Must say I am enjoying this manufactured 'row' between self-appointed business spokespeople and Hong Kong's non-elected Governor, having good friends on both sides. It reminded me of a true story.
A man named Chris made a vague statement about Asian rulers who use the courts against their critics. A few days later there was a knock on his door from agents of the country in which he lived. That's us, they said. We're the people you described.
He was contacted again by the agents later. 'Because you defamed us by identifying us as rulers who use the courts against our critics, we are going to take you to court,' they said.
'But I never made that identification. You did,' replies Chris. The court found him guilty. No one was surprised. That happened in a certain place in Asia a couple of years ago. Fast forward to present day Hong Kong. Another man named Chris says that most business people in the territory are good, but there are a few who are more interested in themselves than in the common good.
A few days later, there is a knock at his door. It is a woman named Nellie and her friends. 'That's us,' she said. 'We're the people you described.' A little while later, Nellie and her friends call a meeting. 'Because you identified us as bad people, we are going to complain to your boss.' 'But I never made that identification. You did,' said Chris.
Isn't there a saying which goes: 'If the cap fits . . . '? The Governor's challenge came thundering out of our radios on Sunday, and was printed in this and other newspapers on Monday.
He said he would retract his criticism of business people 'when someone on the [Preparatory] Committee - anyone - speaks out for dialogue with the Democrats, not confrontation, speaks up for human rights in Hong Kong'.
