The July 1st question of Hong Kong social activists: Why can we gather for celebrations but not demonstrate?
July 1 this year marks the 24th anniversary of the transfer of sovereignty in Hong Kong and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. The Hong Kong government held a celebration event. Acting Chief Executive Li Jiachao said that Hong Kong society should have a deeper understanding of the “One Country, Two Systems” proposed and implemented under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. I understand and describe that Hong Kong has experienced “dark violence” in the past. Under the National Security Law, it can “turn from chaos to governance” and is expected to “rebound from the bottom”.
In Beijing, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping mentioned Hong Kong in his speech at the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, calling for the implementation of “comprehensive governance” and “national security system” to maintain the overall social stability of the SAR.
Since 2003, democratic groups have held anti-government demonstrations on the anniversary of the “July 1” sovereignty transfer in Hong Kong every year. Even though the police refused to apply for the demonstration on July 1 last year, a large number of citizens took to the streets to protest the “National Security Law.” , Hundreds of people were arrested that day.
Under the strict enforcement of the epidemic restriction order and the “National Security Law”, Hong Kong, once known as the “demonstrative capital”, has no more large-scale protests and demonstrations on July 1 this year.
The remaining voice of opposition on this day was a small number of Hong Kong pro-democracy groups setting up small street stations on the streets to distribute leaflets. At the same time, the Hong Kong police heavily blocked Victoria Park and stepped up searches for passers-by in Causeway Bay. Some people were arrested when they expressed their appeals during the search.
The police arrested at least seven people that day. The suspected crimes included “distribution of seditious publications” and “possession of imitation firearms.”
Image source,Reuters
This is the first Chinese marching under the command of Mandarin in Hong Kong’s celebration of the transfer of sovereignty.
Image source,Reuters
After Li Jiachao (middle) was promoted from Secretary for Security to Chief Secretary for Administration, when Carrie Lam was in Beijing, he attended the event as the acting chief executive for the first time.
Performing Chinese marching in Mandarin for the first time
On the morning of July 1, the Hong Kong government held a flag-raising ceremony at the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai to celebrate the 24th year of the transfer of sovereignty.
As Chief Executive Carrie Lam attended the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, the new Chief Secretary for Administration Li Jiachao officiated as the Acting Chief Executive. Chen Dong, deputy director of the Liaison Office, and various senior government officials also attended the event.
The biggest difference between this event and the past is that the police flag guard team used Chinese marching for the first time in the “July 1” flag raising ceremony, and switched to Mandarin instead of the previous English as instructions. The outside world described this small change as having a great Great symbolism.
In addition, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. The public speeches made by Hong Kong officials on this day also emphasized the leadership of the “Communist Party”. Unlike in the past, most officials call the mainland Chinese government as “central” and “state”.
In his speech at the event, Li Jiachao said that Hong Kong society should have a deeper understanding of the “One Country, Two Systems” proposed and implemented under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. He believed that the National Security Law would make Hong Kong “turn from chaos to governance” and have conditions to rebound from the “bottom bottom”. He said that with lofty national self-esteem, we must fully and accurately implement the “one country, two systems” and “contribute to the realization of the Chinese dream of the Chinese nation’s rejuvenation.”
The Secretary of Justice Zheng Ruohua stated on his blog that under the leadership of the Communist Party, the central government proposed “one country, two systems” to bring Hong Kong back smoothly. She quoted General Secretary Xi Jinping’s proposal of “political security as the foundation” and believed that Hong Kong should establish a “democracy with Hong Kong characteristics”. Electoral System”.
At North Point Pei Kiu Middle School, a flag-raising ceremony was also held. A large number of teachers and students attended the flag-raising ceremony by the honor guard of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison. Former Legislative Council Chairman Jasper Tsang who attended said that Hong Kong students have a weak awareness of national security. In the future, students must learn the spirit of the Communist Party and allow them to have a correct understanding of the Communist Party.
Image source,Reuters
Many Chinese national flags and Hong Kong regional flags are seen in the Hong Kong market.
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In Tsim Sha Tsui, some people celebrated with the Chinese flag and the Hong Kong regional flag. According to Hong Kong media reports, the police seemed to have no intention of imposing a gathering restriction order on these people.
Image source,Reuters
Hong Kong Pui Kiu Middle School held a flag-raising ceremony, attended by a large number of teachers and students, this flag-raising ceremony was raised by the honor guard of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison.
Hong Kong police seals Victoria Park and arrests Zou Xingtong
The Hong Kong pro-democracy group “Native Human Rights Front” has applied to the police for the “July 1” parade since 2003, but this year the “FDC” was regarded by the police as an “unregistered society” and it was difficult to apply for a parade. The temporary convener described the “FDC” The historical mission has been completed” and will not engage in activities for the time being.
Three groups, including the Hong Kong Democrats Social Civil Company, once applied to the police for a demonstration. It was originally expected that 10,000 people would participate, but the police rejected the relevant application on the grounds of a gathering restriction order under the epidemic.
Hong Kong media reported that on July 1, the Hong Kong police mobilized 10,000 people to deploy in various districts in Hong Kong to respond to emergencies.
