CHINA DAILY | HONG KONG EDITION Wednesday, September 4, 2019 | 7 COMMENT HK Say no to Rioters’ self-defense only violence! People wave the national flag and the flag of Hong Kong, holding up placards and banners at Wan Chai exposes naivete, ignorance Police Headquarters to articulate their full support for the police’s endeavors suggests SAR govt adopt strong, potent in clamping down on the Tony Kwok violence. CHINA DAILY measures to restore order and reputation of the city

hat do the Independent Commission Against Corruption’s successful three-pronged Crushing ‘black revolution’ they really want?” is strategy: deterrence, prevention and the ques- education. This strategy must be pre- tion many ceded by a relentless deterrence policy. serves China’s core interests of us asked A clear message needs to be sent that ourselves Tony Kwok involvement in any anti-social rioting is n Aug 23, 1989, some 2 million peo- when we watched television broad- The author is an honorary fellow and ad- a high-risk crime, with lifelong negative ple in the three then-Soviet repub- casts‘W of the wanton violent anti-social junct professor of HKU Space, a council implications if convicted. lics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithu- member of the Chinese Society on Hong and destructive acts undertaken by the At the moment, there is no sign of ania literally joined hands to form Kong and Macao Studies, and young rioters on our streets over the any reduction of the violence. On the Oa “human chain” called the “Baltic Way” to former deputy ICAC commissioner. last 12 weeks. contrary, their trashing of airport facili- symbolize their desire for independence from Perhaps we can now draw some With their shallow ties on Sunday and the MTR stations the Soviet Union. Thirty years later, on Aug took their mindless nihilistic campaign Zhou Bajun answers from the recent TVB interview 23, 2019, the opposition camp in Hong Kong The author is a senior research fellow of program Straight Talk, when a Chinese understanding of poli- to a new level. It will be a mistake if copied the “human chain” with more than China Everbright Holdings. University Student Union representa- the government thinks it can repeat its 100,000 people. It was called the “Hong Kong tive was asked about the current dis- tics, their gullibility strategy of letting “Occupy Central” run Way” and obviously was meant to express the tions. As such, it fails to comprehend the current turbances. It is at least a relief to note and their brainwashed out of steam because there is clearly a organizers’ desire for Hong Kong indepen- major power relations are mainly a ected by the that she has an average command of much larger force now, including a for- dence from China. A week after, the opposi- changing China-US relations. China and the US English, unlike the president of the state of mind, I sug- eign one, supporting the current unrest tion camp held another mass protest march are becoming all-round rivals, meaning confron- Baptist University Student Union, who and backing the rioters’ anti-govern- on Aug 31, the fi fth anniversary of the Nation- tation between the two countries is inevitable. struggled to understand straightfor- gest the adaption of ment campaign. The whole community al People’s Congress Standing Committee Other G7 member states may seem securely fol- ward questions in English at a recent the Independent Com- must actively vocalize its support for passing a resolution on the method of select- lowing the US but may not be on board the US press conference! The English stan- the government in adopting a zero tol- ing the chief executive of the Hong Kong chariot for life. That means China must stand up dards of our university student leaders mission Against Cor- erance approach to the violence. Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) by to the US despite the latter’s extreme full-court is concerning, but that’s another issue. ruption’s successful First, the government must use all universal su rage and the Legislative Council press and do its best to maintain friendly rela- If she is indeed speaking on behalf resources at its disposal, including the of the HKSAR elections in 2016. Commonly tions with other Western developed countries of the young protesters, it just goes three-pronged strategy: Emergency Regulations Ordinance, referred to as the “8.31 decision”, the historic without buckling under their bully attitude. to show their extreme naivete, self- although it may not yet be necessary to document has been included in Annex III of Amid the “paradigm shift of the century”, contradiction and illogically thinking. deterrence, prevention apply all its provisions such as deporta- the HKSAR Basic Law since it was announced China’s priority is to ensure its own core interests For example, she said the young people and education. This tion without trial. More immediately, on