Two political leaders who advocate Hong Kong independence say they were assaulted in Taiwan on Monday night.
The Hong Kong National Party, the city’s first separatist political party, said on Facebook that convener Andy Chan Ho-tin and spokesman Jason Chow Ho-fai were assaulted by a group of “hooligans” at a Taipei restaurant after a media interview. It said the group chanted slogans such as “Taiwanese and Hong Kongese secessionists” and “Han traitors to the state” before the attack. It added that Chan and Chow were unharmed and have reported the case to local police.
Chan told HKFP that a dozen people were involved in the assault. According to him, the group splashed water and coffee, as well as threw objects like porcelain jars.
He said he was scheduled to fly back to Hong Kong shortly, adding: “[I] would like to thank my friends in Taiwan who protected us after the assault.”
The duo were earlier invited to Taiwan to participate in a Human Rights Day parade, in which they accused China of “colonising” Hong Kong and Taiwan. They also spoke at a conference on human rights and self-determination in Asia.
The Hong Kong National Party was founded in March as the first openly pro-independence party in the city. In September, Chan filed a court challenge over the rejection of his candidacy ahead of September’s Legislative Council election.
