By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, July 1: As Chinese president Xi Jinping makes his maiden visit to Hong Kong, a global coalition of Tibet advocacy group has expressed solidarity with the people of Hong Kong and their aspirations for genuine democracy, self-governance and rule of law on the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s Handover to China.
The International Tibet Network (ITN), a global coalition of 185 Tibet advocacy groups, said, “Two decades on, the territory remains denied the universal suffrage that it was promised under the Basic Law.”
“We express our grave concerns over Beijing’s increasing interference in Hong Kong politics and the rapid erosion of freedom in recent years, including the persecution of pro-democracy activists and the undue influence over elections,” the organization said in the statement signed by members of the group.
Amid calling for democracy, self-determination and calling for the release of Chinese Nobel Peace Laureate Liu Xiaobo, the call for the release of Tibetan activist Tashi Wangchuk were also made.
Tashi Wangchuk was charged with ‘inciting separatism and has been kept in detention since his arrest in January 2016. Tashi was the key subject of a NYT reportage including a short documentary on him, an ethnic Tibetan, pursuing legal resorts to urge the authorities to adopt bilingual education.
Admiring the ‘unwavering commitment to nonviolence’ and ‘indomitable spirit’ of people of Hong Kong, especially the youth, the group said, “We express our deep respect for all those fighting for their fundamental freedoms, in particular those who continue to suffer from the oppression of the Chinese Communist Party.”
The police today arrested around 20 activists including Joshua Wong and Leung Kwok-hung and Raphael Wong following a scuffle after the protesters attempted to storm the flag raising ceremony at the Golden Bauhinia Square.
They were later released and accused the police of assaulting them while in custody. Joshua, one of the Umbrella Movement leaders, following his release said that the newly appointed Hong Kong’s new chief executive Carrie Lam would be a ‘nightmare for Hong Kong’.
“Theoretically, the chief executive is a bridge between the central government and the Hong Kong people. But Lam will be a tilted bridge. She will only tell us what Beijing wants, and won’t reflect what the people want to the communist regime,” the activist said.
However, Chinese President Xi Jinping in his address gave a stern warning to the protesters not to cross the ‘red line’.
“Any attempt to endanger China’s sovereignty and security, challenge the power of the central government and Hong Kong’s Basic Law, or use Hong Kong to carry out infiltration and sabotage activities against the mainland is an act that crosses a red line. It is absolutely impermissible,” said Xi who visited Hong Kong for the first time since his appointment as the President in 2012.
