Youth Movements

As Democracy Further Deteriorates in Hong Kong, Taiwan Proposes Increasing Barriers to Hong Kong Permanent Residency

Brian Hioe
The deterioration of what is left of electoral democracy continues in Hong Kong, with plans by the Hong Kong government to decrease the number of directly elected district councilor seats from over 90% to around 20%. Despite this, the Mainland Affairs Council may move forward with plans to increase the barriers for Hongkongers seeking to obtain permanent residency in Taiwan...
EnglishMay 2023Self-DeterminationSocial MovementsYouth Movements5 min read

Visa Denials for Pro-Democracy District Councilors May Reflect Hardening Views of Hongkongers in Taiwan

Brian Hioe
A report by Hong Kong’s Ming Pao last week stated that at least two current pro-democracy Hong Kong district councilors and several former Hong Kong district councilors have not heard any answer from the Taiwanese government when applying for visas to visit Taiwan, or had their applications rejected. This occurred despite that these district councilors were not intending to flee to Taiwan for asylum, were only hoping to travel with friends and family to Taiwan to vacation, see friends, and sightseeing, and some had successfully entered Taiwan as recently as 2021...
April 2023EnglishSelf-DeterminationSocial MovementsYouth Movements6 min read

228 Anniversary Reminds of Continued Struggle for Transitional Justice in Taiwan

Brian Hioe
On the 76th anniversary of the 228 Massacre, commemorations were held to memorialize the event, traditionally viewed as the start of the decades-long White Terror that followed. This includes many events held annually, such as the Gongsheng Music Festival–the indie rock festival held on Ketagalan Boulevard organized by civil society groups–as well as commemorations by the government. Nevertheless, the anniversary of the 228 Massacre should point to how the pan-Blue camp in Taiwan has generally sought to avoid reckoning with its authoritarian past...
EnglishFebruary 2023Self-DeterminationSocial MovementsYouth Movements7 min read

Rally Held to Commemorate One-Year Anniversary of Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Brian Hioe
A rally was held this afternoon at Liberty Plaza in Taipei to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, organized by Taiwan Stands with Ukraine. The rally involved a number of Taiwanese and Ukrainian speakers, with interpretation in both English and Mandarin. Around 150 to 200 were present for the rally...
EnglishFebruary 2023Self-DeterminationSocial MovementsYouth Movements5 min read

Largest National Security Trial to Date Starts in Hong Kong

Brian Hioe
The largest national security trial to date in Hong Kong started on Monday, with 47 defendants standing trial over charges of “conspiracy to commit subversion", with the act of subversion being directed at the state. The trial is over the defendants’ participation in or involvement in organizing primaries for pro-democracy candidates in Hong Kong LegCo elections...
EnglishFebruary 2023Self-DeterminationSocial MovementsYouth Movements5 min read