Hong Kong protesters and government forces must find ways to de-escalate

The confrontation between the Hong Kong government and pro-democracy demonstrators may have reached a new critical point. If the demonstrations continue, the government risks appearing weak and ineffective. The demonstrators will, in turn, look weak and ineffective if they stop. The question for both is how to back off without either side losing face.

Failure to return to the antebellum status quo by the government risks near- and long-term harm to Hong Kong. Possibly the only way the government can stop or control the demonstrations, is to eventually request military or police aid from China. If done, this would essentially destroy Hong Kong’s unique position in the world and its economic power. The government’s route must be to withdraw the bill.

Failure by demonstrators to end their demonstrations, even if the government agrees to withdraw the bill, could compel Chinese government intervention through force. This would, as noted, have a drastic impact on Hong Kong’s economic viability and the freedom of its citizens.

New governments could, of course, reinstitute this bill. But that eventuality could and would be addressed by the citizens of Hong Kong. They have spoken. They would again in the future as powerfully as they have today.

Dr Sidney Weissman, professor of clinical psychiatry, Northwestern University, Chicago

Time for young protesters to quiet down a notch

I was upset by Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s lack of empathy and compassion in the face of such an immense outpouring of raw emotions, when one million marchers took to the streets, people whom she’s supposed to represent. Then Lam all but shelved the extradition bill and presented a humble personal apology in public. Now, with the voice of the people loudly heard, people’s wishes granted and indeed a rare glimpse of democracy at work, I’m switching sides. I believe it’s time to quiet down.

Lacking a sense of history, we often fall victim to lacking common sense as well. It’s now a crime to transport opium across the mainland China border. Yet, a century ago, such an act of flagrant lawlessness was rewarded with a piece of the barren rock off the Pearl River Delta, called Hong Kong – the first opium war that ceded Hong Kong to British rule.

When Deng Xiaoping came up with the ingenious remedy, allowing Hongkongers to rule Hong Kong and continue with their accustomed lifestyle, it was predicated upon the manageability of such a feast of openness. However, when that stability is threatened, all bets are off.

I wish the stone-throwers and the instigators storming the government building would reflect on their actions, and think for a minute what their ultimate objectives are. Is it to bring about Hong Kong’s independence? Or spreading their overzealous democracy over to the mainland? If such naivety and idealism are in fact your aims, let me ask you this: how committed and resolute are you to go all the way?

If Mao’s revolution can serve as a guide, are you a brilliant military strategist, equal in wit to Mao, and prepared for the sacrifice, to live in caves, to bear the brunt of a manhunt on your head for decades? Are you prepared to take on the infamous Long March, as nine-tenths of your comrades die along the way, and your family members are persecuted, tortured and killed? If such resolve is not your cup of tea, my suggestion for today’s well-fed and well-groomed youngsters is: stay home and quiet down a notch.

Tiger James, North Point