Taiwan’s recall vote is entering the final countdown as the Chinese government’s Taiwan Affairs Office voices support for the Kuomintang party against the recall. Lin Dehao, the owner of the September Tea Restaurant in Taipei established by Taiwanese and Hong Kong people, states that the former “Pearl of the Orient,” Hong Kong, has fallen, and urges Taiwanese not to follow in Hong Kong’s footsteps, but to pick up their pens and defend Taiwan on July 26.
The Central Election Commission of the Republic of China recently announced that the recall vote for 24 Kuomintang lawmakers and Hsinchu City Mayor Ko Wen-an will take place on July 26. Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Chinese government’s Taiwan Affairs Office, when asked by the media about the characterization of the Taiwan recall vote on July 26 as “anti-communist pro-Taiwan,” expressed support for the Kuomintang lawmakers against the recall.
Lin Dehao, a Taiwan-based Hong Konger, has displayed a large banner at the entrance of his September Tea Restaurant in Taipei that reads, “Five years ago, we Hong Kongers were helpless. On July 26, pick up your pens and defend Taiwan.” Additionally, a slogan on the restaurant’s door reads, “Protect democracy, stop infiltration, unity is our strength,” calling on Taiwanese people to participate in the major recall vote and safeguard democracy.
Lin Dehao, who is 31 years old this year, arrived in Taiwan in 2014 during the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong and introduced Hong Kong’s democratic struggle to his Taiwanese classmates through live broadcasts. During the 2019 Hong Kong anti-extradition protests, millions took to the streets to defend freedom and democracy but faced severe repression by the Hong Kong government and police against peaceful demonstrators. “The police in Hong Kong were very harsh on the people. This should not have happened, and it made us feel angry and disappointed.”
Six years have passed since the Hong Kong anti-extradition protests, and the Hong Kong National Security Law has been in effect for five years. Lin Dehao, who participated in the protests, mentioned that Hong Kong legislators used to oversee the government’s actions, but the democratic rights and universal suffrage desired by Hong Kongers were stripped away, leading to the collapse of foreign investment and business confidence. The loss of freedom was deeply felt, forcing many to leave Hong Kong.
Lin Dehao stated that Hong Kong has now succumbed to authoritarian rule, losing its former brilliance as the “Pearl of the Orient.” He expressed gratitude to Taiwan for providing freedom and educational opportunities, enabling him to pursue his passion for architecture for four years. Taiwan’s diverse higher education system and democratic institutions offer young people more choices, contrasting sharply with the restrictions in Hong Kong.
Operating the September Tea Restaurant in Taipei for five and a half years, Lin Dehao regards Taiwan as his home and does not wish to leave, nor does he want to see Taiwan become like Hong Kong. He aims to bring the culture of Hong Kong-style tea restaurants to Taiwan and share the stories of Hong Kong with the Taiwanese people, cautioning them not to trust the Chinese Communist Party, as “much of what they say is lies.”
He remarked, “In fact, the Taiwanese Legislative Yuan is quite similar to the former Hong Kong Legislative Council. Some party lawmakers are eager to seize power.” He urged Taiwanese people to participate in the major recall vote, stating, “Hong Kong serves as a warning: from expanding the powers of the legislature, suppressing speech, to the complete loss of democracy. If Taiwanese people are not vigilant, they may follow the same path. Recall is not just self-protection but the beginning of preserving our freedom.”
The September Tea Restaurant noted in a photo caption that recall is a weapon given to the people in a democratic society to counter irresponsible legislators. It criticized the Kuomintang for proposing significant cuts to diplomatic and defense budgets, hindering local and information security development, reducing social welfare budgets for youth and indigenous peoples, impacting Taiwan’s future.
In April last year, KMT caucus leader Fu Kun-chi led 17 blue camp legislators to meet with the Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Wang Yang, in mainland China. Lin Dehao stated that for China to take Taiwan forcibly would come at a high cost and casualties, as the People’s Liberation Army lacks combat experience. The cheapest way for China to infiltrate Taiwan is through the Legislative Yuan, using KMT legislators to change Taiwan’s laws, making it easier for China to infiltrate. Thus, Taiwan must understand the truth and see through the evil of the CCP.
Regarding the CCP’s evil nature, Lin Dehao mentioned that Taiwanese singer Tank (Lu Jianzhong) recently announced a successful simultaneous heart and liver transplant in China. He believes the CCP engages in forced organ harvesting since organ matching typically involves long waits and difficulty finding suitable donors. “Why is it so easy to match organs in China? Everyone should ponder this question seriously.”
Lin Dehao warned that if the major recall fails, Taiwan will descend into chaos, potentially leading to a Chinese takeover. “Taiwanese people may have to leave Taiwan, otherwise they could be detained, and you might not see your family or parents again.” He pointed out that the CCP’s brainwashing education policy eroded Hong Kongers’ critical thinking skills, replacing it with mandatory “patriotic” education, stripping people of their national identity and freedom. He cautioned that should Taiwan follow Hong Kong’s path, it will face economic decline, capital flight, and the disintegration of its education and culture.