Trump stumbles on HK response

Originally published by the Taipei Times on 31/08/2019.

US President Donald Trump’s administration’s confused response to the Hong Kong crisis risks emboldening Beijing.

In June, Hong Kongers began demonstrating against a proposed extradition bill that threatens the territory’s autonomy.

Opposition to this proposal was so strong that at its peak, 2 million people were on the streets — roughly one-third of the population.

In response, the Hong Kong government suspended the bill, but did not fully withdraw it, a measure that was not good enough for many. This face-saving fudge, alongside the government’s general ineptitude and police brutality perpetrated under its watch, has led to weeks of demonstrations.

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Cross-Strait solidarity: Hongkongers and Taiwanese know they have to help save each other

Originally published by the Hong Kong Free Press on 24/08/2019.

“It is our Taiwan; we got to save it ourselves” was the rallying cry of Sunflower activists when they occupied their country’s Legislative Yuan in March 2014. Later that year, the slogan “Our Hong Kong, let’s save it ourselves” would become almost as synonymous as the yellow umbrella with the occupation of the city’s streets.

Both Sunflower and Umbrella movement activists proclaimed their commitment to democracy and their opposition to the People’s Republic of China. It is, therefore, no surprise that these protests have been linked together in the minds of outside observers. The connection has been made by activists and participants in Taiwan and Hong Kong too. In what might be one of the few positive examples of cross-strait relations in recent years.

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Labour must stand with Hongkongers

Originally published by Labour Uncut on 23/08/2019.

Tom Watson is right the United Kingdom must not sit idly by while Hongkongers lose their rights and freedoms – and neither should the Labour Party.

On 16 August the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party addressed, via video, thousands of pro-democracy protesters who had gathered at the Charter Garden in Hong Kong. The desire of those attending the Power to the People rally was a simple one, to have a government which was accountable to them, the citizens. Watson offered his solidarity and called on the British government to give “direct moral support for the people of Hong Kong”.

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