A Letter to the People of Hong Kong: “Bravely say "NO!" to Article 23”

Apple Daily reported in its main headline on December 16, “The historians will record this event in the history of Hong Kong.” This quote refers to the parade against Article 23 on 15th December. It was originally estimated that a maximum of 5000 people would join the parade, but it turned out that 60,000 people took part. Throwing their personal interests aside and regardless of their financial troubles, they resolutely stood up to show their concerns about the freedom and human rights of their society. The HK people should be proud of these people. They are worthy of our warmest applause and highest appreciation.

For more than three years, the Jiang regime in Mainland China has been brutally persecuting Falun Gong practitioners by all possible means. Now, they intend to extend their persecution to Hong Kong. The HK government wants to implement Article 23, an anti-subversion law. Those with an understanding of democracy will see that Article 23 is essentially evil! It will severely damage HK people’s freedom of thought, speech, gathering and forming associations. The victims of the evil law will not only be the Chinese people of Hong Kong and Mainland China, but everyone, including people from other countries who travel to Hong Kong in the future. They too could be imprisoned under the Article 23 legislation.

I still do not understand why the HK government has been continually submissive to Beijing. It has been five years since Hong Kong has reverted to Chinese sovereignty. Yet the promise of “no change for fifty years” has been easily disregarded. How embarrassing it is for the six million HK citizens! Is Hong Kong allowing others to trample on it without any dignity? Don’t we feel painful and bitter for the loss of democracy? Shouldn’t Hong Kong go its own way? Can HK people be silent anymore?

Because Article 23 concerns human rights and the freedom of HK people, the governments of Britain and America, as well as the European Parliament, have shown their deep concerns over this issue. They have asked the HK government to show understanding for their citizens, respect the will of the public and stop Article 23 as soon as possible.

Here I willingly and sincerely tell you: you have a duty to express your concerns against the legislation of Article 23 to your relatives and friends and to government officials. Only through kindness and defending human rights and freedom today can we be ensured of our human rights and freedom tomorrow! Once Hong Kong loses its democracy and freedom, its prosperity will degrade relentlessly.

Dear friends! Please awaken your benevolence and affection, and your love for yourself and Hong Kong. Say “No!” bravely to Article 23.

Cherish what you have now!

Translated from Chinese at
http://www.yuanmingeurope.net/articles/200212/15564.html