Anger has spread in Xinjiang’s capital, Urumqi, where protesters blame China’s strict “zero COVID” policy for a deadly blaze that ripped through a residential building, killing 10 people and injuring nine.
The residents claim that the pandemic restrictions hampered rescue attempts and prevented people escaping from their apartments. Throngs of residents in Urumqi have taken to the streets, triggering a wave of protests across China.
Students and residents rallied in Shanghai and Beijing, chanting “Down with [Chinese President] Xi Jinping (習近平),” “Chinese Communist Party (CCP) step down” and “We want freedom and democracy.”
This marks one of the rare occasions where protesters have dared to openly call for Xi’s removal.
Those who have been keeping close tabs on the development of China’s political scene are watching warily how things are unfolding. Even though China is viewing Taiwan as a wolf views its prey, the wolf’s cold aggression pales in comparison to the CCP’s ruthlessness.
Chinese and Taiwanese students who have studied abroad should encourage other Chinese and Taiwanese students studying overseas to rise and join the “white paper” protests through other means, as college students can play an essential role in a critical moment like this.
If the activists can gain a voice and become powerful over the next few weeks, they could inspire other college students and people from other countries to support their cause, which would bring them closer to toppling Xi’s duplicitous regime.
The CCP has relied on trying to brainwash the proletariat for the past 73 years, but it is now unmasked by a harsh reality.
Smart people have questioned why they are still living under strict lockdowns while the rest of the world is free to watch the FIFA World Cup in Qatar without wearing masks.
Professors, political rivals, military personnel and party members who have been oppressed and exploited by Xi also have an essential role to play in this peaceful revolution.
“Reunification” and “taking Taiwan by force” are only excuses and pretexts for the CCP to extend the regime’s rule.
As a fellow Chinese-speaking country, Taiwan has held democratic elections for decades and direct presidential elections seven times.
There has been no upheaval or rioting whenever a transition of power occurs. While democracy ensures a peaceful transition of power, it does not guarantee the efficiency or quality of leadership.
Compared with authoritarian nations, countries plagued by coups or places where wars are fought to secure regimes, the value of democracy far exceeds the atrocities of bloodshed under authoritarianism.
With the broadcast of Qatar’s World Cup, Chinese college students realized that the “zero COVID” policy was nothing more than a measure for Xi to consolidate his power, and that people’s lives are worthless in his eyes.
As college students have awakened to the CCP’s tyrannical nature, the wider public can too. As Taiwan acts as a beacon of light for China’s democratization, Taiwanese should rise and cheer for the Chinese college students.
If these protests could blossom into a large-scale protest like the “Jasmine Revolution” in Tunisia, the “white paper” protests or “peaceful revolution” in China could force Xi to step down and put an end to the CCP’s rule. China would finally be able to turn a new leaf and start a new chapter. I wish the Chinese college students the best of luck.
Chuang Sheng-rong is a lawyer.
Translated by Rita Wang
Speaking at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit on May 13, former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said that democracies must remain united and that “Taiwan’s security is essential to regional stability and to defending democratic values amid mounting authoritarianism.” Earlier that day, Tsai had met with a group of Danish parliamentarians led by Danish Parliament Speaker Pia Kjaersgaard, who has visited Taiwan many times, most recently in November last year, when she met with President William Lai (賴清德) at the Presidential Office. Kjaersgaard had told Lai: “I can assure you that ... you can count on us. You can count on our support
Denmark has consistently defended Greenland in light of US President Donald Trump’s interests and has provided unwavering support to Ukraine during its war with Russia. Denmark can be proud of its clear support for peoples’ democratic right to determine their own future. However, this democratic ideal completely falls apart when it comes to Taiwan — and it raises important questions about Denmark’s commitment to supporting democracies. Taiwan lives under daily military threats from China, which seeks to take over Taiwan, by force if necessary — an annexation that only a very small minority in Taiwan supports. Denmark has given China a
Many local news media over the past week have reported on Internet personality Holger Chen’s (陳之漢) first visit to China between Tuesday last week and yesterday, as remarks he made during a live stream have sparked wide discussions and strong criticism across the Taiwan Strait. Chen, better known as Kuan Chang (館長), is a former gang member turned fitness celebrity and businessman. He is known for his live streams, which are full of foul-mouthed and hypermasculine commentary. He had previously spoken out against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and criticized Taiwanese who “enjoy the freedom in Taiwan, but want China’s money”
A high-school student surnamed Yang (楊) gained admissions to several prestigious medical schools recently. However, when Yang shared his “learning portfolio” on social media, he was caught exaggerating and even falsifying content, and his admissions were revoked. Now he has to take the “advanced subjects test” scheduled for next month. With his outstanding performance in the general scholastic ability test (GSAT), Yang successfully gained admissions to five prestigious medical schools. However, his university dreams have now been frustrated by the “flaws” in his learning portfolio. This is a wake-up call not only for students, but also teachers. Yang did make a big
RSS