For Hong Kong students in Taiwan, island’s freedom and democracy appeal
- Young Hongkongers living in Taipei say there is a ‘sense of crisis’ over the extradition bill
- More than 30 protesters have reportedly fled to the island, fearing they will be prosecuted, and another 30 are planning to do the same
They say the now-suspended bill has created a “sense of crisis”, and they fear they could lose their freedoms if the Hong Kong government is forced to take tougher action against protesters.
Gary Cheung, 25, who is studying filmmaking at the National Taiwan University of Arts in Taipei, said he could understand Hong Kong protesters wanting to flee to the island.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if a group of Hong Kong people are seeking political asylum here, fearing they will be prosecuted or even jailed for their involvement in the protests over the extradition bill,” Cheung said.
On Friday, Taiwanese media reported that more than 30 Hongkongers had arrived in Taiwan to seek shelter because they feared they would be prosecuted over their involvement in storming the city’s legislature during protests on July 1.
