My Take | Let’s face it, everyone is interfering in Hong Kong’s affairs
- Pan-democrats routinely encourage outside interference, such as from the United States, while any foreign NGOs can freely criticise and pontificate on local affairs, but they argue the central government’s representatives in the city can’t even make comments under ‘one country, two systems’
The pan-democrats and the Bar Association say political organs of the central government cannot comment on Hong Kong affairs, otherwise it’s interference amounting to a breach of “one country, two systems”.
However, since the return of Hong Kong to China in 1997, opposition figures have routinely colluded with foreign governments, especially Washington, and invited them to interfere in the city’s affairs.
They have encouraged, even demanded foreign governments with obvious hostile intentions, to investigate and sanction local and mainland officials, as well as the police. Many of their statements are no more than half-truths and outright provocations.
And yet, they are allowed to do it. In Hong Kong it’s perfectly legal to invite foreign governments’ interference. In most places, such activities may be construed as treason, sedition or subversion, but not in Hong Kong. Perhaps we are lucky, or unlucky, depending on your political stance.
That’s why pan-democratic politicians are so afraid of Article 23 legislation under the Basic Law, which would outlaw their actions. It would bring into practice what most countries have in terms of the law for self-defence against hostile foreign forces and those who collude with them.