Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Is China testing how far it can go?

Palden Sonam

China seems to be testing the reaction of the international community if it were to repeat another Tiananmen-like massacre in Hong Kong.

However, before getting there, it is important to review what has been going on in the past weeks and to identify some of changes that have taken place in the territory’s pro-democracy movement.

The ongoing political crisis in Hong Kong has been growing in multiple ways since it started with protests against a proposed extradition bill that was formally rescinded on Wednesday.

Lam formally rescinds extradition bill

Taipei Times

A man at a home electronics store in Hong Kong yesterday watches Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam announce the withdrawal of an extradition bill.
Photo: AP

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam (林鄭月娥) yesterday said that her government would formally withdraw an extradition bill that has ignited months of protests.

HK activists call for Taiwanese to rally

Taipei Times

From left, Hong Kong democracy activists Lester Shum, Eddie Chu and Joshua Wong visit the Democratic Progressive Party’s headquarters in Taipei yesterday.
Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei Times

Hong Kong democracy activists Joshua Wong (黃之鋒), Lester Shum (岑敖暉) and Eddie Chu (朱凱迪) yesterday called on Taiwanese to support the territory’s fight for greater democracy and autonomy by holding a rally before China’s National Day on Oct. 1.

Hong Kong police are out of control

Taipei Times Editorial

Former British home secretary Robert Peel, credited as the father of modern policing, in 1829 established the Metropolitan Police, the world’s first professional police force.

In a force made up of ordinary citizens, police officers nicknamed “bobbies” were expected to adhere to the “Peelian principles,” often summarized as “policing by consent.” This meant that rather than using fear on the streets of London, “bobbies” had to secure and maintain the approval, respect and affection of the public, an ethos that is still followed. The Hong Kong Police Force of old, modeled on Britain’s police force, once adhered to these principles and was considered “Asia’s finest.”

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