The protests in Hong Kong, despite their immediate failure, were worthwhile as they planted ideas in people's minds that can resurface and inspire future movements.

The 2019 Hong Kong protests were driven by fears of losing the rule of law and the unique freedoms that distinguish Hong Kong from mainland China, leading to massive public demonstrations.

The protests in Taiwan and Hong Kong have interconnected stories, influencing how people in the region agitate for their rights and freedoms.

The protests in Hong Kong have become a referendum on the right to protest itself, with the government's strong-arm tactics galvanizing public support for the movement.

Despite censorship, many students from mainland China demonstrate incredible free-thinking abilities, suggesting that the system is more porous than often perceived.

There's a shift in the national spirit, especially in Silicon Valley, where people are feeling optimistic about the future and the potential for growth and creativity to return.

Victor Hugo is a rare Western author who has maintained a positive image in China, particularly for denouncing the destruction of the Old Summer Palace in Beijing during the Second Opium War, stating, "How can we claim to be civilized when we've destroyed one of the great creations of civilization?"

The Chinese Communist Party's narrative of national rejuvenation is rooted in a historical context of foreign humiliation, aiming to prevent a repeat of past vulnerabilities.

In Singapore, the absence of historians focusing on its own history reflects a broader trend of self-censorship in discussing sensitive topics, similar to dynamics in China.