Two social activists who were part of an underground movement that rescued hundreds of Tiananmen fugitives star in a play about the incident.
Lawmaker Cheung Man-kwong and Reverend Chu Yiu-ming play themselves in the drama Beliefs Soar, which includes a storyline about the Hong Kong-based operation that helped dissidents flee overseas via Hong Kong after the Tiananmen Square crackdown on June 4 1989.
Wei Siu-lik, who wrote the play, said Operation Yellowbird was 'a secret part of the city's history' and was very dramatic, as it involved triad members, artists and members of religious groups.
Chu said: 'Back then, I didn't have any special feelings [towards the operation]. Giving a helping hand to those who fled the country was a very natural thing. I hope the play can enlighten the younger generation because I am telling them about the incident in person.'
As well as Operation Yellowbird, the drama, produced by theatre group Stage 64, also refers to the protests against Hong Kong's high-speed rail project.
Producer Cheung Ka-wan said Operation Yellowbird and the anti-rail protest were social movements initiated by young adults that demonstrated the spirit of 'passing down good traditions from one generation to another'.
