Protester Fu Tong breaches Tiananmen Square's sensitive topic barrier set by Beijing
A Modern-Day Activist's Journey: Fu Tong's Work in Taiwan
By Angie Teo / Reuters
After facing challenges during the 2019 Hong Kong protests, Fu Tong (湯偉雄), along with his wife, Elaine To (杜依蘭), became one of the first demonstrators to be charged with rioting. Since then, Fu has made a new home in Taiwan, continuing his activism and preparing to honor the anniversary of the Beijing's bloody crackdown on protesters in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989.
Fu is now part of a human rights exhibit in Taipei, featuring artwork from the protest movement, and is a guide for these displays. His commitment to the cause is unwavering:
Taiwan, being the only part of the Chinese-speaking world where June 4 can be remembered openly, holds significant importance for Fu and others like him. Though Chinese communities in the US, the UK, Australia, and other Western countries also mark the event, the freedom to openly discuss and condemn the Chinese Communist Party is substantially more limited in these regions.
In Hong Kong, a national security law has outlawed such events, effectively silencing the large gatherings that once took place. Fu remains resolute in his advocacy for Hong Kong's issues and the values of freedom:
Before dawn on June 4, 1989, Chinese tanks rolled into Tiananmen Square, ending weeks of pro-democracy demonstrations by students and workers. The true death toll has never been disclosed by China, but it's estimated to reach into the thousands[3]. Public discussion of the event remains tightly controlled and taboo in China, with the government blaming the protests on counter-revolutionaries aiming to overthrow the CCP.
Fu's work in Taiwan is just one example of the ongoing efforts by Hong Kong exiles to promote democracy and human rights both locally and internationally. Aside from his human rights activism, Fu Tong has also opened a Muay Thai studio[1], serving as a platform for teaching martial arts, cultural exchange, and networking for like-minded individuals. Together, they continue to fight for their beliefs and raise awareness about the tragedy that unfolded on June 4, 1989.
[1] Fu Tong's Muay Thai studio serves as a gathering place for those who share his commitment to freedom and democracy. The studio fosters a community that supports similar values, providing a unique cultural and social experience in Taiwan.
[2] As Hong Kong exiles relocate to countries like Taiwan, they contribute to a global network of individuals who fight for democracy and human rights. The June 4 Tiananmen Square commemorations, held both here and abroad, symbolize solidarity with other activists and a collective, ongoing struggle for a freer future.
[3] The death toll of the Tiananmen Square crackdown remains a contentious issue, with estimates ranging from several hundred to thousands of people. However, the lack of transparency from the Chinese government persists, making it difficult to determine the actual total.
- In light of the Chinese government's strict control over public discussion of the Tiananmen Square incident, Fu Tong's work in Taiwan, where he can openly commemorate the incident, discuss it, and even condemn the Chinese Communist Party, is significant within the context of war-and-conflicts and politics.
- Fu Tong's activism in Taiwan extends beyond human rights, as he also opened a Muay Thai studio that serves as a platform for teaching martial arts, cultural exchange, and networking for like-minded individuals, many of whom share his commitment to freedom, a relevant topic in general-news discussions.
