While hundreds of milk tea fans flooded an outlet of state-owned brand White Rabbit in Shanghai over last weekend, more than a million Hongkongers took to the streets against the proposed fugitive extradition bill as their must-do activity. How ironic that one city showed its national pride while another in the same country demonstrated its distrust of the mainland government. Ever since the tragedy in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, Hongkongers have developed differently from their counterparts in mainland China. Such differences include not just a different judicial system but also Hongkongers’ strong faith in the pursuit of freedom and human rights, which people have long been deprived of on the mainland. Due to its proximity, Hong Kong has always provided the best vantage point to witness the corrupt practices and inhumane political suppressions under the one-party Chinese governance, case by case and year by year. It is no wonder that the controversial fugitive bill has triggered strong protests from a million and more, and even community-wide strikes of people from all walks of life. While the leaders in Hong Kong government rack their brains to find ways to defuse the crisis, they had better understand that Hongkongers’ faith in upholding basic human rights and freedom has deep roots and will never die, just as their can-do spirit will continue for generations to come. They have underestimated what runs in the veins of Hongkongers. The way out is to keep running Hong Kong with a clear conscience. Surely, this is also the time to test our leaders’ integrity and political wisdom. Kendra Ip, Hung Hom City must push for sustained and systemic change Hong Kong has long been portrayed as a liberal authoritarian hybrid polity. Therefore, many argue that the substantially high levels of civil liberties enjoyed in Hong Kong reduce the social pressure among the silent majority for a unified opposition, which has led to a very slow or even stagnant democratic development. Under the framework of “one country, two systems”, Beijing was seen to have initially refrained from interfering in Hong Kong politics post-1997. However, recent political developments reveal that this no longer holds true. Beijing is increasingly and even actively interfering in different dimensions of Hong Kong affairs, and local civil society is suffering increasing marginalisation from the power structure, and more substantial encroachments on its freedom and rights. Now the rushed debate on proposed amendments to the extradition law has sparked protests recalling the gigantic march in 2003 against a top-down attempt to impose national security legislation . People have lost all trust and confidence in a government that operates under ever-fading legitimacy and credibility. As the state imposes its own structure of interests and intrudes into the autonomous public space, civil society needs to constantly defend itself against these invasions to maintain its autonomy and vibrancy. Our strong and vibrant civil society should not be just be about self-defence against Beijing’s intervention and suppression, but should also push for sustained and systemic change. All Hong Kong citizens are united today in showing our unlimited enthusiasm, energy, and momentum for democracy. After all, nobody likes “politics” per se, but far too many people understand the substantial dangers of ignoring politics. Virtually everything in society has something to do with politics, and it will catch up with you one day even if you avoid it now. Adrian Lam, Tai Koo