Challenging Beijing's Mandate of Heaven: Taiwan's Sunflower Movement and Hong Kong's Umbrella Movement

The Sunflower Movement in Taiwan and the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong were both student-led protests that demanded political change. Challenging Beijings Mandate of Heaven examines the origins, processes, and outcomes of these protests, comparing the dynamics of the two movements, the perceived threats that ignited them, the government strategies with which they contended, and the nature of their coordination. It contextualizes these protests in a period of global prominence for student, occupy, and anti-globalization protests and situates them within social movement studies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 25 January 2019
Publisher: Temple University Press,U.S.

In 2014, the Sunflower Movement in Taiwan garnered international attention as citizen protesters fervently demanded the Taiwan government withdraw its free-trade agreement with China. Coinciding with this, the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong endured 79 days of demonstrations, fiercely advocating for genuine universal suffrage in electing Hong Kong's chief executive. Both of these student-led movements witnessed widespread and intense participation, resulting in profound and far-reaching consequences. However, how did two massive and disruptive protests occur in culturally conservative societies? And how did the two "occupy"-style protests against Chinese influences on local politics yield such strikingly divergent outcomes?

Challenging Beijings Mandate of Heaven seeks to unravel the origins, processes, and outcomes of these eventful protests in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Ming-sho Ho delves into the dynamics of these movements, examining the existing networks of activists that paved the way for protest, the perceived threats that sparked the movements, the government strategies employed to counter them, and the nature of their coordination. Furthermore, he contextualizes these protests within a global era characterized by the prominence of student, occupy, and anti-globalization protests, placing them within the realm of social movement studies.

The Sunflower Movement in Taiwan emerged as a response to the proposed Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement (CSSTA), which aimed to deepen economic ties between Taiwan and China. The movement was characterized by its youthful participants, who used social media platforms to organize and mobilize. The protesters demanded a referendum on the CSSTA, which the government ultimately rejected. The movement's impact was significant, as it highlighted the growing concerns among Taiwanese citizens about the country's economic dependence on China and the potential risks associated with it.

On the other hand, the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong was sparked by the government's proposal to introduce a controversial electoral system that would allow Beijing to select the city's chief executive. The movement was led by a diverse group of activists, including students, professionals, and grassroots organizations. The protesters demanded genuine universal suffrage, the right to elect the chief executive by universal suffrage, and the release of arrested protesters. The movement's demands were met, and the government eventually withdrew the proposed electoral system.

Despite their similarities, the Sunflower Movement and the Umbrella Movement exhibited distinct characteristics. The Sunflower Movement was primarily focused on economic issues, while the Umbrella Movement encompassed a broader range of social and political demands. Additionally, the Sunflower Movement was more localized in its scope, affecting only Taiwan, while the Umbrella Movement had a global impact, drawing attention from around the world.

The outcomes of these protests were also varied. The Sunflower Movement led to a significant shift in Taiwanese politics, as the government became more responsive to the concerns of its citizens. The movement also inspired similar protests in other parts of the world, particularly in Southeast Asia, where citizens were also demanding greater economic autonomy and political freedom. The Umbrella Movement, on the other hand, achieved its primary goal of preventing the implementation of the controversial electoral system. However, the movement also faced significant challenges, including police violence and government repression.

In conclusion, the Sunflower Movement and the Umbrella Movement were two significant protests that took place in culturally conservative societies. These student-led movements were characterized by widespread participation and intense activism. While they shared some common themes, such as opposition to economic dependence on China and demands for greater political freedom, they exhibited distinct characteristics and yielded different outcomes. Challenging Beijings Mandate of Heaven provides valuable insights into the origins, processes, and outcomes of these protests, shedding light on the complex dynamics of social movements in culturally conservative contexts.

Weight: 412g
Dimension: 154 x 229 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781439917077