The Taiwanese sending protest equipment, messages of solidarity to Hong Kong demonstrators

A church in Taipei is major backer of Hong Kong’s anti-government movement, sending supplies to frontline demonstrators

Hongkongers find support from Taiwan groups who draw links between protest movement and ‘white terror’

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Hong Kong's anti-government protesters attend a rally held by incumbent Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen after her election victory on January 11. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:00am, 27 Jan 2020Updated: 9:45am, 18 Apr 2020

Some in Taiwan may find it strange that crowds of Hongkongers flew to their island to observe the presidential poll, attend campaign rallies and join locals in celebrating the re-election of Tsai Ing-wen.

But it is not all one-way traffic. In Taipei, a church, book stores and cafes are lending their support to anti-government protesters 700km away in Hong Kong.

One of the movement’s biggest backers in Taiwan is the Chi-Nan Presbyterian Church, which has set up a “Lennon Wall” with a huge banner bearing the words “Safeguard freedom, let’s add oil with Hong Kong”.

Kong Chao-ksun volunteers at the Chi-Nan Presbyterian Church in Taipei, where the congregation has backed Hong Kong protesters with donations of equipment. Photo: Kimmy Chung

The congregation has also sent piles of protective gear such as hard hats to demonstrators in Hong Kong – which is in its eighth month of social unrest sparked by the government’s now-withdrawn extradition bill – and supports those protesters who have fled to Taiwan.

“It all started with a prayer meeting in June last year, when protests broke out in Hong Kong,” said Kong Chao-ksun, a volunteer at the church.

“After that, many church members wanted to offer a helping hand by sending us materials, hoping we would transfer it to Hong Kong.”