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Twitter Launches 'Milk Tea Alliance' Emoji as Movement Grows

The Milk Tea Alliance, originally a loose coalition that brewed among activists in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand, has grown into a broader movement against growing authoritarianism in many parts of Asia. Photos: Twitter
The Milk Tea Alliance, originally a loose coalition that brewed among activists in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand, has grown into a broader movement against growing authoritarianism in many parts of Asia. Photos: Twitter
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Twitter Launches 'Milk Tea Alliance' Emoji as Movement Grows

The Milk Tea Alliance, originally a loose coalition that brewed among activists in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand, has grown into a broader movement against growing authoritarianism in many parts of Asia. Photos: Twitter
The Milk Tea Alliance, originally a loose coalition that brewed among activists in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand, has grown into a broader movement against growing authoritarianism in many parts of Asia. Photos: Twitter

Social media giant Twitter on Thursday launched an emoji for the Milk Tea Alliance, a global online pro-democracy movement that has united anti-Beijing campaigners in Hong Kong and Taiwan with protesters in Thailand, Myanmar and beyond.

Activists welcomed the announcement of the emoji - a white cup set against a background of three colors representing different shades of milk tea in Thailand, Hong Kong and Taiwan - for the first anniversary of the movement.

The Milk Tea Alliance sprang from a Twitter war that flared after Chinese nationalists accused a young Thai actor and his girlfriend of supporting democracy in Hong Kong and Taiwanese independence.

It is named after a shared passion for sweet tea drinks in the three places.

Use of the hashtag peaked again in February after the military coup in Myanmar, where protesters using the hashtag rallied regional support.

"We have seen more than 11 million Tweets featuring the #MilkTeaAlliance hashtag over the past year," Twitter said in an announcement that pushed the hashtag to among the top trending in Thailand, Hong Kong and Taiwan on Thursday.

Previously, Twitter launched emojis for #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter movements.

The Twitter emoji showed global recognition and lent greater credibility to the youth movement, said prominent Thai activist Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal, one of the alliance's leading voices.

"It's important as it shows the young people fighting for democracy that the world is with them and they're making an impact," Netiwit told Reuters. "It's a sign that online activism can go much further."

Twitter is blocked in China and its apparent endorsement of a movement with a strong current of opposition to Beijing was unlikely to hurt its business, said James Buchanan, a lecturer at Bangkok's Mahidol University International College.

"Twitter has plenty to gain by appealing to young people in the Asian markets that are open to them," he said.

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Saudi Hospitality: From Tradition to Serving Hajj and Umrah Pilgrims

Founded by a group of dedicated volunteers and experts, the Association for Pilgrims and Umrah Services focuses on ensuring the safety and comfort of pilgrims at the start of their journey. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Founded by a group of dedicated volunteers and experts, the Association for Pilgrims and Umrah Services focuses on ensuring the safety and comfort of pilgrims at the start of their journey. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Hospitality: From Tradition to Serving Hajj and Umrah Pilgrims

Founded by a group of dedicated volunteers and experts, the Association for Pilgrims and Umrah Services focuses on ensuring the safety and comfort of pilgrims at the start of their journey. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Founded by a group of dedicated volunteers and experts, the Association for Pilgrims and Umrah Services focuses on ensuring the safety and comfort of pilgrims at the start of their journey. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Arabs have a long-standing tradition of hospitality, treating guests with the utmost respect.

This value remains strong in Saudi Arabia, where generosity extends beyond family gatherings and friend visits to include the Hajj pilgrims and Umrah performers. For them, the Kingdom becomes a second home, with open doors and hearts.

In northern Saudi Arabia, near border crossings that welcome travelers from neighboring countries, the Association for Pilgrims and Umrah Services plays a key role.

Founded by a group of dedicated volunteers and experts, the association focuses on ensuring the safety and comfort of pilgrims at the start of their journey.

The association operates at key border points like Jadeedah Arar and Al-Hadithah, the main entry points for pilgrims coming by land from countries such as Iraq, Jordan, Palestine and Syria.

Close by, the association has set up a fully equipped city for pilgrims, offering a field hospital, relaxation areas, food services and guidance to make their spiritual journey easier.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Badr Al-Shammari, the chairman of the board of directors of the Association for Pilgrims and Umrah Services in Al-Jawf region, told Asharq Al-Awsat: “We are the first point of contact for pilgrims arriving from the north. Our goal is to provide an exceptional experience, ensuring pilgrims feel safe and comfortable, with all the medical and food services they need.”

The association goes beyond basic services, launching innovative projects to tackle challenges. One key initiative is the mobile workshop for fixing broken buses on the route between border crossings and Madinah. The team is always ready to respond quickly, reducing delays and easing the journey for pilgrims.

From the moment pilgrims arrive at the association's site, the team works with local government agencies to provide continuous care and services around the clock.

If pilgrims face health issues, they are immediately examined at the field hospital. For more serious conditions, they are transferred to nearby public hospitals.

One touching story that highlights the association’s humanitarian work involved an elderly pilgrim who fell ill and was taken to a health center by the association's team.

After receiving initial treatment at the field hospital, he was transferred to a public hospital. Once he recovered, he asked how to pay for the medical services he had received. He was surprised to learn that all services were free, as directed by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

Moved, the pilgrim told the team: “I never expected such care and services. Everything was organized, and the staff truly cared about my comfort. I pray that God protects this country and its people.”

At a Hajj and Umrah Conference in Jeddah, Al-Shammari explained that the association’s mission goes beyond providing daily services.

“Our work is a noble mission aimed at fully supporting the guests and helping them perform their rituals easily and comfortably. This is a great honor,” he stressed.