On the 6th anniversary of the Hong Kong anti-extradition movement, various groups including Borderless Youth in Hong Kong held the “612 Action – Long Night Unrest, Twilight Unextinguished” march in Taipei, walking from Ximending in Taipei to the Freedom Square near the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. During the event, Taiwanese and Hong Kong participants called for unity among Hong Kong people in the free world and their allies to resist the extreme authoritarianism of the Chinese Communist Party, and to pay attention to the plight of the people of Hong Kong.
The organizers stated that six years have passed, but the people of Hong Kong have not remained silent, and the resistance is far from over. Despite the inclement weather on June 12th, over 200 people in Taipei participated in the “2025 Hong Kong Freedom June| 612 Action – Long Night Unrest, Twilight Unextinguished” event, co-organized by Borderless Youth in Hong Kong, Hong Kong residents in Taiwan, and several human rights and civil groups in Taiwan.
The march started at Ximen MRT Station in Taipei, walking to the Freedom Square archway where participants chanted slogans and held up banners, reaffirming the persistence of Hong Kong’s resistance and memory. The host mentioned that this year’s event intertwines commemoration and action, signifying that down the streets walked not just a march, but a series of indomitable figures who refuse to be extinguished.
The host stated, “In this complex and ever-changing era, Hong Kong people from diverse backgrounds gather together, especially in Taiwan, a democratic and free country. We, Hong Kong people in Taiwan, present different facets but all share a continuous call for democracy and freedom.”
Feng Zhao-tian, the Secretary-General of Borderless Youth in Hong Kong, expressed that they took to the streets not just for a memorial, but to urge continued attention to the situation in Hong Kong, responding to the political actions of oppression and future threats by the Chinese government. He emphasized that Hong Kong people have not given up; they should not merely dwell in memories but transform into a force of resistance in different places.
Li Ming-xu, the Deputy Executive Director of the Judicial Reform Foundation, remarked that the collapse of the rule of law and judicial independence in Hong Kong demonstrates that democracy is not an automatic system but a value that requires continuous safeguarding. She stressed, “Deepening the rule of law in Taiwan and supporting Hong Kong is the first line of defense against authoritarian expansion.”
Exiled Hong Konger Tong recalled the bloodshed and turmoil in Hong Kong society since 2019, criticizing the systematic dismantling of democracy and freedom by the Chinese Communist Party. He urged Hong Kong people in the free world and their allies to unite and build an international alliance with conviction and strength to confront authoritarianism.
Zaxi Ciren, the Secretary-General of the Taiwan Tibet Human Rights Alliance, asserted that the ultimate result of the “one country, two systems” policy is the “exile of Tibetans and Hong Kongers.” He reminded everyone that “we can speak out here because we are in Taiwan. We have a greater responsibility to speak for those who cannot.”
Shih Yi-hsiang, a senior researcher at the Taiwan Association for Human Rights, pointed out the absurd reactions of the Hong Kong police during the June 4th crackdown and the Hong Kong government’s ban on the Taiwanese mobile game “Sons of the Iron Throne”, illustrating their extreme fear of any minor actions by Hong Kong people, afraid of inciting a revolution. He emphasized that in free Taiwan, “we must stand up to support Hong Kong and be prepared for the accountability moment after the collapse of the Chinese Communist Party and the Hong Kong government.”
Hong Kong artist Wong Kwok-choi reiterated the beliefs of the protesters poetically, stating, “In 2019, we said flowers would bloom everywhere. Today in 2025, we have achieved it. Because we persist, there is hope.”
Hong Kong exile and deputy head of the Taoyuan No. 1 constituency recall, expressed her personal experience, saying, “I have lost one home, and I will not let the second home tread the same path to destruction.” She emphasized, “Recall is love, it is to protect our future generations.”
The organizers mentioned that at 8 o’clock that night, the procession arrived at the Freedom Square amidst relentless rain, drenching banners and hems, yet failing to extinguish the steadfastness and commitment in the participants’ eyes. In the flickering lights, the crowd stood silently, as if narrating an ongoing memory and promise to the square once stood for freedom.
Hong Kong-born scholar Xu Cheng’en stated that the Chinese Communist Party’s war on Taiwan has long been in progress, infiltrating economically, culturally, in the media, academia, and in parliament.
Former Deputy Convener of the Hong Kong Civil Human Rights Front Zheng Sir-law emphasized that commemoration days should not be mere nostalgia, as this battle is not history but an ongoing event. Hong Kong people have been impacted by the Chinese Communist regime, scattered around the world, shining voices from democratic countries can influence policymaking, make the world pay more attention to Taiwan, and prevent the penetration and threats of authoritarian states. He urged both Hong Kongers and Taiwanese to face a common future together.
Hong Kong council candidate Ajin stated, “Hong Kong people need to start thinking about building a future Hong Kong nation: with a parliament, self-defense forces, and institutional network.”
Frontline protester Cai Zhi-hao, who obtained Taiwanese identity through asylum, said, “I may be a free person today, but this freedom was not brought from Hong Kong; it was earned amidst blood, tears, and the sacrifices and irreversible dispersal of numerous comrades.” He reminded Hong Kong people in Taiwan not to be complacent, stressing, “Our revolution is not over, and our memory lives on.”
Finally, Hong Kongers in Taiwan and others at the Freedom Square sang “Glory to Hong Kong.” The gathering concluded with chants of “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times.” The organizers affirmed, “In this long night unrest, we will continue to believe that twilight will not extinguish, because as long as people exist, the fire will not die, and the resistance is not over.”