Milk Tea Alliance Explained

Milk Tea Alliance
Pic:Milk Tea Alliance Flag.svg
Piccap:The "Milk Tea Alliance" flag created by netizens. The colours represent (from left) Thai milk tea, Hong Kong milk tea and Taiwanese milk tea.[1]
Pictooltip:The "Milk Tea Alliance" flag created by netizens. The colours represent (from left) Thai milk tea, Hong Kong milk tea and Taiwanese milk tea.
T:奶茶聯盟
P:nǎichá liánméng
Bpmf:ㄋㄞˇ ㄔㄚˊ ㄌㄧㄢˊ ㄇㄥˊ
Y:náaihchàh lyùhnmàhng
J:naai5caa4 lyun4mang4
Poj:ni-tê liân-bêng
My:လက်ဖက်ရည်မဟာမိတ်
Tha:พันธมิตรชานม
Rtgs:Phanthamit Cha Nom

The Milk Tea Alliance is an online democracy and human rights movement consisting mainly of netizens from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, and Myanmar (Burma).[2] [3] It originally started as an internet meme, created in response to the increased presence of Chinese nationalist commentators on social media[4] [5] and has evolved into a dynamic multinational protest movement against authoritarianism and advocating democracy. Aside from the four main countries mentioned, the movement has also established a significant presence in the Philippines, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Belarus and Iran.[6]

The Diplomat describes the Milk Tea Alliance, despite it not being institutionalised, as a pro-democracy alternative to ASEAN. In Myanmar's case especially, The Diplomat considers it to be "a central force in shaping the way Myanmar's youth understand the current battle between pro-democracy protesters and their vastly better armed opponents, a predicament faced by other youth in neighboring countries."[7]

Name

Milk tea is a popular drink in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand, the original three countries and territories included in the movement. Netizens from Myanmar and India who later joined also share their own variations of tea with milk.[8] Taiwanese bubble tea, Hong Kong-style milk tea, Thai tea and Burmese milk tea are all local variations of milk tea with strong similarities.[2]

History

See also: Chinese nationalism and Wolf warrior diplomacy.

Origin

In 2020, a Thai actor Vachirawit Chivaaree, also known as Bright, inadvertently reposted an image on Twitter which listed Hong Kong as a "country" (Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China). His post led to negative reactions from Chinese netizens, who attacked him. Vachirawit later apologised for his oversight and removed the image. Thai netizens took to social media and defended Vachirawit with their criticism turning into more generalised criticism of China, launching a Twitter war.[9] Vachirawit's girlfriend also came under scrutiny for perceived support of Taiwanese independence.[10] On June 25, 2020, GMM Grammy, the parent company of GMMTV, where he is a talent, sent lawyers to the Technology Crime Unit to file lawsuits against social media users accused of spreading malicious messages about him.[11]

Chinese netizens launched attacks targeting various aspects of Thailand, including Thai King Vajiralongkorn and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, though much of this failed to have the intended effect as the Thai netizens were generally already critical of their own country and government, with some even encouraging the insults.[12] [13] The Chinese embassy in Bangkok posted a long statement on Facebook condemning the online criticism and a fierce digital battle ensued between Thai netizens and the Chinese embassy.[10]

Within Thailand, support for Hong Kong and Taiwan's struggle against Chinese encroachment has unified the disparate groups of pro-democracy protesters with anti-Beijing sentiment becoming a part of their anti-authoritarian platform.[14] Twitter users in Taiwan and Hong Kong soon joined Thai users in what The Telegraph called "a rare moment of regional solidarity".[15] Pallabi Munsi, writing in OZY, in July 2020, described the Milk Tea Alliance as "Asia's volunteer army rising against China's internet trolls."[16] [9]

Further developments

In the following months, the Milk Tea Alliance evolved from an anti-Beijing meme into a "leaderless protest movement pushing for change across Southeast Asia."[17]

