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Letters | Hong Kong protests are the product of a government that failed to read the pulse of the youth

  • The government is not delivering the basics – rule of law, equality and public services – leaving young people feeling they have no future

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Young protesters signal to one another during clashes with riot police on the night of July 28. Photo: James Wendlinger
Letters
I refer to Alex Lo’s column “I was wrong about Occupy student leaders” (July 28).
While I totally agree with the “be careful what you wish for” adage, we need to reflect on what has caused the chaos to go from bad to worse week after week. I disagree with Lo simply ruling out these protesters as “rejects who are now wreaking havoc” on our streets.

We accept that the Hong Kong government is “managed” by the central government. However, our leaders need to take a serious look at whether they are accurately reading the pulse of today’s and future generations of children, and potential leaders. They clearly have underestimated the will of the people and therefore we are here today.

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It is disappointing that, while the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office responded on July 29 to the unrest in the city, we have yet to hear any solutions – other than conflicting and incessant apologies – from Hong Kong leaders. It is no wonder the protesters have labelled the leaders “lame ducks”.

The government must protect certain basic rights of the people: firmly maintain the rule of law, close the ever-increasing wealth gap and lower poverty by providing affordable housing, strong basic bilingual education, health care and subsequent pension benefits. It seems easier said than done but we have been down this road many times before and still have not got this right.

As an expat of many years in Hong Kong, it is very sad to see what the city has become today and even sadder to think the protesters feel they have no future and nothing to lose, even resorting to waving American or British flags.

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