TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A pair of Chinese tourists tried to stop a pro-democracy protest launched by Hongkongers in Taipei on China's national day Tuesday (Oct. 1).
Hong Kong citizens living in Taiwan held a protest in Taipei's Ximending area to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, per Radio Free Asia. However, two Chinese tourists tore down their banners and made remarks such as, "Taiwan and Hong Kong are both part of China."
According to organizers, the event was called “Nation Day of Mourning” and was purposely held in one of Taipei's busiest areas. The event protested China's infringement on democracy, freedom, and human rights in Hong Kong and other regions.
The organizers placed banners along the street bearing slogans such as, "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times" and "Hong Kong Independence." However, before the event began, two Chinese tourists, a man and a woman, arrived and attempted to sabotage the rally by throwing the banners onto the ground and getting into a verbal altercation with the organizers.
The male Chinese tourist loudly exclaimed, "Today is China's National Day, and I will not allow these kinds of flags to be displayed," and "Taiwan and Hong Kong are both part of China."
Police arrived on the scene shortly after, separating both parties and allowing the Chinese tourists to leave.
One of the event organizers, a Hongkonger in Taiwan named Tong Wai-hung (湯偉雄), said that while Chinese tourists may disagree with the views of Hongkongers, it is unacceptable for them to destroy banners and throw them on the ground. He said such vandalism is not in line with the values of democracy and freedom.
He added, "If you, who don't have freedom, think that a lack of freedom is acceptable and do not think freedom is something precious, then go back to your China. Don’t come here to destroy our democracy and freedom."
Sky Fung (馮詔天), secretary-general of the Taiwan-based exile group Hong Kong Outlanders, who also attended the event, believes the behavior of the travelers is a result of “China's brainwashing education.”
Kacey Wong (黃國才), a Hong Kong artist living in Taiwan who witnessed the event, said it reflected how jingoistic Chinese nationalists are everywhere. He added that similar incidents of sabotaging protest activities occurred during Hong Kong's Umbrella Movement 10 years ago.
However, Wong said the most unacceptable thing this time is that after the Taiwanese police arrived at the scene, “the disruptors still arrogantly shouted that ‘Taiwan is part of China.’” As Taiwanese, Hongkongers, or people who love Taiwan, this statement cannot and should not be accepted, said Wong, who suggested that Taiwan should not allow these tourists to visit again.
