Tiananmen activist Wang Dan (left) says a Nobel Peace Prize movement for Occupy Central will bring developments in Hong Kong to the world's attention. Photo: HKEJ
Wang Dan vows Nobel movement for Occupy Central
A Chinese democracy activist is promising to start a Nobel Peace Prize movement for Occupy Central if Beijing uses military force to suppress a planned civil disobedience campaign in Hong Kong.
Wang Dan, one of the leading figures in the June 4 Tiananmen protests, said 14 other fellow pro-democracy activists will move to unite overseas Chinese and Taiwanese citizens to bring the matter to the world’s attention.
Wang took to Facebook on Sunday to express his reaction shortly after Beijing announced an election reform package for Hong Kong’s 2017 chief executive election.
He said Beijing is depriving Hong Kong people the right to freely choose their leader by controlling the nomination process.
He compared the election framework to political persecution of Hong Kong people and said it “rings the funeral bell” on “one country, two systems”.
“We call upon the whole world to be concerned about the developments in Hong Kong,” Wang said.
Also, he warned Beijing authorities that any military suppression of peaceful protests will “carve one more trace of sin for themselves in the history of mankind”.
In any such event, Wang said pro-democracy activists will unite and form a global alliance to endorse Occupy Central for a Nobel Peace Prize.
“For Hong Kong people, there is no more room for retreat… Hope rests on people, change begins with resistance,” he said.
Huang Guo-chang, an associate research professor in Taiwan’s Central Research Academy, said Beijing’s decision was “definitely a big slap” in the face for Hong Kong, Apple Daily reported Monday.
Taiwan people should “see once again the true nature of the communist regime. They can abandon their promise of universal suffrage for Hong Kong people easily. Of course, they can also tear off any agreements with Taiwan.”
Chien Hsi-chieh, executive director of the Peacetime Foundation of Taiwan, said that although Occupy Central can’t make Beijing change its decision in the short run, Beijing will face great pressure.
He said Hong Kong will have true universal suffrage one day if it continues to exert pressure on the central government.
Chien said Beijing’s governance in Hong Kong is a failure and it is a reminder for people in Taiwan.
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Wang Dan is comparing Beijing’s election reform package for Hong Kong to political persecution. Photo: HKEJ
