Pro-China Protest in Toronto

Let me correct some myth and lie in the report

1. There are more than 1500 people, you can tell simply by looking at the photos.

2. Chinese relocated to Canada not for freedom, but for money, just like people from other countries

I really feel I have to say. Why our family left China has NOTHING to do with freedom! We left for a better economic development. (to put it plain, for money). I believe many others are same. At least many Chinese immigrants families I know that came weren't for freedom.

I think the argument as the only reason immigrates came to Canada were for better economic reason is open for discussion:

During the 80s and 90s before China took over Hong Kong many successful businessmen and women and professional left Hong Kong and settled in Canada, they left behind business they built and careers they earn to start all over in Canada. Some are still working for lot less what they used to make in Hong Kong with jobs not even in their chosen field. I don’t think they would agreed with the money was the only reason they came. They came to Canada because of the rights of Democracy, Human Right, Freedom, Peace and the right of Choice was more important to them!

At least protest like this could took place peacefully which further demonstrated the freedom what ALL enjoy in Canada.

Alfred Ng

It’s true that we have more freedom in the West as they can afford to have in their environment. As China gradually opens up, reforms are taking place to enable the freedoms that we have here in the West, but this opportunity for more freedom is something that the West does not like if it will be at their expense – look at the recent western intentions. As their intentions has become more clear, as fellow Chinese, we have the obligation to defend that “denial of freedom and opportunity” to China because we know at heart, that no freedom can compare to the love and culture that we share at our home country.

Johnathan W

Johnathan,

I can appreciate your passion for China the country many of our parents and ancestors came from but all through history the Chinese rulers had never been kind to its citizens.

 You might be too young to know about the history of the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s, many intellectuals, artists and ordinary citizens had been jail, tortured and even killed.

Few years ago, I visited China for the first time when away from the tourist area, I seen how little the lives of the people in the rural area been improved. When they showed me the artifacts been destroyed by the Red Guard still left broken, untouched and saved by the villagers. I would never forget the sadness of the faces.

As for the CEO of Hong Kong Donald Tsang he was appointed by the Chinese Government and not elected by the people he “manages”.

I admitted China has been more open, I do share your love of the culture and the people but unless the Government openly admitted and talk about the past mistakes, I can not blindly share your passion and support for it.

Alfred

Hi Alfred,

I know China's history. It was wrong. But it was the past. All countries have their wrongdoings in the past and today. It is clear why the CCP cannot openly admit Mao’s mistakes. My point is that we must give China an opportunity to grow and improve. We have to ask ourselves, what we can do as Chinese to help achieve the goals that we all share for China. A more prosperous and more free China? By understanding the steps required to achieve the goal for the people, China has come a long way – by lifting 300 million people out of poverty. We cannot stop that sense of hope for our home country – for I have grew up in a Western Country, I have never give up that hope of making China a better place tomorrow.

"As for the CEO of Hong Kong Donald Tsang he was appointed by the Chinese Government and not elected by the people he “manages”."

Alfred, I also hope you can understand the reasons why China "cannot" grant the people of HK the freedom to elect their state leaders. It's a very complicated matter, however I for one supports this position for now. But I do hope China one day will have democracy implemented for the matured states like HK, GZ, Beijing, Shanghai etc and where citizens of that state can elect their own state leaders. 

However Central government remains unelectable until the "right" condition comes.

 Johnathan,

Well I think your support of an appointed leader for Hong Kong is rather weak while you are living in Australia and not Hong Kong.  Would you just marry someone send by the government of China for the good of the country?

Alfred

Alfred,

I think that's a poor comparison. But yes, back in the old days, the Chinese has a tradition of your parents choosing your wife or husband so that you can have a better future. From my personal opinion, I disliked this tradition – I believe it is important that you have the right to choose. However if I do make the wrong decision, the only person affected is me and my family. But that isn’t the case for a state or a country.

If you see the potential risks involved. If you were the person making the decision on the mainland side – considering that you not only need to consider the interest of HK, but also the interest of the Chinese people on Mainland, you would perhaps reconsider your position for the stability of the whole region.

Having said this, we should look forward to democracy in HK – because I believe it will happen once the “condition” is right.

 Johnathan,

I respect your options on China; I think it is wonderful we can freely debate on this over the internet without any fear of censorship or fear of the government . I think many of our opinions on China were formed by our family’s experience with china maybe one day in other way I could tell you some of our family stories.

 You seem like a person full of ideal. I hope one day you might able to do something to help China’s progress.

Something unrelated to our discussion, have you heard of this film “up the Yangtze” is a movie by a young Chinese- Canadian director Yung Chang focus on the people who live alongside the Yangtze River, many of whom are being uprooted as a result of the three Gorges Dam Project,  I think you will  enjoy it.

Alfred

Alfred,

Just to let you know, I grew up in Australia, don't read Chinese, been to China many times.

I know China's problems. I know them quite well. If people only keep focusing on the negatives - then you will always see the negatives of China only. In the West, I almost never even seen anything amount to positiveness about China. But the truth and the fact is, the CCP government has done more good to it's people than bad over the past 2 decades. I don't think it is possible to be achieved unless it is communism. Just remember world politics is based on a "zero sum game".

As a Chinese, I just think we should not lose hope of making China better - and this should not be just talk, but also action and yes, your right, I will do my small part in contributing to the overall good for the Chinese people and the world. I support a multi-polar world.

Cheers!