Hot Spots
10/02/2014
Protests in Hong Kong
I have long warned in my “Week in Review” column that there would be massive protests in Hong Kong over Beijing’s attempts to go back on its word and not allow a truly democratic vote for the office of chief executive in 2017. I said the demonstrations would turn increasingly violent. This is exactly what we are seeing the past few days there.
I also believe in examining what the other side says and so I present, without comment, an official editorial from a Chinese government mouthpiece, Global Times, that ran on Monday, Sept. 29, 2014. I will continue to give my own thoughts in WIR.
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Radical activists in Hong Kong announced early Sunday the launch of the Occupy Central movement, raising the curtain on an illicit campaign earlier than expected. Photos of Hong Kong police being forced to disperse demonstrators with teargas have been widely circulated online across the world. These activists are jeopardizing the global image of Hong Kong, and presenting the world with the turbulent face of the city.
Hong Kong is a financial and fashion hub of the world. As Chinese mainlanders, we feel sorrow over the chaos in Hong Kong on Sunday. Radical opposition forces in Hong Kong should be blamed.
U.S. media is linking the Occupy Central movement with the Tiananmen incident in 1989. By hyping such a groundless comparison, they attempt to mislead and stir up Hong Kong society.
China is no longer the same nation it was 25 years ago. We have accumulated experience and drawn lessons from others, which help strengthen our judgment when faced with social disorder.
The county now has more feasible approaches to deal with varied disturbances.
Recent years have witnessed many severe mass incidents, but none had the ability to disturb the thinking of society. China has tackled these incidents smoothly.
In Asia, Hong Kong boasts a tradition of the rule of law. Therefore, the Chinese mainland has confidence that the Hong Kong government will keep the Occupy Central movement under control in accordance with the law. Many worry that the street movement could snowball into a bigger event, further provoking the public mood. This appears exactly the tactic of the radical opposition group. Though facing unprecedented risks, Hong Kong’s basic stability won’t be broken.
The radical activists are doomed. Opposition groups know well it’s impossible to alter the decision of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on Hong Kong’s political reform plan.
Street movements can evolve into revolution when more demonstrators become embroiled in them. However, Hong Kong is not a country; it neither has the conditions for a “color revolution,” nor are the forces on the street influential enough to mobilize its entire populace.
The Alliance for Peace and Democracy has demonstrated its strength and influence. The Hong Kong government can take actions to resume order in response to the damage the radical forces caused to society. Occupy Central is unable to erode the authority of the rule of law.
Opposition groups are attempting to build momentum at the start of Occupy Central. They shouted “Step down Leung Chun-ying” in a bid to scare constructive forces within Hong Kong that support the central government. The central government must firmly support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in taking resolute action against radical activities, including drawing the red line of Hong Kong’s rule of law. It must be made clear that there is no uncertainty over political reform in Hong Kong.
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Hot Spots will return in a few weeks.
Brian Trumbore
