Hong Kong Macau cultural exchange
Encyclopedia
Hong Kong Macau cultural exchange was a trip that took place on the Sunday morning of March 15, 2009. The goal was to have Pan-democracy camp members test the newly enacted Macau national security law
by going from Hong Kong
to Macau
to see who gets banned.
was enacted and took in effect on March 3, 2009. Since then decision have been made to bar a handful of Hong Kong politicians, academics and a photographer. This has underscored the cultural and political gaps between the two former colonies, which now both belong to the People's Republic of China
after 1997 for HK and 1999 for Macau. One of the high point was when University of Hong Kong dean of law Johannes Chan
was banned from Macau in February 2009. Macau casino tycoon Stanley Ho
called the democrats "troublemakers stirring shit up". Democrat Lee Cheuk-yan had fought back the comment saying Stanley Ho was "old and confused".
. Antonio Ng
and the New Democratic Macau Association
picked up the democrats at Macau ferry terminal
, followed by a 3-hour seminar that discuss how Macau's politics and economic conditions have changed since the security law came into effect. The trip from Hong Kong to Macau is a 45-minute ferry ride.
member Lee Cheuk-yan, Leung Kwok-hung (Long Hair)
, activist Tsang Kin-shing
, Koo Sze-yiu and Lui Yuk-lin. Leung Kwok-hung
said that "Macau's internal security laws target triads and terrorists, and I am definitely not one of them. I wish the government would defend the dignity of the Hong Kong people."
, Cheung Man-kwong
and Emily Lau
. After entry, they later staged a protest in Macau for their fellow democrats. Ivan Choy Chi-keung, a political scientist at Chinese University, said the Macau authorities had reduced the number of people denied entry to pacify Hong Kong and to give Donald Tsang
face.
Macau national security law
Macau's national security law is a law in Macau which prohibits and punishes acts of "treason, secession, and subversion" against the Chinese government, as well as "preparatory acts" leading to any of the three acts...
by going from Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
to Macau
Macau
Macau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...
to see who gets banned.
Summary
Macau national security lawMacau national security law
Macau's national security law is a law in Macau which prohibits and punishes acts of "treason, secession, and subversion" against the Chinese government, as well as "preparatory acts" leading to any of the three acts...
was enacted and took in effect on March 3, 2009. Since then decision have been made to bar a handful of Hong Kong politicians, academics and a photographer. This has underscored the cultural and political gaps between the two former colonies, which now both belong to the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
after 1997 for HK and 1999 for Macau. One of the high point was when University of Hong Kong dean of law Johannes Chan
Johannes Chan
Johannes Chan Man-mun , SC is the Dean of the Faculty of Law for the University of Hong Kong. He is a practising barrister-at-law who specializes in human rights, constitutional and administrative law...
was banned from Macau in February 2009. Macau casino tycoon Stanley Ho
Stanley Ho
Stanley Ho, GBM, GLM, GBS, GML, OBE , also known as Ho Hung Sun, Stanley Ho Hung Sun, is an entrepreneur in Hong Kong and Macau. Ho is sometimes nicknamed "The King of Gambling", reflecting the government-granted monopoly he held of the Macau gambling industry for 40 years...
called the democrats "troublemakers stirring shit up". Democrat Lee Cheuk-yan had fought back the comment saying Stanley Ho was "old and confused".
Preparation
A total of 33 Pan-democracy camp members got together to cross the Hong Kong Macau border starting at 9am from the Kowloon PeninsulaKowloon Peninsula
The Kowloon Peninsula is a peninsula that forms the southern part of the main landmass in the territory of Hong Kong. The Kowloon Peninsula and the area of New Kowloon are collectively known as Kowloon....
. Antonio Ng
Antonio Ng
António Ng Kuok Cheong is currently a member in the Macau Legislative Assembly, returned by direct election. He was the founding chairman of the pro-democratic political party New Democratic Macau Association. He is also the leader of the political pressure group Union for Democracy Development...
and the New Democratic Macau Association
New Democratic Macau Association
The New Macau Association is a major pro-democratic political party in the Chinese Special Administrative Region of Macau, a former Portuguese possession. Macau is a state in which political parties do not play a role, though some civic groups put forward lists at the elections and might be...
picked up the democrats at Macau ferry terminal
Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Pier, Macau
The Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal , also known as the Macau Ferry Terminal or Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Pier , is located in Porto Exterior, Macau Peninsula, in the former Portuguese colony of Macau, now a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, near the reservoir on...
, followed by a 3-hour seminar that discuss how Macau's politics and economic conditions have changed since the security law came into effect. The trip from Hong Kong to Macau is a 45-minute ferry ride.
Denied
At the Macau entrance, 5 members were banned from entering. Among those turned down was League of Social DemocratsLeague of Social Democrats
The League of Social Democrats or LSD is a radical pro-democratic political party in Hong Kong. Its declared purpose is to "take a clear-cut stand to defend the interests of the grassroots"...
member Lee Cheuk-yan, Leung Kwok-hung (Long Hair)
Leung Kwok-hung
Leung Kwok-hung , also known as Long Hair , is a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong , a founding member of the League of Social Democrats and a democratic political activist.-Biography:Leung is a self-proclaimed Trotskyist and a member of April Fifth Action, a radical socialist...
, activist Tsang Kin-shing
Tsang Kin-shing
Tsang Kin-shing nicknamed The Bull was born 1957 in Hong Kong. He was formerly a member of the Legislative Council and the current member of Eastern District Council. He is mostly known as the founder of the highly controversial Citizens' Radio...
, Koo Sze-yiu and Lui Yuk-lin. Leung Kwok-hung
Leung Kwok-hung
Leung Kwok-hung , also known as Long Hair , is a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong , a founding member of the League of Social Democrats and a democratic political activist.-Biography:Leung is a self-proclaimed Trotskyist and a member of April Fifth Action, a radical socialist...
said that "Macau's internal security laws target triads and terrorists, and I am definitely not one of them. I wish the government would defend the dignity of the Hong Kong people."
Allowed
Some of the more public democrats allowed include democratic legislators Lee Wing-tat, Albert Ho, Kam Nai-waiKam Nai-wai
Kam Nai-wai MH is a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong . He is a founding member of the Democratic Party, and the member of Central and Western District Council...
, Cheung Man-kwong
Cheung Man Kwong
Cheung Man Kwong , born 15 September 1954 in Hong Kong with family roots in Taishan, Guangdong) is a member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council representing the Education functional constituency. He is a member of Hong Kong Democratic Party and chairman of Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union...
and Emily Lau
Emily Lau
Emily Lau Wai-hing JP is one of two vice-chairmen of Democratic Party.She was the convenor of The Frontier...
. After entry, they later staged a protest in Macau for their fellow democrats. Ivan Choy Chi-keung, a political scientist at Chinese University, said the Macau authorities had reduced the number of people denied entry to pacify Hong Kong and to give Donald Tsang
Donald Tsang
Sir Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, GBM, KBE is the current Chief Executive and President of the Executive Council of the Government of Hong Kong....
face.
See also
- Hong Kong Basic Law Article 23Hong Kong Basic Law Article 23Hong Kong Basic Law Article 23 is the basis of a security law proposed by the Government of Hong Kong. It states:On 24 September 2002 the government released its proposals for the anti-subversion law. It is the cause of considerable controversy and division in Hong Kong, which operates as a...
- Liza Wang#Pan-democrat home return permits request
- Macau Basic LawMacau Basic LawThe Basic Law of the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China is the constitution of Macau, replacing the Estatuto Orgânico de Macau, which was effective since 1976, on 20 December 1999....