues to closely monitor the relevant developments and provides timely risk warnings to the people.”
3. The government will spare no effort to safeguard the personal safety and rights of the Hong Kong people in Taiwan, not tolerating any surveillance or intelligence activities threatening the Hong Kong people’s safety. Additionally, the Commission and the Straits Exchange Foundation will continue to organize a series of diverse exchange activities to assist Hong Kong individuals in deepening local connections, easing cultural clashes, and adapting to life in Taiwan as soon as possible.
4. Regarding humanitarian assistance to the people from Hong Kong, relevant government agencies have formulated review standards and procedures according to the “Hong Kong and Macau Relations Act” and its implementing regulations, adhering to international practices and considering the Hong Kong situation, providing assistance from case acceptance, review, to settlement, ensuring various government departments handle cases according to their duties, and will continue to help cases settle and reside in Taiwan, living securely in Taiwan.
The Commission expressed that given the security considerations and to avoid interference and infiltration with the handling mechanism, related actions need to remain flexible and discreet. The Commission will continue to seek opinions from various sectors for continuous improvement in related actions.
The 18 civilian groups marching in Taiwan presented four demands:
1. Continue to monitor the situation in Hong Kong: In recent years, the political landscape in Hong Kong has rapidly changed, posing significant challenges to the fight for democracy. Including the 47 pro-democracy figures, political figures like Jimmy Lai and Agnes Chow have become prisoners but still face indefinite detention and lawsuits. Additionally, the song “Glory to Hong Kong” has been banned, symbolizing further curbs on freedom of speech. The Hong Kong National Security Law and Article 23 of the Basic Law further suppress democratic movements and erode Hong Kong’s autonomy.
2. Continued improvement of asylum mechanisms: A vital necessity for Hong Kong protesters facing persecution. As these protesters have a chance of obtaining residency in the next year, a robust asylum mechanism is indispensable. This is essential not only for their personal protection but to ensure they can live safely and with dignity.
3. Continuous assessment of the CCP threat: Taiwan has the right to independently decide its future and its relationships with other countries. However, the CCP’s ongoing pressure against Taiwan and various forms of psychological warfare demand that Taiwanese society pay attention to the threat from the CCP, urging the international community to remain vigilant and steadfastly support Taiwan’s democratic development.
4. Continued protection of Hong Kong people’s lives: Hong Kongers around the world are facing increasingly severe cross-border repression threats, regardless of whether they are protesters or not, they will encounter harassment and pressure from the CCP. The CCP conducts intelligence and surveillance activities in other countries, keeping exiled Hong Kong people under continued safety risks and psychological pressure. Students and residents from Hong Kong need appropriate support and protection to ensure that they are safe from CCP threats and can establish themselves with confidence in Taiwan.
The above summarizes the key points and demands made by the 18 civilian groups in Taiwan in support of Hong Kong and calls for continued vigilance on the issues affecting Hong Kong and Taiwan in their struggle for democracy and freedom.