Source:
https://scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3030795/hong-kong-shotgun-police-officer-mulls-move-shenzhen-childrens
China/ Politics

Hong Kong shotgun police officer mulls move to Shenzhen for children’s safety

  • Lau Chak-kei says he is considering family relocation after personal details revealed online
Sergeant Lau Chak-kei (left) says he is thinking of moving his family to Shenzhen. Photo: AFP

A Hong Kong police officer lauded in mainland China after he pointed a shotgun at anti-government protesters said he wanted to move his children to Shenzhen for a better education and safety.

Sergeant Lau Chak-kei said there were problems with the education system in Hong Kong, the Xinmin Evening News reported on Saturday.

“Most of the people [taking part in the unrest in Hong Kong] are students ... I don’t want my children to grow up in that environment,” he said, adding that mainland students had better values because they recognised that they were Chinese.

Lau said he also wanted to move his two children because personal details about them had been posted online, forcing them to cancel all after school activities out concern for their safety.

“They have to cancel swimming and cycling,” he was quoted as saying.

Lau is among 10 police officers who have been invited to Beijing for the National Day festivities on October 1.

He said he hoped to walk the Great Wall, eat Peking duck, and get a glimpse of China’s military aircraft, tanks and missiles. He said the management of the Great Wall told him that they would open a “special channel” for him, so he could avoid the crowds at the site during the holiday.

“Since I was young, I have hoped to visit the Great Wall ... My wish will come true now,” he said.

“And I look forward to seeing the military parade on National Day ... It is an honour.”

Lau was hailed as a hero by Chinese state media after he pointed a Remington shotgun loaded with beanbag rounds at hundreds of protesters besieging Kwai Chung Police Station on the night of July 30. The incident was part of the unrest that has gripped the city since June over a now-shelved bill that would have allowed the extradition of criminal suspects to the mainland.

The Kwai Chung incident prompted widespread criticism in the city, but police defended Lau’s actions, saying he feared for his life after being surrounded by protesters and losing his helmet.

“If we could solve this problem without using force, then we would not use force. We don’t want anyone to get hurt,” the report quoted Lau as saying.

But he added: “The Hong Kong police force should be tougher”.

Mainland and Hong Kong government officials have strongly supported the Hong Kong police, stressing their role in stopping the unrest in Hong Kong.

Lau and some other police officers have also opened a Twitter-like Weibo account, posting messages of gratitude for the mainland’s support of the police. In one of the posts, Lau said police were too lenient towards the protesters.