Following the 2020 China–India skirmishes, India has also been included in some formulations of the Alliance with masala chai being their representative variety of milk tea.[18] Politicians in both Taiwan and India have highlighted the existence of the Milk Tea Alliance including Taiwanese representative to the US Hsiao Bi-khim who used the hashtag in a tweet thanking Indians for their support.[19] After Australia called for an investigation into the World Health Organization's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, China threatened a consumer boycott if Australia did not back down from its demands for an inquest. Netizens then included Australia as a member of the Milk Tea Alliance, however, the relation to milk tea is tenuous with the milk product Aptamil standing in for an actual variety of milk tea in imagery.[20]

In August 2020 renewed pro-democracy protests in Thailand, the largest since the 2014 military coup, drew support and solidarity from Taiwanese and Hong Kongers including activist Joshua Wong.[17] The hashtag #MilkTeaAlliance was heavily used by protesters.[21] [22] The 2020 Belarusian protests broke out in August following opposition rejection to the results of the presidential election. Activists from the country, inspired by the Milk Tea Alliance, began to use Ryazhenka, a traditional fermented milk product drink of Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine as a symbol of resistance to the government of Alexander Lukashenko.[23]

In February 2021, in the wake of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, activists in Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand began adopting the Milk Tea Alliance in show of solidarity, with pictures of Royal Myanmar Tea bags shared thousands of times.[24] An illustration by Thai artist Sina Wittayawiroj that depicts Thai, Taiwanese, Hong Kong, Indian and Burmese milk tea under the "Milk Tea Alliance" headline went viral. The anti-coup protesters have been solidly integrated into the online protest movement.[25]

In April 2021, Twitter created an emoji in support of the Milk Tea Alliance following anti-Beijing protests across Hong Kong and the 2021 Myanmar coup.[26] [27] [28] It marked the one year anniversary of the Milk Tea Alliance.[29]

