A new hashtag trend is taking the media by storm; Agnes Chow, a 23-year-old pro-democratic activist and politician, was given the title #TheRealMulan.
For some context, here is why she has become a democratic symbol in Hong Kong and why she is crowned #TheRealMulan.
An outbreak of protests in Hong Kong flared up after China made extradition to the mainland legal, undermining the judicial system of Hong Kong. The bill was drawn a couple of months after, but Hong Kong protesters said it was “too little, too late,” and are demanding full democracy.
And although Hong Kong has a separate judiciary and legal system, it is still under control of China with limited autonomy.
This has set a ripple effect of violent outbreaks from both the police and protesters along with a set of demands from the latter of the two.
The protesters’ motto is “Five demands, not one less!” The five demands are that they do not want to be seen as a riot, “amnesty for arrested protesters, an independent inquiry into alleged police brutality, implementation of complete and universal suffrage” and withdrawal of the bill which had already been accomplished.
Where does Agnes Chow have a role in this?
Chow has been active in Hong Kong politics since she was a teenager. At the age of 15 she joined a youth-led movement against the implementation of “moral and national education.”
She has been arrested four times; the fourth being a potential sentence for life on a charge of “colluding with foreign forces.” However, because of mass support and petitions, Chow was released on bail.
Because of her pro-democratic ideals, Chow has been banned from running in legislative elections along with pro-independent activist Andy Chan back in 2016. Chow as since started a petition to challenge this ban.
An outcry broke out when Mulan actress Liu Yifei tweeted her support for Hong Kong police despite the movement to end police brutality towards Hong Kong protesters.
Since then, protesters have called for a boycott of the Mulan movie and titled Agnes Chow as the real Mulan. It’s quite contradictory for any person to play a heroine role who breaks the boundaries of social norms and fights for her country from total invasion and control yet supports police who brutalize protesters for wanting reform.
Agnes Chow’s efforts for reformation resonates the characteristics of the legend of Mulan. Chow is fighting for her country, her people, and her future despite the arrests and potential danger that face her. Agnes Chow is the real Mulan and an inspiration.