The Hong Kong Police began to partially close the Victoria Park at noon to prevent anyone from participating in the unauthorized assembly, and stepped up interceptions in Causeway Bay.
In the morning, Huang Haoming, chairman of the Social People’s Company, and the three of them held a small-scale parade near Wan Chai, holding up a yellow banner of “Release All Political Prisoners” and holding red lanterns “Don’t forget your original intention”. When Huang Haoming read the statement, he criticized that the “National Security Law” made most of the prosecuted persons not be released on bail and criticized the law for trampling on human rights.
In the afternoon, the Social People’s Association and the Trade Unions planned to set up street stations in Causeway Bay and Mong Kok, but the police stopped them when they set up the street stations. They were warned that they might obstruct office work and violate the public security regulations, so they had to withdraw.
Deng Jianhua, executive committee member of the Trade Union Union, pointed out that the police arranged for narrower and stricter collections this year, and the materials were inspected by the police. He described that Causeway Bay on this day seemed to be martial law, and emphasized that the trade union’s street station complied with Hong Kong laws and did not encourage citizens to participate in what the police had already opposed. activity.
The Confederation of Trade Unions emphasized: “Even in the face of strong police suppression, we will still refuse to remain silent and stand on the street in Wan Chai. Even if the voice seems weak, this is still something we can do.”
The BBC Chinese visited the street station in Wan Chai. The chairman, Huang Hao Ming, dressed in black and a yellow mask, distributed flyers on the spot. They followed the government’s anti-epidemic regulations, and the street station was operated by only four people, but they were still intercepted by the police for investigation.
Huang Haoming said to the BBC Chinese: “For many years, Hong Kong has blossomed. There are so many people expressing their opinions in the July 1 parade. Today, on the grounds of the epidemic (rejecting the parade), why can so many people go to celebrate the Communist Party’s day when the parade is not approved? Why do they (seeing us) seem to be facing the enemy? Everyone has an answer in their hearts.”
He continued: “We hope that the people of Hong Kong will not be silent because of political pressure. What I fear is not severe penalties. What I fear is that Hong Kong people will give up their ideals and be silent. We will strive for the five major demands, democracy and freedom in 2019, and we hope to continue working hard in the future. .”
Chen Haohuan, convener of the Hong Kong Civil Human Rights Front: “Now is a period of high pressure, and it is inevitable to accept jail time.”
Image source,Reuters
On the morning of July 1, several members of the community protested to ask the authorities to release the arrested persons.
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A frequent demonstrator Granny Wang was taken away on the street.
During the police blockade of parts of Causeway Bay and the search of passers-by, the police pointed out that people assembled, displayed flags and protested slogans and clamored loudly, attracting passers-by to watch. The police once raised a yellow flag to warn those present that they might violate the law and be prosecuted. Frequent protester “Wang Po” Wang Fengyao appeared on the street with the British flag in the afternoon, and was surrounded by police and taken away. In addition, a citizen in black was intercepted and held up “May 1st” (the five major demands, one is indispensable) Gestures, and then the police officers locked their hands and took them away.
On the eve of “July 1”, Zou Xingtong, vice chairman of the Stake, was arrested again. The police alleged that she was involved in publicizing and appealing to others to participate in public activities related to “July 1”. She was earlier suspected of publicizing and calling for others to participate in the banned June 4th. After being arrested for the assembly, she was released. The police formally charged her for “inciting others to knowingly participate in an unauthorized assembly.” The case was brought to court on July 2.
Zou Xingtong sent a message to the media through his relatives and friends, saying that he did not expect that June 4th and July 1st would be spent in the police station this year: “This is persecution and it is also an honour. Thanks to the party state, I am respected, but I am on July 1st. In fact, it is just one of the thousands of Hong Kong people who want to speak up. If you catch me, you will not be able to stop everyone. They want to kill chickens and monkeys, and we have to tell them that Hong Kong people are not scared. of.”
Stake Zou Xingtong: “Red Line” cannot be used instead of “Bottom Line”
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The police blocked Victoria Park and cancelled some ball training classes that were originally scheduled to be held.
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The police blocked the streets of Causeway Bay to prevent people from gathering.
Image source,Reuters
Hong Kong media reported that the police mobilized 10,000 police officers to respond to emergencies.
The Hong Kong police arrested two men on June 29, claiming that they had seized 1.5 kilograms of potassium nitrate and sulfur believed to be used in the manufacture of explosives, as well as 580 shots of concrete nail guns containing gunpowder for industrial use, sketches for the manufacture of firearms and ammunition, and 5 The copy of firearms and the communication records of the two discussing the manufacture of firearms and ammunition.
The police claimed that they noticed someone spreading “posts inciting hatred” on social media, “threatening to use violence to achieve extreme goals,” and therefore conducted an in-depth investigation. The police said that this case reflects Hong Kong’s public safety risks and appeals to the public not to participate in unauthorized public activities.
The police also stated that at about 2 a.m. on July 1, someone threw a number of flammable bottles at the Government House of the Chief Executive near the slope of Lower Albert Road, causing a fire. No one was injured in the incident. The police strongly condemned the vandalism. The behavior of the law emphasizes that no violence is tolerated.