OpinionHong Kong’s Lion Rock spirit is being eroded. Cathay is only the latest victim of Beijing’s crackdown on the protests

Hong Kong’s protest movement shows no signs of winding down. On Wednesday, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor finally addressed one of the key demands of the protesters – to formally withdraw the extradition bill. However, after three months of oppression – excessive use of force by the police, arrests of protesters, and mob violence targeting protesters – her announcement has not calmed angry Hongkongers. Protesters say the concession is too little, too late. Both Lam’s government and the young radical protesters hold the mentality of “if we burn, you burn with us”. The conflict seems close to being irreconcilable. Thanks to the Lion Rock spirit and the unremitting efforts of its people, Hong Kong has grown from an anonymous fishing village into an international financial centre. In the 1950s and 1960s, the British colonial government lacked long-term plans for the city. However, its laissez-faire governance allowed the refugees who fled to Hong Kong to build a fortune from nothing. Even after the anti-British riots in 1966 and the leftist riots in 1967, society remained intact. In fact, the sense of belonging grew among Hongkongers after these traumatic events. They no longer identified themselves as refugees and started to see the city as their home. Of course, the colonial government also made changes that were critical to the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong. After the riots, it made an effort to establish the rule of law, uphold human rights and introduce a democratic political system. It also reformed policies for housing, medical care, education and welfare. Cathay feels the heat of new era of political risk in China Big British corporations like Swire, Jardine and HSBC were also willing to shoulder their share of public and social responsibilities. For example, John Henry Bremridge and Lydia Dunn were among several senior executives of Swire Group, the parent company of Cathay Pacific, to take up public duties: Bremridge was financial secretary while Dunn joined the Executive Council. Hongkongers have long regarded these companies as local even though they are British-owned. They, especially Cathay and HSBC, make the city proud. However, in the recent anti-extradition bill uproar, Cathay was forced to crack down on employees supporting the protest movement. The support of these Cathay staff had touched the hearts of many. However, under pressure from the Chinese government, Cathay has sacked some of them. Last month, Beijing ordered Cathay to stop aircrew who supported the protests from flying into mainland airspace. The flagship carrier had to comply with a Civil Aviation Administration of China requirement to hand over details of crew members working in Chinese airspace. If the company refused, it risked losing half its business. Adding to a climate of fear, Cathay has urged its employees to not only watch what they post on social media, but also act as “whistle-blowers” to report on any behaviour that flouts the company line. Cathay is in crisis. This week, John Slosar stepped down as Cathay chairman, becoming the company’s third departure at the top in a month, following the resignations of Rupert Hogg as CEO and Paul Loo Kar-pui as deputy CEO. There are now calls to boycott the airline. According to sources, such distorted company culture is spreading in Hong Kong under mainland influence. Political pressure from the central government is now felt in the legal, accounting and medical professions, among others. The Lion Rock spirit of supporting one another through difficult times has been undermined. Even if the current turmoil subsides and order is resumed in society, the scars will never go away. Radical protests are escalating. This has given the police an excuse to use more violence, leading to more injuries and bloodshed. Carrie Lam has met only one of the protesters’ five demands. Hongkongers will not back down until she fulfils the other four. If she really prioritises Hong Kong people’s well-being, as she always claims, she should stop the police from using excessive force and end the mass arrests immediately. Hong Kong must let go of the hatred to restore order in the city. Albert Cheng King-hon is a political commentator. taipan@albertcheng.hk

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} The spirit of helping one another is being undermined, just when the city needs it most amid the widening divisions in society triggered by the extradition law

The spirit of helping one another is being undermined, just when the city needs it most amid the widening divisions in society triggered by the extradition law