Thousands of people marched through downtown Hong Kong on New Year's Day to demand full democracy in this former British colony, the biggest rally since a mass protest in July that threw the government into crisis.
Chanting "return power to the people," about 100,000 protesters marched from an urban park to the government headquarters, according to organizers. Police declined to provide their own crowd-size estimate, and there was no way to confirm the figure.
PHOTO: AP
The demonstration was seen as a crucial barometer of public sentiment, exactly six months after a half-million people took to the streets denouncing an anti-subversion bill proposed by the Hong Kong government, and backed by Beijing, as a threat to freedom.
"We have made history again!" said rally spokesman Richard Tsoi.
Yesterday's turnout exceeded predictions by organizers, who said earlier that people would have less impetus to protest this time.
The government's controversial proposal was shelved in October, and Hong Kong's economy -- another source of public discontent -- appears to be on the rebound.
Marchers -- many of whom also protested on July 1 -- said that wasn't enough.
"Democracy is something we need to maintain a fair society," said 40-year-old Connie Yau, a civil servant.
Since coming under Chinese rule in 1997, Hong Kong has enjoyed Western-style freedoms unheard of on the mainland, but remains only partially democratic.
Hong Kong's top leader Tung Chee-hwa (
Protesters yesterday heaped criticism on Tung, who has faced calls for his resignation over the anti-subversion bill and alleged economic mismanagement.
"Tung hasn't listened enough," said businessman Steve Lee.
RESPONSE: The transit sends a message that China’s alignment with other countries would not deter the West from defending freedom of navigation, an academic said Canadian frigate the Ville de Quebec and Australian guided-missile destroyer the Brisbane transited the Taiwan Strait yesterday morning, the first time the two nations have conducted a joint freedom of navigation operation. The Canadian and Australian militaries did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Ministry of National Defense declined to confirm the passage, saying only that Taiwan’s armed forces had deployed surveillance and reconnaissance assets, along with warships and combat aircraft, to safeguard security across the Strait. The two vessels were observed transiting northward along the eastern side of the Taiwan Strait’s median line, with Japan being their most likely destination,
GLOBAL ISSUE: If China annexes Taiwan, ‘it will not stop its expansion there, as it only becomes stronger and has more force to expand further,’ the president said China’s military and diplomatic expansion is not a sole issue for Taiwan, but one that risks world peace, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday, adding that Taiwan would stand with the alliance of democratic countries to preserve peace through deterrence. Lai made the remark in an exclusive interview with the Chinese-language Liberty Times (sister paper of the Taipei Times). “China is strategically pushing forward to change the international order,” Lai said, adding that China established the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, launched the Belt and Road Initiative, and pushed for yuan internationalization, because it wants to replace the democratic rules-based international
ECONOMIC BOOST: Should the more than 23 million people eligible for the NT$10,000 handouts spend them the same way as in 2023, GDP could rise 0.5 percent, an official said Universal cash handouts of NT$10,000 (US$330) are to be disbursed late next month at the earliest — including to permanent residents and foreign residents married to Taiwanese — pending legislative approval, the Ministry of Finance said yesterday. The Executive Yuan yesterday approved the Special Act for Strengthening Economic, Social and National Security Resilience in Response to International Circumstances (因應國際情勢強化經濟社會及民生國安韌性特別條例). The NT$550 billion special budget includes NT$236 billion for the cash handouts, plus an additional NT$20 billion set aside as reserve funds, expected to be used to support industries. Handouts might begin one month after the bill is promulgated and would be completed within
The National Development Council (NDC) yesterday unveiled details of new regulations that ease restrictions on foreigners working or living in Taiwan, as part of a bid to attract skilled workers from abroad. The regulations, which could go into effect in the first quarter of next year, stem from amendments to the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals (外國專業人才延攬及僱用法) passed by lawmakers on Aug. 29. Students categorized as “overseas compatriots” would be allowed to stay and work in Taiwan in the two years after their graduation without obtaining additional permits, doing away with the evaluation process that is currently required,
RSS