Aug 31, 2014. The rationale behind the — namely, its sovereignty, national security and wanted to fi ght for freedom and the an anti-mask law must be brought two commemorative events last month, as a development interest. It would be extremely dif- rule of law. She then cited the recent strategy must be pre- in so the rioters cannot hide behind major part of the ongoing “black revolution”, fi cult if not impossible for China to achieve the example of a Hong Kong resident, the masks while carrying out their was without question to seize the governing objective of a shared future for mankind through Simon Cheng, who was detained on the ceded by a relentless illegal activities. This is a common law- power of the HKSAR and then achieve Hong the Belt and Road Initiative if it cannot even pro- mainland for 15 days. But according to deterrence policy. A enforcement practice in many Western Kong independence. tect its own core interests. news reports, he is a locally employed countries when dealing with public There is plenty of evidence and tell-tale signs That is why the Chinese government has time employee of the British Consulate and clear message needs to protests. It is certainly justifi ed in our that the “black revolution” was instigated and and again stated the Sino-British Joint Declara- was subject to administrative detention current situation. conducted by the US government. Unlike public tion has served its purpose and is now history, on conviction for o enses involving ille- be sent that involvement Second, close down the main com- protests organized by the opposition camp in leaving Hong Kong a airs no other countries’ gal prostitution in Shenzhen! in any anti-social rioting munication tools of the rioters — the Hong Kong in the past, when separatists tended business but China’s internal a airs. In addition She said they wanted to protect the Telegram app and LIHKG web forum. to wave the Union Jack and the now-dead colors to the solemn statement, the Chinese govern- rule of law, but their violent campaign is a high-risk crime, with Third, announce partial curfews. The of British Hong Kong, the US national fl ags have ment has taken a series of measures to uphold its is putting exactly that in jeopardy! She lifelong negative impli- way to do it is, when the rioters gather dominated protest marches during the “black overall jurisdiction over the HKSAR. said that the young rioters need to at a particular district, say the Central revolution”. Beginning on June 9, the often-violent cam- come out to voice their opinions, but cations if convicted. district, the government can immedi- On Aug 26, the 2019 edition of the G7 summit paign, using the extradition law amendment when the chief executive invited them ately declare a partial curfew for that was concluded in France, for the fi rst time in legislation as its main excuse, started as a peace- for an open dialogue, they spurned district alone from midnight onward. 44 years without issuing a joint communique. ful mass protest march but turned into violent her o er and repeated their precondi- “threatened” freedom (note how they That would ensure a clear separation of However, in a joint declaration of merely 264 attacks on police o cers guarding the HKSAR’s tions, including that the chief executive freely demonstrated with violence and rioters and bystanders to enable police words, the G7 leaders managed to mention Hong Central Government Complex and Legislative must declare amnesty for all rioters, spray-painted the most abusive epithets to take strong enforcement action with- Kong, saying the Sino-British Joint Declaration Council Complex in an attempt to break into which is a blatant violation of the rule against authoritative fi gures, including out worrying about causing accidental on the question of Hong Kong is still viable and those headquarters. As of Wednesday, the “black of law. Although the Basic Law clearly the chief executive and the police o - injuries to curious innocent citizens. important and calling for a solution to the cur- revolution” has lasted for 88 days, surpassing the does not invest in the chief executive cers) and lifestyle, they should listen to Fourth, set up a special detention rent turmoil in Hong Kong without violence. A 79-day “Occupy Central” in the fall of 2014 and the power to grant amnesties, as pros- the wise advice of Henry Litton, former center for the rioters and a special week earlier, US President Donald Trump and causing far greater damage to Hong Kong than ecution is the independent exclusive deputy president of the Court of Final court so those arrested can be detained Vice-President Mike Pence mentioned separately “Occupy Central” did. It has been nothing short authority of the secretary for justice, Appeal, who said they should support and subject to a speedy trial. on Aug 19 how the Chinese government handles of an unprecedented