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Alex Lo

“Take the island, not the people.”
You may or may not be familiar with this Chinese phrase. But it has several controversial meanings among people in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Chip Tsao, the commentator and writer, has recently resurrected this long-standing row about Beijing’s true intentions towards both places.
In a novel twist, he claims Britain’s offer of the BN(O) scheme for Hongkongers to become citizens there is to help Beijing succeed in governing the city.

Really!
Speaking at RTHK’s City Forum, he said if around 300,000 people take up British residency, it would be good for Hong Kong in terms of “human resources” – making room for new talent – as well as the local property market.
Without directly mentioning the Chinese phrase, he is effectively arguing for its substance: let go of those who don’t want to stay.
His “analysis” has provoked anger within both yellow and blue camps. The yellows think it’s absurd that the British would try to help Beijing because they love Hong Kong people; the blues think it’s absurd that Beijing would want to get rid of everyone just to keep the city when the central government loves Hong Kong people.
It all gets rather emotional. I am not sure Tsao wasn’t being his usual sarcastic self and delighted to get everyone fired up. But he might have stirred up a hornets’ nest.


Before it gained currency in Hong Kong, especially after the 2019 unrest, the Chinese phrase had long been used in Taiwan with a bloodthirsty meaning.
Roughly, the most violent version has the mainland invade the island, and then kill and exile the people. This seems to be a real if paranoid belief among segments of the population seeking independence.
There is even a popular if very rude pro-independence rap song in Mandarin that carries the lines: “Kill the people/Take the island/F*** your mother.”
Tsao does have a point, though. As I have argued in this space, those who wish to leave Hong Kong should be free to do so without penalty, and those who want to come here – especially from the mainland – should be encouraged.
Stripping BN(O) passport holders of Hong Kong residency could spark chaos
For much of its existence as a modern city, Hong Kong has been a city of migrants. People come to take up opportunities; others leave for greener pastures.
Let’s not stop this fine tradition now.


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The days of EU and Nato may be numbered under von der Leyen and Kallas

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Eye-opening court judgment a snapshot of issues that have plagued Hong Kong for years

My Take

An old Chinese phrase causes a new row

Modern Hong Kong is a city of migrants where people come to take up opportunities; others leave for greener pastures. Photo: AFP

Portrait of political commentator Chip Tsao, at Crowne Plaza Hong Kong in Causeway Bay. 17DEC15 [LIFE] SCMP/Jonathan Wong

Stripping British National (Overseas) passport holders of Hong Kong residency could spark another crisis

The British flag flies in front of the British consulate in Admiralty. The British government’s offer to BN(O) passport holders of a pathway to UK citizenship has angered Beijing. Photo: Sam Tsang

First Hongkongers head to North Point to apply for new BN(O) visas as Executive Council member pours cold water on scheme

Hongkongers on Monday began applying in person for a new British National (Overseas) visa that will open a path to citizenship in that country. Photo: Sam Tsang

Lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee attends the press conference by Anti-strike alliance for patients, Fortress Hill. 19FEB20 SCMP / Jonathan Wong

A copy of the British National (Overseas) passport arranged in Hong Kong, China, on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. Prime Minister Boris Johnson estimates about 300,000 Hong Kong citizens will take advantage of a new visa route to leave the former British colony and settle in the U.K., despite nearly three million people being eligible. Photographer: Paul Yeung/Bloomberg

BN(O) ticket: Britain opens doors to Hong Kong residents, but not everyone can walk in, and it’s not cost-free

A view of Tower Bridge in London. Britain’s latest move to allow a citizenship pathway for Hongkongers with BN(O) status has drawn the ire of Beijing. Photo: Bloomberg

A woman wearing a facemask walks over an empty Waterloo Bridge in central London as England's third national lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus continues, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021. (Victoria Jones/PA via AP)

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian attends a press conference in Beijing on Jan. 26, 2021.(Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Two women look up at a banner advertising the National Security Law on Albany Road, Central. The national security law has been unanimously passed by Beijing. 30JUN20 SCMP / Felix Wong

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor meets the press at the Central Government Offices (CGO) in Tamar before the executive council meeting. 26JAN21 Photo: SCMP/ Jonathan Wong

National security law: Beijing’s retaliation against London’s BN(O) pathway ‘down to loyalty test’ for Hong Kong public officers

Civil servants and other officials may have to make a choice over British National (Overseas) passports. Photo: Fung Chang

Former chairwoman of the Democratic Party Emily Lau Wai-hing attends a press conference urging Britain to provide the right of abode or full citizenship to British National (Overseas) BN(O) passport holders, in Mong Kok. 17JUN20 SCMP / K. Y. Cheng

Civil servants return to work at CGO Central Government Offices in Tamar. 02MAR20 SCMP / Sam Tsang

Pedestrians wearing protective masks walk past the Chinese flag, top, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) flag flying outside the Central Government Offices in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong, China, on Monday, April 20, 2020. China is again taking steps to rein in Hong Kong's democracy advocates, drawing fresh condemnation from the U.S. while also antagonizing protesters who paralyzed the city for much of last year. Photographer: Paul Yeung/Bloomberg

Interview with John Tsang Chun-wah on education technology. 23OCT20 SCMP / Jonathan Wong

(FILES) In this file photo taken on June 10, 2017 The Union Flag is seen in front of the clock face of Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) at the Houses of Parliament in London on June 10, 2017. - Brexit becomes a reality on December 31, 2020 as Britain leaves Europe's customs union and single market, ending nearly half a century of often turbulent ties with its closest neighbours. The UK's tortuous departure from the European Union takes full effect when Big Ben strikes 11:00 pm (2300 GMT) in central London, just as the European mainland ushers in 2021 at midnight. Brexit has dominated British politics since the country's narrow vote to leave the bloc in June 2016, opening deep political and social wounds that still remain raw. (Photo by Justin TALLIS / AFP)

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam distances herself from adviser’s call to clamp down on residents acquiring foreign nationality

Carrie Lam meets the press at the government’s Tamar offices on Tuesday. Photo: Nora Tam

Lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee meets the media at the China Overseas Building in Wan Chai. 08JUL19 SCMP / Sam Tsang

Opinion


Writer Chip Tsao’s recent controversial remarks may make sense if he means people should be free to come and go in Hong Kong



Writer Chip Tsao’s recent controversial remarks may make sense if he means people should be free to come and go in Hong Kong.


Hong Kong national security law (NSL)

Hong Kong politics

Britain

Hong Kong protests

British National (Overseas) passport

Hong Kong Basic Law

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Column

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}My Take | An old Chinese phrase causes a new row

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Writer Chip Tsao’s recent controversial remarks may make sense if he means people should be free to come and go in Hong Kong

My Take | An old Chinese phrase causes a new row

Writer Chip Tsao’s recent controversial remarks may make sense if he means people should be free to come and go in Hong Kong