Editorial | Answer to Hong Kong protest crisis lies at home, not in hands of foreign powers

The raging protests triggered by the extradition bill continue to be a matter of concern to foreign countries, with some using the crisis to pressure the Hong Kong and Beijing governments for political gain.

This is not surprising, given three months of fury have passed and there is still no end in sight. Frustrating as it is, asking the United States to intervene does not seem like a wise step. Not only will it complicate matters further, but also the city may suffer the economic consequences.

The strong turnout for the march to the US consulate on Sunday, the first since the bill was formally withdrawn by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, shows more remains to be done with so many people pushing the US government to pass a law which they hope will help prevent further erosion of the city’s high degree of autonomy and civil liberties.

The proposed Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act would require Washington to assess the city’s political autonomy each year before deciding whether to continue its special status as a separate trade and customs entity. It would also carry sanctions for mainland and city officials, including denying them entry to the US and confiscating their assets.

If experience is any guide, Beijing is unlikely to yield to political threats. Responding to a chorus of international concern on Hong Kong, the latest from German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Beijing on Friday, Premier Li Keqiang said the Chinese had the ability and wisdom to manage their affairs well.

His remarks were seen as not just a warning against foreign interference, but also a commitment to tackle the current crisis according to “one country, two systems”.