Article content

For Hong Kong resident Yung Xiu Kwan, 67, a proposed extradition law that would allow people in the former British colony to be sent to mainland China for trial was the final straw.

Yung is packing her bags and leaving the Chinese-ruled city to set up a new life in proudly democratic Taiwan, fed up with what she sees as Beijing’s ever encroaching grip over the city that has led to an erosion of civil liberties.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Many in Hong Kong moving to democratic Taiwan to escape China's looming grasp Back to video

“Without freedom and democracy, it’s like being put in jail, like living in a concentration camp … without freedom, (I) would rather die,” said Yung, as she waved a Taiwan flag at a massive protest in Hong Kong on Sunday.

“Taiwan can offer that because Taiwan has democratic elections and a constitution that safeguards democracy.”

Without freedom and democracy, it's like being put in jail, like living in a concentration camp

Hong Kong has been governed under a “one country, two systems” formula since its return from British to Chinese rule in 1997, allowing it certain freedoms, including an independent judiciary. Courts in mainland China are controlled by the Communist Party.