Still, I share James’ recollections of a more peaceful and tolerant time in Hong Kong for people of all beliefs and none; for Nationalist and Communists; for pro-dem nutters and pro-gov apparatchiks. Which the National Security Law puts paid to.
As Xi Jinping amps both the rhetoric and the threatening fly-bies, and Taiwan’s Tsai Ing-wen responds in kind. And as we note that young people in Taiwan feel more “Taiwanese” than “Chinese”.
But, calm, back to Wordie:
In recent weeks, certain senior Hong Kong officials – who must be held to higher standards than the general public – have erroneously referred to October 10 as Taiwan National Day. Since Taiwan is an integral part of China, the island – whether self-ruled (as at present) or otherwise – cannot, by definition, have its own National Day.
Let us be clear – Double Tenth commemorates the start of the Wuchang uprising in 1911, which led to the establishment of the Republic of China the following year. Taiwan’s separatists have their own flag – not the Nationalist one; given the chance, these groups would choose a different date altogether. [Read on…]