Ten steps to end Hong Kong’s crisis and avert the next one
- Hong Kong needs a way out of its firestorm of protests and violence – and it starts with the government admitting that, by any reasonable definition, it has failed. Another suggestion? Allow Beijing to help
Many in the civil service, political parties and business elite had assumed that they could continue with what worked well in the past. It is clear that these do not work now, and perhaps never truly worked well.
It is time for the government, civil service, and influential groups to be a lot more radical in thinking about how to govern Hong Kong rather than simply administer.
What follows are 10 firm actions to end Hong Kong’s immediate crisis, reveal what went wrong and prevent it from happening again, and to root out the causes of people’s frustration.
Step 1: Admit failure
Step 2: Withdraw the extradition bill fully
Step 3: An independent commission to solve the jurisdiction problem
Step 4: One-off amnesty for all involved
Hong Kong government ‘unlikely to change mind’ on extradition bill inquiry
Step 5: Investigate what failed
Step 6: Launch weekly public forums
More channels to share public opinion and grievances are necessary. A weekly public forum run by a council of universities and non-governmental organisations – namely, groups with credibility – must be held for communities to express key grievances, and build dialogue and trust.
Hongkongers are knowledgeable about the city’s problems and want to support each other. The city should leverage on its strong civil society to find a path out of the crisis.
Step 7: Review how laws and policies are written
There is clearly something wrong with how the government makes proposals and then seeks public support. Despite conducting public consultation after public consultation, the government makes the same mistakes.
Step 8: Pass electoral reform
Electoral reform is probably the one issue that can help heal Hong Kong’s social divides. The lack of electoral legitimacy is perhaps the root of the government’s ineffectiveness at solving problems. Without a mandate, the government is scared of upsetting any segment of society, and so pursues anodyne solutions.
Step 9: Announce a “Housing for All” strategy by 2030
The government needs to set out a bold plan that aims to provide everyone with a decent home within 10 years. All options need to be considered and all resources mobilised: greenfield and brownfield sites, marginal country parkland, urban redevelopment, reclamation, market-based interventions and others.
Step 10: Develop a true social welfare scheme
The end of the protests should not be considered the “end” of the crisis. Otherwise, we will go through the same thing again the next time popular sentiment turns against the government.
Why are young people in Hong Kong so angry?
The responsibility for these steps primarily lies with the Hong Kong government, who is ultimately responsible for the welfare of Hongkongers.
The central government can play a role too. Given that hundreds of thousands of people have just expressed their worries about mainland interference, it may seem odd to consider this as part of the solution. But in some cases, involvement is necessary: electoral reform in Hong Kong cannot pass without Beijing’s tacit acceptance. Beijing can also support Hong Kong’s efforts to improve living standards.
The best way to preserve Hong Kong’s ability to make its own decisions in the long run is to ensure that it works, in terms of governance, policymaking, institutional strength, public trust, and so on. Beijing would probably agree with that.
Chandran Nair is the founder and CEO of the Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT), an independent pan-Asian think tank based in Hong Kong