Nathan Law Praises Taiwan’s Fight for Freedom at Book Launch
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Nathan Law has praised Taiwan’s democratic journey as a source of inspiration for his own advocacy work. Speaking at the launch of his new book in Taipei, Law highlighted Taiwan’s decades-long struggle for freedom as a model for Hong Kong to follow.
The book, ‘When the Wind Blows – The Struggles for Freedom of Hong Kong’, chronicles Law’s personal story and experiences in exile. He chose to promote his new book in Taiwan because it is no longer possible to release it in Hong Kong.
Born in China and raised in Hong Kong, Nathan Law was a student leader in the city’s 2014 Umbrella Movement and a prominent figure in the 2019 Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement (Anti-ELAB Movement). After going into exile before the enactment of the National Security Law in Hong Kong on June 30, 2020, Law, currently based in London, continues to advocate globally for Hong Kong’s freedom and democracy.
During the discussion session at the event, Law mentioned that his father left for Hong Kong from southern China in the 1970s, as the city was then seen as a place of hope for Chinese refugees. ‘But in our generation, 40 years later, Hong Kong has already become a place that exports refugees,’ said Law, who was granted political asylum in the United Kingdom in 2021.
Robert Tsao, one of the panellists and the founder of contract chipmaker United Microelectronics Corp, said the new book reminded him of the impact and awakening he experienced in Hong Kong when he joined the street protests during the Anti-ELAB Movement. Tsao emphasized that Taiwan, as the last bastion of freedom in the Chinese-speaking world, must not fall.
Doubts Revealed
Nathan Law -: Nathan Law is a person who fights for democracy and freedom. He is from Hong Kong and now lives in London.
Taiwan -: Taiwan is an island country near China. It has its own government and is known for being democratic.
Book Launch -: A book launch is an event where an author introduces their new book to the public.
Pro-democracy activist -: A pro-democracy activist is someone who works to make sure people have the right to vote and have a say in their government.
Democratic journey -: A democratic journey is the process a country goes through to become a place where people can vote and have freedoms.
Inspiration -: Inspiration means something that makes you want to do something or feel hopeful.
Exile -: Exile means being forced to live away from your home country, often for political reasons.
Advocate -: To advocate means to support or argue for a cause or policy.
Robert Tsao -: Robert Tsao is a person who spoke at the event. He talked about how important Taiwan’s freedom is.
Panellist -: A panellist is someone who speaks or answers questions at an event or discussion.
Chinese control -: Chinese control refers to the influence or power that the Chinese government tries to have over other places.
Bastion -: A bastion is a strong place that protects something important, like freedom.
