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Hong Kong protests
OpinionLetters

Letters | Hong Kong protests: five demands, not one less? Let the people vote on it

  • A referendum is the best way to end the turmoil, allowing Carrie Lam’s administration to redeem itself, and giving Beijing a chance to respond to the people’s will without being seen as bowing to violence

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A protester in a Doraemon costume joins a march on New Year’s Day, with demonstrators holding up their hands to call for better governance and democratic reforms in Hong Kong. Photo: Reuters
Letters
Political issues demand political solutions. What better way is there to end the ongoing discontent and violence in Hong Kong than to hold a referendum – where the people of Hong Kong are given the right to decide whether they agree with the demands raised by the protesters?

While there is a general consensus on the failure of Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s administration in managing the protest, which has caused irreversible damage to the reputation of this great city, the administration may still redeem itself by letting the people of Hong Kong make the call on the demands raised by the protesters.

This would also give China a way out, allowing it to attribute the final decision, whatever it may be, to the will of the majority in Hong Kong, rather than being seen as bowing to violent protest tactics.
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Given that perception is everything in today’s world, the ongoing protest has not only destroyed Hong Kong’s reputation, but also negatively affected China’s image. Allowing Hong Kong to hold the referendum could help China to mitigate the damage to its image and restore some credibility.

The referendum could be designed by providing Yes/No options to the demands raised by the protesters. For instance:
  1. Should the government categorise the protests as riots?
  2. Should the government set up an independent inquiry into the use of force by the police?
  3. Should the government grant amnesty to arrested protesters?
  4. Should the government look at implementing universal suffrage in Hong Kong over time?
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