
Hong Kong’s not dead – yet. But Carrie Lam and her cabinet must act
- If Hong Kong is to survive this ordeal, the protesters must avoid provocative acts that make crackdowns more likely
- The SAR government is most responsible for the escalation, though, through its misguided bill and recent inaction
The death of Hong Kong has been forecast many times, but the people of this vibrant and spirited city have always proved the doubters wrong. In recent weeks, however, even the most optimistic have started to fear Hong Kong is in terminal decline. So many qualities which make the city special have been undermined.
Meanwhile, the government, traditionally viewed as efficient and pragmatic, appears to have no answers. It is fiddling while Rome burns.
But while the protesters have proved tactically adept, the same cannot be said of their strategy. Their demands have, so far, not been met. How are they to make the best use of the support they receive from the community? How is a leaderless movement to take its campaign forward in a way that will bring tangible, lasting results?
A few hooligans are blackening the name of an admirable mass movement
The protesters are fighting for Hong Kong’s separate identity and core values. Those are admirable causes. And it is easy to understand why some feel peaceful protests do not work, because the government has brushed aside even the largest of such demonstrations. But to retain support from the community, the protesters must honour those values. Violence is not one of them. And freedom of expression means tolerating views you do not agree with.
No doubt, the force faces manpower issues. And a desire to avoid bloodshed is, of course, welcome. But the idea that unlawful behaviour can be tolerated has been allowed to take hold. And that is dangerous. It leads people to take the law into their own hands. The outrageous attack in Yuen Long is an example of where that might end.
Enough is enough: this cycle of violence has to come to an end
But the ultimate responsibility for the problems Hong Kong is facing lies with the city’s government. Having caused the conflict with its plans for an extradition law, which would have seen Hong Kong people sent to mainland China for trial, it is now standing idly by as the violence escalates.
Some suggest it does not know what to do. Others see a sinister plan to allow the troubles to worsen so a crackdown can be justified. Perhaps officials think they can just wait it out, as they did with the Occupy protests in 2014.
Even then, it is not guaranteed the protests will end. But it would show the government is listening and, perhaps, win over the moderate protesters who form the majority.
Hong Kong gains nothing from the shattering of its peace
Change of a different kind is required. Hong Kong needs a political system which works for all, not just the privileged few. The young must be given a role in helping shape the future. They have much to contribute.
Hong Kong is not dead – not yet. But it needs all concerned to think carefully about how best to reverse this damaging decline and lift our city from its current gloom. Violence breeds violence and it must stop. As for the government, it needs to act. In line with the protest theme song, it is time for officials to show that they do hear the people sing.
Cliff Buddle is the Post’s editor of special projects
