Posted on 08/14/2018 11:26:27 AM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
A pro-independence Hong Kong politician whose party is under threat of a ban lashed out at China in a closely watched Tuesday speech, drawing immediate criticism from local authorities.
Andy Chan Ho-tin, a member of the Hong Kong National Party, has been at the center of controversy over free speech and Hong Kong's autonomy. The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Hong Kong, which invited him, came under pressure itself from the central government in Beijing as well as local authorities to cancel the event.
Dozens of protesters gathered outside the club in central Hong Kong amid heavy police presence as what appeared to be mostly anti-independence demonstrators held up signs and shouted slogans.
Hong Kong enjoys rights not allowed in mainland China, such as the freedom to criticize political leaders, but the central government and local authorities has drawn a red line at calls for independence and has pressured local leaders to back that up.
In his speech, Chan said his party has been "demonized as some sort of extremist group" by China for advocating independence and that he has come under harsh surveillance by authorities.
"In reality, what the National Party is chasing after is no different from what many Hong Kongers wish for: the dream of democracy," Chan said.
Some protesters came out to support Chan's right to speak out.
"I support freedom of speech," said a man who would only identify himself as a Hong Kong citizen named Johnny.
"China is killing this city," he added.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnbc.com ...
China will shortly arrest and murder these people.
Some brave people left in this world.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.