Hong Kong anti-government protesters reject Beijing’s claim that an inquiry into unrest could only start if they stop taking to the streets
- Director of Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office leaves open possibility of commission to investigate recent unrest, but says demonstrations must ends first
- Protesters tell reporters they have ‘no trust in the government’
Anti-government protesters have vowed “no negotiation and no compromise” a day after Beijing’s top official overseeing Hong Kong affairs said one of their demands – an inquiry into the recent political saga – could happen only when the chaos has ended.
Beijing’s call for unity also prompted a league of major property developers to jointly condemn the increasingly violent protests against the now-shelved extradition bill.
On Wednesday, Zhang Xiaoming, director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, denounced the Hong Kong protests as bearing the “obvious characteristics of a colour revolution” and urged some 500 political and business leaders who met him in Shenzhen, mainland China, to fearlessly safeguard the city’s rule of law.
Zhang left open the possibility of the government setting up a commission to investigate the recent unrest, something widely called for, but only when the protests have ended.
However, a group of activists who have taken part in the spate of protests made clear they would not halt the protests before their demands are met.
“The government should first respond to our five demands instead of asking us to stop protesting,” David Chan told a press conference organised by protesters online, rather than any leadership group.
“We won’t accept any negotiation or compromise because we have no trust in the government.”
The five demands included the inquiry, the bill’s complete withdrawal, the exoneration of arrested protesters, an end to calling the protests “riots”, and universal suffrage.
Meanwhile, 16 major developers, all members of the Hong Kong Real Estate Developers Association (REDA), released a statement strongly condemning the escalating protests.
They included the biggest players, such as Sun Hung Kai Properties, CK Asset Holdings, Henderson Land Development, New World Development, Sino Land and Swire Properties.
Notably absent from the list was Chinese Estate, which is controlled by fugitive tycoon Joseph Lau Luen-hung, who earlier sought a legal challenge against the bill, but eventually dropped it.
Top policeman brought out of retirement to tackle Hong Kong protest crisis
Tam Yiu-chung, the city’s sole delegate to the nation’s top legislative body, said that while Zhang left open the possibility of a commission of inquiry (COI), he also told all at the meeting to have faith in the “widely representative” Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC).
“Zhang said the crisis has been escalating and flooded with diverse opinions, so the conditions for conducting the investigation are not available,” Tam said. “[He said] the issue of accountability can only be looked into after the saga is over.”
Tam added that Zhang said those calling for a COI wanted to weaken the police.
“I believe we could look into the possibilities after the saga is over,” Tam said.
Democratic Party chairman Wu Chi-wai viewed Zhang’s idea of an “open door” as a delaying tactic. “If the government fails to set up a COI now, it has no motivation to do so after the protests are over,” Wu said.
Citing a survey by veteran pollster Robert Chung, which found that about 80 per cent of respondents said a COI should be established, Wu said it was the only way for Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to regain authority and continue to govern.
However, two executive councillors, Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee and Ip Kwok-him, both voiced reservations about a COI, even after the protests end.
“I don’t think anyone would close the door when turmoil comes to a close,” Regina Ip said.
“But a judge-led COI may not be the best way forward as a judge can’t collect much evidence and it would be difficult to summon protesters.”
She said the review could be done in a new format with dialogue between different sides.
Ip Kwok-him said any review should focus on how to solve the city’s deep-rooted conflicts, rather than just looking at police conduct.
Additional reporting by Sandy Li and Sum Lok-kei
