bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Letters

Offer greater freedom to HK within nation
Our friends on the mainland may see Hong Kong as a difficult problem to handle.
The city has been a major beneficiary of China's economic growth. The central government has gone out of its way to help Hong Kong on several occasions to ensure its prosperity and stability. Mainlanders may ask why Hongkongers appear to be so ungrateful and demand so much.
Despite making tremendous economic strides, deep cultural differences when it comes to forms of government remain between the mainland and the SAR.
The mainland is still largely a hierarchical society with a top-down decision-making process. In contrast, Hong Kong is an international financial centre with free flow of information and a highly educated population.
The priority for citizens on the mainland is to make money, as they recall difficult years when citizens had to endure wars and famines. This is clearly not the case in Hong Kong.
The people of Hong Kong should be allowed to elect their own leaders, but remain an integral part of the nation under "one country, two systems" with a high degree of autonomy.
Pro-Beijing political parties have generated negative feelings among many Hong Kong citizens with their clumsy approach.
However, despite all the rhetoric, most Hongkongers know that their future lies with greater economic integration with the rest of China while preserving the city's key characteristics.
Thomas Chow, Sha Tin
 
No different from Beijing's requirements
It is interesting to note the rhetoric emanating from Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and from former governor Chris Patten about the right of Hong Kong people to elect a chief executive free of any constraints from Beijing.
However, are they not overlooking the fact that, in the UK, potential MPs have to be approved by their party's central office before they can be considered for selection by the local party? Is this any different to Beijing's requirements in the selection process for the chief executive?
Christopher Lavender, Mid-Levels
 
Proud of teens who joined class boycott
As a student, I have been proud that my school gave us the chance to choose if we wanted to join the school boycott movement.
We need to speak out now. It will be too late if the day comes when Hongkongers cannot express their opinions on social issues. If not now, then when?
If students do not express their views on these important matters, then who will?
After all, we are talking about our future.
Some critics said the boycott was immature, but we thought in depth before deciding to back the protests.
Liberal studies has helped us to think critically and we were able to make mature judgments.
I am proud of Hong Kong students, even those who did not agree with the Occupy Central movement.
Katy Li Ka-ching, Tseung Kwan O
 
Why things got out of hand in Mong Kok
There have been confrontations during the Occupy Central protests.
Many protesters raised their hands to show their intentions were peaceful on September 28, but police still used tear gas and pepper spray. I think this encouraged some individuals to expand the protest to Mong Kok. Consequently, there were angry clashes between pro- and anti-protest groups.
Many were opposed to the Mong Kok demonstrations, because they said these actions were stopping them doing their work. This is one of Hong Kong's busiest retail districts and many shops had to close.
I think both groups were at fault here. The activists were illegally occupying streets and stopping people from getting to work. But this does not excuse the violent response of some individuals. I hope Hong Kong will recover swiftly from what has happened.
Kathy Liu Yee-kei, Kowloon Tong
 
Activists must not give up brave struggle
As a citizen living in a democracy and a believer in the democratic process, I applaud the efforts of Hong Kong citizens.
Their protests are similar to what is happening in many other parts of the world. Believe it or not, one thing that trumps capitalism and political correctness in the United States is the right to have one's voice heard.
Democracy is built on such a foundation. Hong Kong should continue to defy Beijing's powerful influence so that democracy can begin to thrive.
It is unfortunate that the US compromised on one of its most fundamental values in order to protect its economic interests in China.
This is something that happens all too often domestically as well.
Hong Kong is standing up for its voting rights. However, those currently in power have engaged in intimidation to prevent the will of the people from being heard with underhand tactics.
China has had more than 17 years to help Hong Kong and has failed the city. The days of the despotic regime are coming to an end as the people of Hong Kong will continue to call for freedom.
Let the call go forth among all citizens of Hong Kong that your brothers and sisters who support democracy from all over the world are with you during the problems you may encounter during this crisis.
Hong Kong people should continue with their protests so they can get the voting system that they want. They are doing this for their children's future and to defend the ideals of liberty we all cherish.
This is part of a heritage to which all people are entitled.
People have died in the past in defence of such ideals and Hongkongers are right to rise up and protest against this regime.
Beijing should grant the citizens of the city the freedom they are seeking.
Joe Bialek, Cleveland, Ohio, US
 
Protest has now become intimidation
The siege of vital arteries of our city continues to cause great discomfort and stress to the majority of Hong Kong citizens who have a right to go about their lives unimpeded.
London, New York, Tokyo or Berlin, all capitals of great democracies, would never allow their cities to be blockaded for over a week; this is no longer a protest, it is intimidation.
It is time for Hong Kong to stop being held hostage to these unreasonable students who do not represent any majority whatsoever.
Mark Peaker, The Peak
 
Creating chaos in peaceful community
I was born and brought up in Hong Kong and have always known it to be a civilised, pragmatic and harmonious place.
Most residents in Hong Kong are law-abiding citizens.
However, we now have a group of radicals, in the name of democracy, who encourage and use students and other young people to create chaos in our peaceful community.
Setting up barricades and blocking roads in many key districts affect people's livelihoods and daily lives.
This behaviour, no matter how peaceful the protesters claim to be, is unlawful and selfish.
What right do they have to take away our freedom to get theirs?
Cecilia Ng, Mid-Levels


Letters to the Editor, October 8, 2014

Hypocritical approach by Nick Clegg.

Opinion

Our friends on the mainland may see Hong Kong as a difficult problem to handle.