Organization

The movement does not have a formal leadership or hierarchy.[30]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: 【我們信靠奶茶】「泰幽默」擊退「小粉紅」 泰港台三地網民籲組「奶茶聯盟」齊抗中國網軍 . 立場新聞 . 16 April 2020 . 13 September 2020 . 20 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200820135638/https://www.thestandnews.com/international/%E6%88%91%E5%80%91%E4%BF%A1%E9%9D%A0%E5%A5%B6%E8%8C%B6-%E6%B3%B0%E5%B9%BD%E9%BB%98-%E6%93%8A%E9%80%80-%E5%B0%8F%E7%B2%89%E7%B4%85-%E6%B3%B0%E6%B8%AF%E5%8F%B0%E4%B8%89%E5%9C%B0%E7%B6%B2%E6%B0%91%E7%B1%B2%E7%B5%84-%E5%A5%B6%E8%8C%B6%E8%81%AF%E7%9B%9F-%E9%BD%8A%E6%8A%97%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B%E7%B6%B2%E8%BB%8D/ .
  2. News: Tanakasempipat . Patpicha . Young Thais join 'Milk Tea Alliance' in online backlash that angers Beijing . mobile.reuters.com . . 18 April 2020 . 23 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200823125410/https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN21X1ZT?__twitter_impression=true . live .
  3. Web site: Bunyavejchewin . Poowin . Will the 'Milk Tea War' Have a Lasting Impact on China-Thailand Relations? . thediplomat.com . The Diplomat . 4 May 2020 . 3 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200503162509/https://thediplomat.com/2020/05/will-the-milk-tea-war-have-a-lasting-impact-on-china-thailand-relations/ . live .
  4. Web site: McDevitt . Dan . 'In Milk Tea We Trust': How a Thai-Chinese Meme War Led to a New (Online) Pan-Asia Alliance . thediplomat.com . The Diplomat . 18 April 2020 . 18 April 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200418213214/https://thediplomat.com/2020/04/in-milk-tea-we-trust-how-a-thai-chinese-meme-war-led-to-a-new-online-pan-asia-alliance/ . live .
  5. Web site: Lau . Jessie . Why the Taiwanese are thinking more about their identity . www.newstatesman.com . 15 May 2020 . New Statesman . 15 May 2020 . 21 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200521210800/https://www.newstatesman.com/international/places/2020/05/taiwanese-independence-taiwan-china-beijing-identity-hong-kong . live .
  6. News: 'Milk Tea Alliance' pushes for democracy vs China's authoritarianism. en. ABS-CBN News. 15 April 2021. 10 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220410170641/https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/04/14/21/milk-tea-alliance-pushes-for-democracy-vs-chinas-authoritarianism. live.
  7. Web site: Chia . Jasmine . Singer . Scott . How the Milk Tea Alliance Is Remaking Myanmar . 25 July 2021 . thediplomat.com . The Diplomat . 16 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220416123530/https://thediplomat.com/2021/07/how-the-milk-tea-alliance-is-remaking-myanmar/ . live .
  8. News: 24 March 2021. What is the Milk Tea Alliance?. The Economist. 9 April 2021. 0013-0613. 16 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220416123530/https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2021/03/24/what-is-the-milk-tea-alliance. live.
  9. Web site: 2020-10-26 . Young Thais join 'Milk Tea Alliance' in online backlash that angers Beijing . . 2023-07-03 . 26 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201026190335/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-china-internet-idUSKCN21X1ZT . bot: unknown .
  10. Web site: Chen . Heather . 2020-08-18 . Milk Tea Alliance: How A Meme Brought Activists From Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Thailand Together . 2023-07-28 . Vice. en . 16 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220416123530/https://www.vice.com/en/article/y3zkzb/milk-tea-alliance-how-a-meme-brought-activists-from-taiwan-hong-kong-and-thailand-together . live .
  11. Web site: GMM files reports vs fans spreading malicious comments against their artists . 29 June 2023 . 11 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210711040430/https://dzrhnews.com.ph/gmm-files-reports-vs-fans-spreading-malicious-comments-against-their-artists/ . dead .
  12. Web site: Chan . Christina . Milk is thicker than blood: An unlikely digital alliance between Thailand, Hong Kong & Taiwan . hongkongfp.com . 2 May 2020 . Hong Kong Free Press . 18 August 2020 . 14 September 2020 . https://archive.today/20200914224617/https://hongkongfp.com/2020/05/02/milk-is-thicker-than-blood-an-unlikely-digital-alliance-between-thailand-hong-kong-taiwan/ . live .
  13. Web site: Teixeira. Lauren. Thais Show How to Beat China's Online Army. 10 February 2021. Foreign Policy. 17 April 2020. en-US. 15 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220415031311/https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/04/17/nnevvy-bright-firewall-thailand-china-online-army/. live.
  14. Web site: Barron . Laignee . 'We Share the Ideals of Democracy.' How the Milk Tea Alliance Is Brewing Solidarity Among Activists in Asia and Beyond . time.com . Time. 28 October 2020 . 10 December 2020 . 12 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210212201930/https://time.com/5904114/milk-tea-alliance/ . live .
  15. News: Smith . Nicola . #MilkTeaAlliance: New Asian youth movement battles Chinese trolls . . 3 May 2020 . 18 August 2020 . 2 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200702050917/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/05/03/milkteaalliance-new-asian-youth-movement-battles-chinese-trolls/ . live .
