One year of Hong Kong protests Residents are reluctant but helpless

One year of Hong Kong protests Citizens rebound in various places while feeling helpless June 9 19:00

Nine days have passed since the series of protests began in Hong Kong, and amidst the impending introduction of the "national security legislation" by China, citizens protesting in various places have protested. However, the feeling of helplessness has spread among the citizens, making it difficult to carry out large-scale protests like the past.

In Hong Kong, a march with 1.03 million citizens participated in a announcement by the organizer on June 9 last year to oppose the proposed amendment of the ordinance that allows suspects to be handed over to mainland China. It was.

As one year after the series of protests began, protests were called at various places during the lunch break on the 9th, of which more than 100 citizens were in the commercial facility in the center of Hong Kong Island. Said, "I can't breathe, give freedom to Hong Kong," or "independence of Hong Kong."

By the end of last month, there were 8986 people arrested for alleged riots and illegal gatherings related to protests, according to police, of which 6,600 were between 16 and 30. By age, the number of young people stands out.

Democratic groups and lawmakers are accelerating against the introduction of the "national security legislation" that controls anti-governmental movements in Hong Kong in China, and protests are being called every day.

However, as China has taken a powerful step in overhauling legislation, it is becoming more powerless among citizens, making it difficult to carry out large-scale protests like the past.

Hong Kong citizens

It has been a year since a series of protests began in Hong Kong, and the way people think about protests has changed.

Among them, the 20-year-old woman wants to continue appealing until the Hong Kong government responds to the demands of citizens, but said, ``I think that the method of fighting is not the same as before, and we need to change to a method that can continue I was talking."

Also, those who have actively participated in protests so far have said, ``Because the government prohibits more than nine people from gathering, many people are not participating in demonstrations because of fear of crackdown.'' I'm not sure I'll be able to go home safely if I go to the demonstration like before because the police are increasing the pressure of hard-line means," he said, indicating that many people are afraid of police enforcement.

In addition, the 21-year-old woman regretted, "I just want to leave Hong Kong. I just want to keep protesting in my heart."

Hong Kong people who moved to Taiwan

Last year, in Taiwan, approximately 5,800 Hong Kong people, who were 40% more than last year, were eligible for long-term stay.

For Hong Kongers to qualify for a long-term stay, they need to find a job in Taiwan, etc., and in April, a restaurant opened in April to provide a place for Hong Kongers to work. did.

It is run by a Hong Kong-based woman who moved to Taiwan, and there are many pictures of the demonstrations that took place in Hong Kong all over the wall. Has been sent.

A female customer from Hong Kong, who also participated in a demonstration held in Hong Kong and then moved to Taiwan, said, ``Hong Kong is getting closer to mainland China and hope for Hong Kong becomes smaller and smaller, and I do not want to live in fear. I came to Taiwan, and I have freedom of speech, religion, and freedom of publication in Taiwan. It is wonderful to choose the president and dismiss the mayor."

Also, a male customer from Hong Kong who has been staying for a long time since work last year said, "The Hong Kong government does not represent citizens and does not care about them. I'm very worried when it disappears, and I will seriously consider moving away from Hong Kong."

Hong Kong Democratic Organization Executive “Political Surveillance Comes Real”

Mr. Huang Huang, an executive of a democratic organization in Hong Kong, posted a video on Twitter on the night of the 6th of this month in Hong Kong that he was taken by a man and was taken secretly. He is concerned that the scrutiny is increasing as the introduction of the "legal system" is approaching.

In the video posted by Huang on Twitter, you can see how the masked man turned things like mobile phones toward Huang and his friends, and how Huang and his friends quarreled over him.

Mr. Huang commented, "Why is the "National Security Law" not yet enacted and why it is being monitored? Sadly, political surveillance is becoming a new reality in Hong Kong."

China "Do not allow interference from foreign countries"

The Chinese government has repeatedly opposed the criticisms of the United States and the United Kingdom over the introduction of the "national security legislation" as "interference with domestic affairs."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chun Yi also explained at the press conference on the 9th that Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a telephone conversation with British Foreign Minister Raab on the 8th to discuss the situation in Hong Kong.

In this, Huahua said, “Hong Kong is China's internal affairs and does not allow foreign interference. Protecting national security in Hong Kong is at the heart of China's core interests. Maintaining national security is central. It is the power of the government to be the same in each country, and China is no exception."

Furthermore, he said, "It is rational to take legislative measures and apply them to Hong Kong in response to the current situation of national security in Hong Kong." Emphasized China's position to promote the introduction.

Expert "I wonder how much the one-country-two system can be maintained"

Professor Toru Kurata of Rikkyo University, who is familiar with politics in Hong Kong, said that China decided to introduce "national security legislation" "It is definitely a big threat to Hong Kong's autonomy and the "one country and two systems" promised in Hong Kong. I'm wondering how much the status quo can be protected”.

Regarding the background of China's introduction, in addition to responding to a series of protests since last year, the legislative election of the legislative assembly that is the parliament of Hong Kong in September was cited, ``For the Chinese government, Interprets that getting a majority of the seats means that Hong Kong's politics are out of control, and it is a situation close to independence.There is a strong sense of crisis that it must be stopped, and it is clear that this is a short-term purpose. I am doing it."

Regarding the view that the introduction of the "national security legislation" will also affect the functioning of Hong Kong as an international financial center, he said, "It is an extremely irreversible merit for China, and I will never let it go. But it's a matter of whether the international community accepts China's idea that the economy is connected to the world by tightening only the political aspect. There is no doubt that this action carries some risks."