Lee Teng-hui, the first people0elected President in Taiwan, passed away in late July this year. Leaders of many countries and international media all wanted to report this news, emphasizing his achievement of leading Taiwan from authoritarian to democracy without any civil war or military coup. This “silent revolution” has earned Lee the prestigious title “Father of Taiwan Democracy.” At the same time, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam used the Wuhan epidemic as an excuse to postpone Hong Kong Legislative Council (LegCo) election from Sept. 6 this year to Sept. 5, 2021. The tenure of all current lawmakers will also be extended until the new term begins next year.

The news shocked the city, not only because the decision of extending lawmakers’ tenure is lacking legal basis; more importantly, it seems that the pro-Beijing political parties are not winning hearts at the moment so people speculated that, the government’s real motive might be using an extension to help them to stay in the seats. Therefore society is furious and some people asked all lawmakers from the pan-democracy camp (pan-dems), including those from the Democratic Party, to resign en masse in order to boycott LegCo and draw international attention.

What worries me, however, is whether “resigning en masse” can resolve the problem. What’s next? In what position we can be to continue as the citizens’ mouths and ears if we give up our seats? How can we answer those who want us to remain in LegCo? Will the government disqualify those parties that join the mass resignation for good? Without pan-dems’ checks and balances in LegCo, no one would be able to monitor and stop any evil law from being legislated, such as tightening the eligibility of LegCo candidates or allowing Hongkongers in the mainland to vote. In view of the above, I believe staying put in LegCo should be encouraged instead of giving up this “LegCo fight line” so easily.

Let’s take a look at Taiwan again. After being forced to leave the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1971, to this date, the Republic of China still could not re-join. Despite having done such a fantastic job in fighting the epidemic and received so much support from other countries to attend the World Health Assembly, Taiwan has still been rejected. Therefore it shows that, not staying in “the system” (LegCo) has serious consequences.

I have also observed Taiwan’s process of becoming a democracy, which started as early as during the Japanese occupation. During the era of the Republic of China, first, there was the February 28 incident, then the martial law and a series of political protests; later, the martial law was lifted, newspaper and political party deregulated, all government officials, including the president and vice president, are being directly elected by people, plus constitutions being amended numerous times. Finally, from continuous bloodshed and conflicts to a peaceful transfer of political power, Taiwan has now got democracy as a result. But it didn’t happen overnight. It was the years of sacrifice of many people from those in the high society and academical world, to those unsung heroes and ordinary folks. I believe, many have fought their whole life but could not live to this day to witness Taiwan heading to real freedom and democracy.

On the other hand, Hong Kong’s regime is like Taiwan during the martial law era, when police were utilized to abuse and suppress people. 9000 protesters have been arrested so far and 1800 have been charged. In August, the police even mobilized 200 police manpower to raid and search Apple Daily Headquarters. The police also charge Lam Cheuk-ting, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party, for rioting, by twisting the truth of the Jul. 21 event in Yuen Long, when Lam rushed to the scene and tried to protect citizens who were attacked by the white-clad triad members, and said that Lam was “taking part in a riot.” How crazy and ridiculous the Hong Kong regime is.

After having been granted bail on Aug. 27, a reporter asked Lam whether he would protest by resigning. He said, “Many comrades and I have been charged. During these dark days, we have to leave a glimpse of light so that we have hope. When we keep guarding this LegCo fight line, we will have hope. I, as an individual, is nothing, but the public opinion I am carrying is the heavyweight the regime fears!” Such a valid point, which also explained that, resigning not only does not help the cause, but is also an irresponsible act.

Watching Hongkongers, especially the young generation fighting with their lives to pursue universal value such as freedom and democracy, as a lawmaker, I strongly believe it is necessary to stay in LegCo. Dear friends from Taiwan, you have shown us the road of protest can be hard and very long, but it is worthwhile. Your experience also told us, the “international fight line,” “street fight line” and “LegCo fight line” are all important and must coexist. Therefore, please carefully safeguard this hard-earned value, support us, walk with us. We will patiently wait for an opportunity, a turning point, and hopefully, the flower of freedom and democracy would one day blossom in Hong Kong.

(Wan Siu-kin is the former vice-chairman of the Democratic Party and a lawmaker.)

Click here for Chinese version

---------------------------------

Apple Daily’s all-new English Edition is now available on the mobile app: bit.ly/2yMMfQE

To download the latest version,

iOS: bit.ly/AD_iOS

Android: bit.ly/AD_android

Or search Appledaily in App Store or Google Play