  16. Web site: Munsi. Pallabi. 15 July 2020. The Asian Volunteer Army Rising Against China's Internet Trolls. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200729012850/https://www.ozy.com/around-the-world/the-asian-volunteer-army-rising-against-chinas-internet-trolls/334518/. 29 July 2020. 30 July 2020. OZY.
  17. Web site: Chen . Heather . Milk Tea Alliance: How A Meme Brought Activists From Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Thailand Together . www.vice.com . 18 August 2020 . 18 August 2020 . 23 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200823125433/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/y3zkzb/milk-tea-alliance-how-a-meme-brought-activists-from-taiwan-hong-kong-and-thailand-together . live .
  18. Web site: Deol. Taran. 'We conquer, we kill': Taiwan cartoon showing Lord Rama slay Chinese dragon goes viral. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200618192408/https://theprint.in/world/we-conquer-we-kill-taiwan-cartoon-showing-lord-rama-slay-chinese-dragon-goes-viral/443814/. 18 June 2020. 18 June 2020. theprint.in. 18 June 2020. The Print.
  19. Web site: Cheng . Jassie Hsi . The Taiwan–India 'Milk Tea Alliance' . thediplomat.com . The Diplomat . 28 October 2020 . 16 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220416123532/https://thediplomat.com/2020/10/the-taiwan-india-milk-tea-alliance/ . live .
  20. Web site: Everington . Keoni . Photo of the Day: Australia joins Milk Tea Alliance with Taiwan . www.taiwannews.com.tw . 29 April 2020 . Taiwan News . 30 April 2020 . 1 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200501044927/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3925084 . live .
  21. Web site: Patpicha . Tanakasempipat . Chow . Yanni . Pro-Democracy Milk Tea Alliance Brews in Asia . www.usnews.com . . 18 August 2020 . 23 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200823125414/https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2020-08-18/pro-democracy-milk-tea-alliance-brews-in-asia . live .
  22. Web site: Fenn . Kirsten . 'We Share the Ideals of Democracy.' How the Milk Tea Alliance Is Brewing Solidarity Among Activists in Asia and Beyond . www.cbc.ca . CBC Radio . 6 November 2020 . 10 December 2020 . 16 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220416123530/https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-nov-6-2020-1.5792160/thai-pro-democracy-activists-not-alone-in-their-fight-says-hong-kong-lawmaker-1.5792799 . live .
  23. Chachavalpongpun. Pavin. Constitutionalizing the Monarchy. 2020. Journal of International Affairs. 73. 2. 169. 26939972. 0022-197X. 9 April 2021. 16 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220416123530/https://www.jstor.org/stable/26939972. live.
  24. Web site: 4 February 2021.
    1. MilkTeaAlliance has a new target brewing: Myanmar's military
    . 5 February 2021. South China Morning Post. en. 23 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210223094651/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3120526/asias-milkteaalliance-has-new-target-brewing-generals-behind. live.
  25. Web site: Lau . Jessie . Myanmar's Protest Movement Finds Friends in the Milk Tea Alliance . thediplomat.com . The Diplomat . 12 February 2021 . 16 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220416123530/https://thediplomat.com/2021/02/myanmars-protest-movement-finds-friends-in-the-milk-tea-alliance/ . live .
  26. News: 8 April 2021 . Milk Tea Alliance: Twitter creates emoji for pro-democracy activists . en-GB . . 9 April 2021 . 25 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220425183358/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56676144 . live .
  27. Web site: Castronuovo . Celine . 8 April 2021 . Twitter unveils emoji for pro-democracy Milk Tea Alliance . 8 April 2021 . The Hill. en . 8 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210408171409/https://thehill.com/policy/technology/547164-twitter-unveils-emoji-for-pro-democracy-milk-tea-alliance . live .
  28. News: Tanakasempipat . Patpicha . 8 April 2021 . Twitter launches 'Milk Tea Alliance' emoji as movement grows . en . Reuters. 8 April 2021 . 16 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220416123530/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-asia-protests-twitter-idUSKBN2BV0U0 . live .
  29. Web site: 8 April 2021 . Twitter launches emoji to support Milk Tea Alliance, one year after hashtag first appeared . 9 April 2021 . South China Morning Post . en . 16 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220416123530/https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3128783/twitter-launches-emoji-support-milk-tea-alliance-one-year . live .
  30. Web site: Wu . Wendy . Milk Tea Alliance brews trouble for China . www.taiwannews.com.tw . 12 July 2021 . Taiwan News . 14 July 2021 . 14 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210714000305/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4246387 . live .

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