Hong Kong can’t recover until its government learns to tell fact from fiction
The plethora of increasingly disturbing news heralds a new and very dark era in the relationship between Hongkongers and their government. That the government simply ignores the facts as to what ails Hong Kong, and has instead created its own fictional and fanciful narrative, is starkly illustrated by the abject irrelevance of its analysis and actions.
That Hong Kong’s Bar Association felt compelled to announce that the concept and practice of “one country, two systems” is being undermined is a damning indictment of the lack of knowledge that only honest representation forms a basis for the legitimacy to govern.
With government facilitating the emergence of a de facto police state, evidenced most recently by its challenge to the face mask ruling handed down by Justices Anderson Chow Ka-ming and Godfrey Lam Wan-ho of the Court of First Instance, it’s only an independent judiciary that, for now, prevents Hong Kong’s otherwise inevitable slide into authoritarianism.
Arresting opposition legislators just before an election is one of the most insidious acts any society can be accosted by. That the timing was orchestrated by a police force devoid of all credibility following countless allegations of lies and brutality, only serves to further antagonise the 79 per cent of Hongkongers that a recent Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute poll found to be dissatisfied with government.
Mrs Carrie Lam Yuet-ngor has acknowledged having two masters, yet she and her government have fawned over one whilst ignoring the other. The Executive Council, in its advisory role, has shown just how spineless and out of touch our so-called elite have become, while the pro-establishment camp in the Legislative Council has shown nothing but contempt for those it is legally and morally bound to represent.
There’s a minuscule group of Hongkongers who have active communication channels with central government. Between them and the liaison office, it’s become apparent that nothing other than unconscionable negligence describes their collective effort in correcting the prevailing fictional narrative.
Responsibility for the perpetuation of this dangerous and fraudulent narrative rests with government.
Only once its conscience is found and integrity restored, with the real issues accepted and addressed, can Hong Kong have the opportunity to start rebuilding its society and economy.
David G. Allardice, Mid-Levels
New police motto in tune with the times
One can only feel relief that the Hong Kong Police Force has finally altered its motto, after nearly 20 years of commitment to “Serve with Pride and Care”. There have been, as the force points out, changes in society.
What better way of signalling them than a new motto emphasising “loyalty”? We are (or should be) grateful that “Hong Kong” is a part of the new motto (“Serving Hong Kong with Honour, Duty and Loyalty”) or, with all the talk of a different kind of loyalty, the public might fear it was owed elsewhere than to Hong Kong.
“Honour”, too, is important, and so much more conceptual, less disturbingly subjective and fluidly human than “care”. A change truly reflecting our times.
Along with “loyalty” comes “duty”, a concept reassuring to officers who must follow orders.
Suitably contemporary, also, is the manner of arrival of this splendid motto: with no discussion, no consultation nor any warning. So operationally true and politically authentic. And the timing? Exquisite.
Congratulations to all involved!
Paul Serfaty, Mid-Levels