|
|
|
| Port of Call - Hong Kong |
 |
| Hong Kong's famous skyline draws smiles and excitement on arrival |
The panoply of towering concrete and glass skyscrapers perched against the bustling harbour of Hong Kong came into view early in the morning as Peace Boat reached its first port of call. A party of members from several peace and pro-democracy organizations, together with a team of local journalists were at the port to greet the ship. The Hong Kong contingent came aboard to learn of Peace Boat's objectives and to discuss the importance of strengthening the relationship between Hong Kong and Japanese civil society. Significantly, just two days previously marked the sixty-fifth anniversary of the Rape of Nanking, a black day in history considering the grave violations of human rights perpetrated by the Japanese army against Chinese civilians. Accordingly, the timing of Peace Boat's arrival, in sending a message of peace and solidarity, was significant and demonstrated the continuing need for people of all generations to further the reconciliation process between former war-time foes. |
|
 |
| Civil society protest against restrictive 'Article 23' laws
in Hong Kong |
Peace Boat participants descended on Kowloon and Hong Kong Island with fervour, knowing that they had just one day to absorb the quintessential East-meets-West experience of Hong Kong. Even on a Sunday, the cosmopolitan metropolis was buzzing with activity. Besides the throngs of people revelling in the consumer-haven of department stores, malls and markets that this city is famous for, there was a convergence of up to 10,000 people on downtown Victoria Park to partake in a political demonstration. The mass of protesters were united in their opposition to the Hong Kong SAR government's recent decision to legislate on Article 23 of the Basic Law in the name of 'national security'. The proposed amendment has been interpreted by civil society groups, including the Civil Human Rights Front, a peak body for 30 NGOs, as a deliberation to step up state control and suppress dissenting voices. Given the absence of genuine democracy in Hong Kong, draconian legislation that seriously threatens basic civil liberties, including the freedom of speech, thought, belief, association, the press, faces strong resistance by teachers and migrants, human rights activists and students alike. |
|
 |
| Domestic Migrant Workers rallying for their rights |
The dissenting voices of the people of Hong Kong were clearly heard by the band of about fifty Peace Boat participants who joined the colourful protest march from Victoria Park to the Government Offices. Daini Nakahara, Cruise Director of Peace Boat, articulated the motivation behind Peace Boat's enthusiastic support during an interview with Reuters News Agency. 'We are here to show solidarity as a member of international civil society for the people of Hong Kong who are demonstrating to their government that they will not be deprived of their basic human rights' protection. It is important that civil society be allowed to develop healthily and that communication with international counterparts not be jeopardised by oppressive and overzealous government laws.' Resonating with Nakahara's reference to international support was the fact that the Global Coalition Against Article 23 was also engaged in protest rallies throughout North America on the same day in a display of solidarity. |
|
 |
| Peace Boat team pound the pavement for human rights in Hong Kong |
The conspicuous international face of Peace Boat drew much attention as they chanted, drummed and danced their way through the jam-packed streets of inner-city Hong Kong. With the enigmatic but dynamic presence of Falun Gong members behind them, and the boisterous Domestic Migrant Workers' Union representing mostly Indonesian and Filipino women ahead, protestors from Peace Boat were part of a wave of energised humanity that fed off the smiles and vibes of people wanting to live in a world with freedom for all. |
|
 |
| Factory visit to Shenzhen, China to study international trade issues
|
Meanwhile, a group of forty participants travelled into the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, in mainland China to learn about trade and labour issues through an exposure study tour. The first destination was to a Japanese-owned plastics manufacturing company that employs approximately 600 females mostly aged between 17-22 years. The chance to talk with the workers, some of whom had basic Japanese skills, was reportedly insightful although it was difficult to gauge the extent to which their cheap, unskilled labour was being protected or exploited in that particular situation. Instead, the factory visit gave living proof of the economically favourable trend to relocate industry from expensive Hong Kong to cheaper mainland China. Photon Technology Ltd, China's largest supplier of fibre-optic components, was the second destination. Here, participants toured the manufacturing plant and learnt of the customer service-oriented philosophy of the company. Most enlightening, was the lecture given by a government-affiliated academic who discussed some of the practical implications of China's recent accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) relating to the agricultural industry. Participants observed that the excursion to Shenzhen was valuable in educating them about some of the realities of international trade facing China. However, some of the issues left untouched during the tour, such as trade unions and labour rights, also provided food for thought at the end of the day. |
|
| Peace Boat's
40th Voyage index |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
PEACE BOAT is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
