Huang Zhifeng Celebrates His 30th Birthday: Wishing Him Well Despite His Imprisonment

In June 2023, several Hong Kong exiles in Taiwan sang Glory to Hong Kong outside Taipei Main Station. (Screenshot/New Tang Dynasty Television)

[People News] I only learned from the news that Huang Zhifeng has just turned 30. Unbeknownst to many, he has transformed from the youthful high school student we once knew into a man of strong conviction.

Though separated by thousands of miles, I feel compelled to say, 'Mr. Huang Zhifeng, happy birthday!' Life behind bars is devoid of joy, yet I believe his steadfast ideals and commitment to his cause will keep him perpetually optimistic. Thus, it is crucial for him to maintain a healthy body and mind, to embrace the world, cultivate his character, and strengthen his resolve.

When Huang Zhifeng led a group of Hong Kong high school students to establish 'Scholarism' and began engaging in Hong Kong's democratic politics, he still had the innocent look of a neighbourhood kid. That fourteen- or fifteen-year-old boy, after over a decade of experience in the Hong Kong democracy movement, has now emerged as a globally recognised leader in the pro-democracy struggle.

Among the youth in Hong Kong who are concerned about national issues, Huang Zhifeng stands out as one of the few with the qualities of a political leader. Additionally, figures like Luo Guansong and Yang Tianqi also come to mind as young leaders with intellectual depth and leadership abilities. During their formative years, they did not get lost in anime or idol fandom; instead, they channelled their personal passions into a broader concern for their country, where they 'sweated and laboured,' faced challenges, and engaged in long-term grassroots struggles, contributing a poignant chapter to the Hong Kong people's resistance against the CCP's authoritarian rule.

At just 15 years old, he was involved in founding the Scholarism movement, which opposed national education and successfully pressured the government to indefinitely suspend the implementation of moral and national education subjects. During the 2014 Umbrella Movement, he initiated the reclaiming of 'Civic Square', which indirectly led to a 79-day occupation of Central. Later, he co-founded 'Demosisto' with Luo Guancong, advocating for Hong Kong's democratic self-determination and actively engaging in international lobbying efforts.

Since 2015, he has made multiple trips to the United States, meeting with bipartisan political figures, testifying at congressional hearings, delivering speeches at Georgetown University, New York University, and Columbia University, and participating in discussions at the think tank 'Council on Foreign Relations'. It is important to note that these prestigious American academic institutions and research organisations are hubs for academic elites. For a high school student to enter such a temple of knowledge without fear and speak confidently requires remarkable composure and a substantial knowledge base! Furthermore, Huang Zhifeng not only navigated these situations with ease but also exhibited a level of maturity and poise that is surprising for someone his age.

I am unsure how he developed such extraordinary willpower and demeanour. Given his educational background, the depth and breadth of his knowledge seem inadequate for handling such high-level exchanges. More importantly, in a city like Hong Kong, which can easily lead one to a state of 'drunkenness and dreaminess', how does a young person actively choose to reject material temptations and cultivate their own spiritual and cultural identity?

A person's destiny is shaped by a multitude of subjective and objective factors, particularly the decisive choices made in the early stages of life. Is Huang Zhifeng's engagement in politics influenced by his family background and educational experiences? Did any of his teachers play a pivotal role in shaping his character? His knowledge base significantly surpasses that of his contemporaries; does he read more than his peers, gaining deeper insights and reflections? These are questions that pique my curiosity.

It is also important to note that he grew up in Hong Kong, an international metropolis. When he began to take an interest in worldly affairs, it coincided with a period when Hong Kong still enjoyed basic freedoms of speech. At that time, if he engaged with social and political issues, he had the opportunity to observe and reflect on social phenomena from various perspectives. He was in a position to uphold independent thinking without being influenced by the government or the elite.

His formative years coincided with the emergence and growth of the democratic movement in Hong Kong. The prevailing social climate undoubtedly encouraged idealistic and thoughtful children to become more mature and passionate about social issues. The fearless young calves are unafraid of tigers; a group of children who have been liberated in a free society are naturally swept along by the currents of the times. In the peaks and troughs of political evolution, they acquire the skills to navigate through challenges.

However, Huang Zhifeng is truly exceptional. He is more politically aware than his peers, possesses greater composure, and is more willing to face adversity. Thus, when he emerged on the scene, he led the 

I am not an expert in physiognomy, but having lived a long life, I have encountered many people and gained some insights into understanding them. Huang Zhifeng has an extraordinary temperament that is uncommon among his peers; his facial features are sharp, his bone structure is notably resilient, the lines of his mouth are firm, and his eyes are piercing and full of spirit. He seems to have been born with a disdain for mediocrity.

Having been influenced by Western democratic ideals and shaped by the Hong Kong resistance movement, Huang Zhifeng has reached a level of political maturity. Currently, he is ensnared by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), but one day, when he breaks free from this confinement, he will play a crucial role in the establishment of a new Hong Kong.

Today, Huang Zhifeng remains imprisoned by the Hong Kong Communist Party, facing multiple charges related to national security. Some of these cases have concluded, while others are ongoing. The most serious charge against him is 'conspiracy to collude with foreign or external forces to endanger national security.' Huang Zhifeng has opted to plead guilty and is facing the harshest penalty of 'life imprisonment.'

At the age of thirty, these youthful years are the most precious time in life, yet he is spending them in a CCP prison, confronting a government that lacks humanity. Nevertheless, having chosen this path, he must stand tall and continue forward. I believe that even in the worst circumstances, he will never resign himself to a life behind bars, for he is still young, and the CCP will not outlast him; they may not even outlast me.

Nelson Mandela, the black leader of South Africa, was charged with serious crimes by the white government and spent a total of 27 years in prison. When the tides turned, he made history by becoming South Africa's first black president. A true pearl will shine, no matter how much dust it gathers; the brilliance of Huang Zhifeng cannot be hidden by the authoritarian grip of the Chinese Communist Party, and one day it will shine brightly. This is not just an empty statement; I say this based on his exceptional talent and ambition, as well as the unstoppable momentum of the times.

I firmly believe that Huang Zhifeng will not waste his youth behind bars; he will use this time to enrich himself and continue to hone his spirit and determination. When he eventually emerges from prison, he will undoubtedly be a new Huang Zhifeng—more mature and resolute—and he will hold an irreplaceable position in Hong Kong's history.

I also hope that more young people in Hong Kong will take Huang Zhifeng as their role model. Regardless of how harsh the circumstances may be, they should not abandon their original intentions and must embrace the dawn amidst the storm. When the day comes that we open the prison doors to welcome back individuals like Huang Zhifeng, Hong Kong will be the hometown we have reshaped.

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