Members of the Hong Kong Border City Youth, formed by Hong Kong people in Taiwan, along with several civil organizations in Taiwan and the “Taiwan Parliament Hong Kong Friendship Connection,” held a press conference at the Legislative Yuan on March 19. They emphasized their opposition to the draconian “23 Articles” in Hong Kong, expressed solidarity with political prisoners in Hong Kong, and rejected the cross-border suppression by the Chinese Communist Party.
During the press conference, they exposed how Hong Kong individuals have been subjected to cross-border suppression by the CCP and how the Hong Kong government has expanded its repression overseas. They called on Taiwan and the international community to take action together to safeguard freedom and human rights.
Feng Zhaotian (Sky), the Secretary-General of the Hong Kong Border City Youth, mentioned that despite resistance efforts in Hong Kong, it is challenging to withstand the various pressures exerted by the CCP and the Hong Kong government. This pressure is no longer confined to Hong Kong but has extended overseas in various forms. Participants at the press conference were all courageous activists who say no to the CCP for reasons including human rights, democracy, and freedom.
Huang Jie, the President of the Taiwan Parliament Hong Kong Friendship Connection and a legislator, reiterated that the CCP continues to strengthen its control over human rights in Hong Kong, particularly in cases involving erosion of freedom of speech. For instance, the Speech Therapists Union was charged with conspiring to publish instigating materials in their illustrated book “Sheep Village,” and individuals who wrote phrases like “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Times” on chairs have also been arrested.
Huang Jie stated that this demonstrates that Hong Kong individuals can be detained just for suspected offenses against “national security” based on words or drawings. Merely possessing related items can also lead to detention. Seeking international support can result in accusations of “colluding with foreign forces,” further escalating the charges. Faced with the authoritarian expansion of the CCP, the “Taiwan Parliament Hong Kong Friendship Connection” will continue to express support for Hong Kong, condemn these draconian laws, and stand alongside democracy and freedom.
Lin Rongji, the owner of Causeway Bay Books, expressed that due to the personalized nature of the CCP government, there are significant flaws in the system. In recent years, all legislation in Hong Kong has been primarily used for harsh repression. Those in Hong Kong deemed to have committed political crimes are punished; even Hong Kong residents abroad may be subjected to extradition by the Hong Kong government. Finally, he advised Hong Kong individuals to prioritize self-protection because there is still a long road ahead for the liberation of Hong Kong.
Futo, a Hong Kong resident in Taiwan, stated that the number of people convicted in Hong Kong on charges of “subversion” or “conspiring to subvert the state power” has exceeded those on the mainland during the same period. Moreover, the scope of the offense of “incitement” has expanded, legal tools are being abused, and freedom of speech is severely restricted. The Hong Kong government has resorted to tactics such as leaking personal information, intimidating employers, post-release monitoring, and even implementing cross-border surveillance on overseas Hong Kong residents, threatening their relatives in Hong Kong.
Futo urged the Taiwan government to provide more asylum and residency options and hoped that the international community would continue to pay attention to the human rights situation in Hong Kong, join democratic countries in exerting pressure, and safeguard the basic freedoms and rights of Hong Kong people.
Chiu Yiling, the Secretary-General of the Taiwan branch of Amnesty International, stated that the Hong Kong government repeatedly uses “national security” as justification for reviewing, harassing, arresting, and prosecuting individuals. Cases collected by the organization show that not only mainland Chinese and Hong Kong residents but also Taiwanese individuals are impacted by cross-border suppression measures, posing a serious threat to personal and civil rights and spaces in Taiwan.
Chiu Yiling called for the immediate abolition of Article 23 of the Basic Law, the National Security Law, and other legislation violating international human rights by the Hong Kong and CCP governments. Countries that prioritize human rights, including Taiwan, should actively ensure the freedom of Hong Kong residents within their borders.
Lee Mingxu, the Deputy Executive Director of the Civil Justice Reform Foundation, mentioned that the Hong Kong Legislative Council passed the 23 Articles legislation to further suppress democracy and freedom under the guise of “eliminating foreign forces.” Within just two months of its implementation, the police arrested eight individuals on charges of “inciting hatred” solely for posting information related to June 4th on Facebook, with the potential of facing up to 10 years in prison.
Lee Mingxu called for continued attention to the current situation in Hong Kong by the international community and Taiwan society, highlighting the case where lawyer Zou Xingtong chose not to plead guilty during her trial, defended herself personally, and insisted on speaking out.
Shi Yixiang, a senior researcher at the Taiwan Association for Human Rights Promotion, stated that democracy in Taiwan is facing a significant attack from internal conservative forces combined with external hostile forces. Therefore, it is essential to continue building a system that consolidates democracy and human rights, such as amending the Assembly and Parade Act to protect people’s right to peaceful assembly, reforming the police system to prevent abuses of power, establishing an independent judicial system, and defending the constitutional democracy system.
Lin Sikai, the Vice-Chairman of the Taiwan Youth Across Generations Association, emphasized that Hong Kong and Taiwan are the frontlines in resisting the CCP’s authoritarian expansion, with Hong Kong’s situation serving as poignant evidence. The continuous cross-border suppression by the expanding CCP government not only deeply impacts Hong Kong but also poses a clear threat to the world – anyone, anywhere, deemed as a “dissident” may become a target of CCP repression.
Lastly, the press conference announced upcoming actions. They will hold a street event at Taipei Fashion Plaza on March 23, showcasing hidden stories from Hong Kong through interactive art creations and “soapbox speeches,” ensuring that the voice of freedom continues to be heard. This event is not just a witness to Hong Kong’s past but also a collective creation and dialogue, inviting all friends who care about democracy and human rights to participate without fear of tyranny and together safeguard the values of freedom.