What Xi Jinping, Carrie Lam and Hong Kong protesters can do to give Hongkongers a happy 2020

The unrest in Hong Kong has always been a political problem needing a political solution. As the new year approaches, politicians and protesters must reflect, while opposition and police leaders must start leading

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Protesters walk past a Christmas tree as they march through Harbour City, a shopping mall in Tsim Sha Tsui, on December 21. Photo: AFP

Mike Rowse

Mike Rowse has lived in Hong Kong since 1972, and is a naturalised Chinese citizen.

Published: 9:00pm, 29 Dec 2019Updated: 10:31pm, 29 Dec 2019

It’s the time of year when everyone should be making resolutions about doing better in the coming 12 months. As those dealing with Hong Kong affairs are rather busy, here are some suggestions for them for 2020.

Let’s start at the top with President Xi Jinping. He has been very busy this year and there is no chance of a let-up any time soon. The United States, under its erratic President Donald Trump, is now treating China as a strategic competitor and has launched a trade war, slapping tariffs on most Chinese imports.

Although these are paid ultimately by American consumers (a point he still doesn’t seem to grasp), they are hurting the Chinese economy in the short term and may have long-term negative effects on supply chains.

Hong Kong plays only a minor role in this containment exercise (notwithstanding the beliefs of some of our naive youngsters), mainly for American propaganda purposes. My recommendation to Xi is that he should remain focused on the big picture and not allow himself to be distracted by pinpricks such as the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act.

The next in line is vice-premier Han Zheng, the central government’s Hong Kong point man. According to reports, there has been far too much interference in Hong Kong’s affairs by such bodies as the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office and the liaison office. Take the example of Hong Kong protesters’ so-called “five key demands”.