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Paul Yip

This week has seen a class boycott organised by student unions from the eight tertiary institutions to express their disappointment about the chief executive election arrangements for 2017.
The students' action is a demonstration of their aspirations for a more democratic society, which is in the best interest of every stakeholder in Hong Kong.
Our university - the University of Hong Kong - has taken the approach of business as usual and support will be given to students if needed.
But it is unfortunate that for Hong Kong as a whole, it can no longer be business as usual.
We are facing a critical decision: Shall we accept Beijing's "universal suffrage" arrangement or reject it and hope for something better?
We are also about to witness Occupy Central, which could be chaotic despite the organisers' desires to keep it peaceful.
We should be extremely careful if it is indeed held on October 1, National Day, as there will be many people - including young children - watching the fireworks display that night.
We should not provoke one another. The actions of police and demonstrators are very different but the aim is the same: to safeguard the well-being of the city. Any misbehaviour could lead to serious injuries.
The community seems set to split further apart in the days to come. Am I being naive in wondering whether, without the threat of Occupy Central, we could have got a better deal?
The crackdown on the student movement at Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, had a significant negative impact on the Hong Kong-mainland relationship. If that had not happened, could the tension have been avoided?
Occupy Central could well be the beginning of a new chapter in the politics of conflict in Hong Kong. How does this serve Hong Kong? We cannot afford to continuously consume our limited resources in these internal struggles.
The present chief executive election proposal has disappointed many Hong Kong people, who find it hard to accept what they see as Beijing's excessive control over the election outcome.
Beijing should have more confidence in Hong Kong people to select a leader who will look after the well-being of the city and the nation. We need to understand our young people's frustrations and their voices should be heard.
The tertiary students should be mature enough to make their own decision and realise its consequences. But for the secondary students, studying hard and improving themselves would be the best way to advance Hong Kong and themselves at this time.
The chief executive election process should reasonably reflect Hong Kong people's aspirations. Can we have more space for enhancing the existing procedure? The stand-off between the pan-democrats and the central government serves the interests of only a few political opportunists.
If the status quo remains, conflict will prevail for many more years to come.
We have to move on one way or the other, or Hong Kong will be left behind. Our advantages and uniqueness will disappear sooner than we think.
Engagement and communication rather than boycotting everything should be the way to go. I hope both sides will have the wisdom and courage to find a way to break the deadlock.
Paul Yip Siu-fai is a professor of social work and social administration at the University of Hong Kong
 


We must break the political deadlock or risk being left behind

Hundreds of students sit at the open area of Tamar Park as they boycott class. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

News

Hong Kong

The stand-off between pan-democrats and Beijing is not in Hong Kong's best interests


This week has seen a class boycott organised by student unions from the eight tertiary institutions to express their disappointment about the chief executive election arrangements for 2017.


We must break the political deadlock or risk being left behind

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The stand-off between pan-democrats and Beijing is not in Hong Kong's best interests

The stand-off between pan-democrats and Beijing is not in Hong Kong's best interests