Joshua Wong, the Face of Hong Kong's Democracy Movement: Why the World Will Keep the Spotlight on Hong Kong in 2020

Joshua Wong (Demosisto) is one of the most prominent faces of Hong Kong's democracy movement and a leading figure in the "Umbrella Movement" which came into being in 2014. Together with hundreds of thousands of Hongkongers, the now 23-year-old is campaigning for free elections, reform of the voting system and democratization of the Chinese Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong. Sven Lilienström, founder of the Faces of Democracy initiative, spoke to Joshua Wong via FaceTime about the ongoing protests in Hong Kong, what he asks from the international community, and the future of the democracy movement in Hong Kong.

MR. WONG, WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ASK YOU, AS A PROMINENT FACE OF HONG KONG'S DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT: HOW SIGNIFICANT ARE DEMOCRACY AND DEMOCRATIC VALUES TO YOU PERSONALLY?

Joshua Wong: I strongly understand and realize the importance of democracy and democratic values. Democracy means that the people and their country or city can freely determine their own future instead of having their destiny dominated by the upper class elite. 

Under the hard line suppression of Beijing it is imperative for us to stand firm - to fight for freedom and to stand up for Hong Kong.

It also means that they can live free from illiberal rule and values. Under the hard line suppression of Beijing it is imperative for us to stand firm - to fight for freedom and to stand up for Hong Kong. Without democracy, people will live in fear, but what we hope to ask for is freedom from fear. That's the reason we continue to fight for democracy.

2020 IS BEGINNING JUST AS 2019 ENDED. MASS DEMONSTRATIONS TOOK PLACE ONCE AGAIN IN HONG KONG AS EARLY AS NEW YEAR'S EVE....

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