Tibetan groups and rights advocates were yesterday joined by independent Legislator Freddy Lim (林昶佐) and New Power Party Legislator Chiu Hsien-chih (邱顯智) in launching this year’s “Cycling for a Free Tibet” campaign ahead of next month’s main event.
This year’s event is to mark the 63rd anniversary of “Tibetan Uprising Day,” when Tibetans on March 10, 1959, joined in mass protests in a failed rebellion against nine years of Chinese military rule, Human Rights Network for Tibet and Taiwan director Tashi Tsering said.
“It has been more than 70 years since a Chinese military invasion took control of Tibet. They have placed heavy restrictions on Tibetans, to brainwash them, but Tibetans have never given up hope,” Tashi said.
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times
The “Cycling for a Free Tibet” campaign began in 2011 to raise public awareness of the pain and suffering of Tibetans’ plight, he said.
The annual campaign aims to “give a voice to those who are victims of Chinese state brutality and persecution,” Tashi said, as he joined other human rights advocates draped in the Tibetan “snow lion” flag on a cycling tour that finished at the Bank of China branch in Taipei’s Xinyi District (信義).
“The Beijing regime has carried out oppression and human rights abuse against Tibetans, Uighurs and Hong Kongers. It is Taiwanese who raised their voices to condemn China, as we have always had to stand up to support victims of subjugation,” Chiu said.
“Taiwanese have also protested numerous times against the incursion of Chinese warplanes more than 900 times into our air defense identification zone,” Chiu said, urging all political parties in the Legislative Yuan to work together on bills to assist political refugees.
Under a proposed refugees act, Taiwan would consider granting residency in suitable cases, such as the nation has done in the past for exiled Tibetans and those who have lost their homelands, he added.
It is the right principle for a free and democratic country with respect for human rights to follow, Chiu said.
In an address to the participants, Lim said: “Taiwanese have felt China’s aggression and its violation of Taiwan in many sectors. We have spoken out against Beijing’s abuse and atrocities in Tibetan, Hong Kong and other places.”
“We are on the front line against China, and we have the courage to stand up and fight,” Lim said. “We are visible on the international stage. By doing so, more people in other countries are willing to protest against China.”
Yesterday was selected as the start of this year’s campaign because the day is known as Lhakar (“White Wednesday”), a day on which Tibetans traditionally express spiritual devotion and pray for a long life.
The day has also become associated with the Tibetan protest movement.
In Taipei, people can join cycling events along planned routes to commemorate “Tibetan Uprising Day” on Wednesday next week, Feb. 23, and March 2 and 9.
A cycling event is also to take place on March 6 in Kaohsiung and on March 12 in Taichung, released information said.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS