In a symbolic protest against the authoritarian regime of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Gu Siyiao and others carried a paper coffin, representing the burial of the CCP. (Li Ming / Dajiyuan)
[People News] Gu Siyiao, a prominent figure in Hong Kong's street protests and a social movement warrior who had been imprisoned over ten times, passed away yesterday afternoon (April 8) at Caritas Medical Centre due to rectal cancer, at the age of 80. Gu Siyiao was renowned for his distinctive protest method of using a 'self-made paper coffin,' and his life left a unique mark in the history of the Hong Kong democracy movement, transitioning from a supporter of the CCP to a staunch opponent.
From Supporter to Opponent: The June Fourth Turning Point in His Life
Gu Siyiao was born in Shiqi, Zhongshan, Guangdong. His father was wrongfully labelled a 'rightist' during the CCP's political campaigns and was executed. In his youth, Gu Siyiao attended a leftist school in Macau and was initially a supporter of communism.
However, the June Fourth Incident in 1989 at Tiananmen Square completely shattered his political dreams. After relocating to Hong Kong, Gu Siyiao transformed from a supporter of the CCP to an opponent, actively engaging in protests and joining the 'April 5th Action,' which marked the start of his over thirty-year-long career in street protests. During sensitive occasions such as the anniversary of June Fourth, the July 1 handover, or the October 1 National Day, he frequently appeared outside Chinese government offices in Hong Kong alongside former Legislative Council member Leung Kwok-hung (Long Hair), carrying a self-made paper coffin, becoming one of the leading figures in Hong Kong's street protest movement.
Gu Siyiao once burned a paper coffin during the visit of the late General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, Jiang Zemin, to Hong Kong, in protest against the police's attempts to stop them from raising the coffin. He also burned the Communist Party's five-star flag and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region flag multiple times outside the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government while mourning Li Wangyang, a participant in the 'June Fourth' incident who was found dead under suspicious circumstances, and the late Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo. He was arrested over ten times for these actions. Each time he appeared in court, he refused to plead guilty and boldly stated that he intended to 'insult the national flag' to express his discontent with the authoritarian regime of the Communist Party of China.
After the Hong Kong National Security Law was implemented in 2020, Gu Siyiao, who was diagnosed with stage four rectal cancer at the time, did not retreat. He was sentenced to four months in prison for supporting pro-democracy activists and writing phrases like 'white terror' on the national flag.
Despite his anti-communist views, Gu Siyiao considers himself a passionate patriot. As a member of the Diaoyu Islands Action Committee, he forcibly boarded the Diaoyu Islands (Senkaku Islands) on the 'Qifeng No. 2' in 2012, which led to his arrest and deportation by Japanese authorities.
In 2022 and 2023, he planned to protest by carrying a coffin on the eve of the Winter Olympics opening and the district council elections, but was intercepted by national security police before he could depart. Even though he was seriously ill and had multiple bail applications denied, he maintained his stance of 'fighting repeatedly and never regretting', resulting in a nine-month prison sentence in both cases.
Gu Siyao reflected in an interview before his death that he did not mind being seen as a 'fighter, warrior, or martyr' for the democratic movement. He maintained that 'one must fight repeatedly despite failures and never regret,' emphasizing that 'democracy and human rights take precedence over everything, and the people are greater than the state.' He also expressed his hope that 'Hong Kong will genuinely achieve democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law.'
Rights activists from both China and Hong Kong have paid tribute to this pioneer of the social movement.
Following the announcement of Gu Siyao's passing, several former comrades took to social media to share their condolences. Huang Haoming, the former chairperson of the Social Democratic Alliance, described Gu Siyao as a 'distinctive pioneer of Hong Kong's social movement,' praising his resilience and fearlessness, which inspired respect among younger activists.
Wu Wenyuan, also a former chairperson of the Social Democratic Alliance, expressed his gratitude for Gu Siyao's decades of commitment to democracy, cherishing the memories of their time fighting together.
Chinese human rights activist Ou Biaofeng shared a post on platform X, including a photo of Gu Siyao supporting Chinese rights activists, and conveyed his heartfelt thanks to this elder.
At the time of Gu Siyao's passing, his son was by his side. The Diaoyu Action Committee announced that details regarding the funeral will be provided later. This 'veteran,' who had spent half a lifetime advocating on the streets, quietly took his final bow against the backdrop of significant political changes in Hong Kong. △
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