Chinese state media warns violent protests threaten Hong Kong lifestyle after race meeting called off
- Communist Party mouthpiece claims the unprecedented cancellation is evidence that ‘violent extremists’ are causing the breakdown of society
A Communist Party mouthpiece has seized on the Jockey Club’s unprecedented cancellation of a race meeting in Hong Kong this week, claiming it as evidence that “violent extremists” were causing the breakdown of society.
The move has ignited debate in the city – some blaming the anti-government protesters, others pointing to Beijing – since horse racing is symbolic of the guarantee Hong Kong was given when it returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. Late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping famously said “the horses will continue to race and the dancers will continue to sway” to indicate that life in the city would carry on as normal after the handover from Britain.
State newspaper People’s Daily used the phrase to make its point in a commentary on Thursday, warning Hongkongers that the months of violent protests were the real threat to their lifestyle.
“When violent disruptions result in horses not being able to race, it is apparent that these violent extremists are the culprit behind the breakdown of Hong Kong’s [society],” the commentary read.
“[Anyone] who treasures the lifestyle where ‘the horses will continue to race and the dancers will continue to sway’ should say no to violence and put that into action by siding with those who protect Hong Kong.”