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SCMP Editorial

Hong Kong and the world are now only too aware of the images: the Legislative Council chamber trashed and defaced after an orgy of violence and vandalism by mostly young protesters.
It is a sad sight that has harmed our city’s reputation for being a peaceful and safe place to visit, invest in and to do business.
Beijing and Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor have understandably condemned the actions in the strongest terms and those behind them have to face the full force of the law.
But there are also questions, among them how circumstances went from the government’s efforts to plug a legal gap by implementing an extradition bill to such a troubling juncture.

Damage to Legco is so extensive that remaining sessions for the current sitting have been cancelled.
Protesters smashed doors and windows, defaced photographs, scrawled obscenities on walls, tore up copies of the Basic Law and unfurled a British flag.
Numerous laws have been broken. Police have to be commended for swiftly bringing an end to the violence without blood being shed.
But as soon as the outrage began, the damage was done: Legco, for all its perceived flaws, is a cornerstone of the political system and a check and balance to the executive branch.
Unfortunately, those behind Monday’s outrage, on the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule, do not respect authorities and the chamber.
Their actions followed the usual July 1 rally to air grievances against the government, a peaceful protest by hundreds of thousands of people, although smaller than two previous ones in the past month.
Young protesters storm and deface Legco as anarchy engulfs Admiralty
Lam, making her first public appearance in two weeks and with top officials by her side, called for community support and expressed hope that society would quickly return to normal.
She said she was willing to communicate with all sectors including the city’s youth.

They are words often voiced since the Occupy movement in 2014; the dissatisfaction expressed in recent massive rallies proves they have not been backed by sufficient effort.
Beijing called on the Hong Kong government to restore social order as soon as possible.
The State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office called the vandalism a direct attack on the “one country, two systems” principle, while the central government’s liaison office here expressed “shock, indignation and strong condemnation”.
Smashed and ransacked Legco could cost US$1.3 million to repair
The rule of law has been wilfully violated by a small group of radical protesters and they have to pay the price; its respect is a key reason for Hong Kong’s success.
But the storming of Legco has to also be a watershed moment for the way authorities think and act. They cannot continue along the same course.
It is time for genuine consultation and negotiations with all sectors of society on issues of concern.


Ex-Hong Kong lawmaker cleared of obstructing rivals in chaotic 2019 Legco meeting

Hong Kong lawmaker denies exaggerating rival’s role in chaotic meeting

Hong Kong court jails social worker for over 3½ years in retrial on rioting

Former Hong Kong opposition lawmakers jailed for causing Legco ruckus

Hong Kong extradition bill

Hong Kong’s success depends on respect for the rule of law

Protesters smashed doors and windows, defaced photographs and scrawled obscenities on walls of the Legislative Council building in Tamar. Photo: Felix Wong

Protesters retreat as riot police clear the area around Admiralty after protesters stormed the Legislative Council Chamber in Tamar during a protest against the extradition bill on the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong's handover from Britain to China held on July 1, 2019. 02JUL19 SCMP / Sam Tsang

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor meet the press at the Police Headquarters in Wan Chai after protesters stormed the Legislative Council Chamber in Tamar during a protest against the extradition bill on the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong's handover from Britain to China held on July 1, 2019. 02JUL19 SCMP / Winson Wong

Hong Kong protesters’ damage to Legislative Council building could exceed HK$10 million and take weeks to repair

Andrew Leung, president of the Legislative Council, inspects the damage to the Legco building on Tuesday. Photo: Nora Tam

Protesters paid for their drinks at Legco canteen. They left a note writing “We are not thefts, we don’t steal”. 02JUL19 SCMP / Alvin Lum

The Legislative Council Complex is left vandalized after protesters stormed the Legislative Council Chamber in Tamar during a protest against the extradition bill on the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong's handover from Britain to China. 02JUL19 SCMP / Felix Wong

‘Negligent’ police strategy during Hong Kong protests sacrificed force morale and image, say frontline officers, while others praise restrained approach

Riot police watch as crowds smash the doors of the Legislative Council. Photo: Sam Tsang

Protesters smash windows of the Legislative Council Complex in Tamar during a protest against the extradition bill on the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong's handover from Britain to China. 01JUL19 SCMP / Sam Tsang

Protesters retreat as riot police clear the area around Admiralty after protesters stormed the Legislative Council Chamber in Tamar during a protest against the extradition bill on the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong's handover from Britain to China held on July 1, 2019. 02JUL19 SCMP / Roy Issa

Riot police clear the area as the Legislative Council Complex is left vandalized after protesters stormed the Legislative Council Chamber in Tamar during a protest against the extradition bill on the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong's handover from Britain to China. 02JUL19 SCMP / Edmond So

Opinion

Radical protesters who stormed Legco must pay the price for their actions, while authorities must find a way out of this quagmire and restore order


Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor

Legislative Council of Hong Kong

Hong Kong Basic Law

Anti-mainland China sentiments

Occupy Central

Crime in Hong Kong

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Column

Editorial

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Editorial | Hong Kong’s success depends on respect for the rule of law

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Radical protesters who stormed Legco must pay the price for their actions, while authorities must find a way out of this quagmire and restore order

Editorial | Hong Kong’s success depends on respect for the rule of law

Radical protesters who stormed Legco must pay the price for their actions, while authorities must find a way out of this quagmire and restore order