administrative, political she insisted that she was told by “legal and make “one country, two systems” Just imagine if such a state of law- the Hong Kong riots would a ect the outcome and social crisis in the history of the HKSAR. professionals and professors” that work so that the central government lessness had taken place during British of bilateral trade talks. They went so far as to Faced with the worsening situation, Chief this is legally feasible. Now we know would be inclined to extend this unique rule. There is no doubt the colonial gov- state that trade talks would reach an agreement Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor didn’t they are the black hands inciting these governing concept beyond its original ernment would have used the full force only if China resolves the Hong Kong issue in a rule out invoking Article 241 of the Emergency young rioters. When she was shown deadline of 2047. They should refl ect of the Emergency Regulations Ordi- humanitarian fashion. Those gestures came as a Regulations Ordinance to introduce emergency videos of the protesters’ violence, she on their gratuitous bellicosity toward nance to suppress it. Therefore, what timely shot in the arm for the opposition camp, law, specifi cally to end the riots, if necessary. said they were forced to use violence Beijing and realize it will only make we need most is public support for fi rm who could not be more grateful to the US and I support the chief executive in making such in response to police violence. But any Beijing pause about continuing to give government action to end the recur- other G7 states or more confi dent that Beijing a decision when necessary because it is not fair-minded objective observers can see Hong Kong people a di erent gover- rent violence so the massive economic would think twice before crushing the “black rev- only conducive to Hong Kong society’s overall it was the other way around — which nance system. losses we have su ered can be reversed olution” with one decisive blow. Apparently, that interests but also in line with the nation’s core is, the violence having been initiated by She tried to play up some young peo- quickly, and our good, long reputation idea is absolutely wrong and very dangerous. interests. The nation is Hong Kong’s ultimate the young rioters, forcing the riot police ple’s mentality of martyrdom regarding as one of the safest cities in the world The opposition camp is totally wrong because support, and the central government will not o cers to suppress them. their willingness to die for their cause. can be reestablished. It must be said its confi dence is based on ignorance about the sit on its hands and let things get out of control But the wake-up call was her state- It’s truly sad to see them proclaim- that some politicians’ knee-jerk objec- reality that the world is undergoing a “paradigm in Hong Kong. If the SAR government cannot ment that they do not believe in the ing they are willing to die fi ghting for tions to bringing back the Emergency shift of the century”. It does not see the fact maintain control of the situation, the central “one country, two systems” principle, something they already have! With Regulations Ordinance was just playing that the global balance of power is tilting from government authorities will take over according and that they consider Hong Kong their shallow understanding of politics, to the gallery. You simply cannot reason the West (the US and Europe) toward the East to the nation’s Constitution and the Basic Law of independence an option! If the young their gullibility and their brainwashed with these rioters into behaving them- (Asia), and the “paradigm shift” revolves around the HKSAR and crush the “black revolution” for people really want to preserve their state of mind, I suggest the adaption of selves once they have tasted blood. the reshaping of the current major power rela- good. Relentless protests take a heavy toll on HKSAR’s economy and stature

learly, there are mixed motivations sieges, the closure of the airport, the vandal- fi nancial reserves remain at a very high level. inward investment, and which even encour- involved in bringing hundreds of ism, the blocking of public transportation, Indeed, many decry the hoarding of such age a wealth drain to overseas fi nancial cen- thousands, perhaps even millions, and the shocking levels of anger illustrated colossal sums by successive governments ters that are seen as safer, the future of Hong of our citizens onto Hong Kong’s in violent attacks upon their fellow citizens here. That may very well be part of the prob- Kong is the big loser here. Cstreets to protest. Some, of a more anarchist and the police. Naturally, these actions are lem because the wealth gap is shockingly Our previously long-held and well- frame of mind, are simply seeking pitched already having the undesirable e ect of put- high in Hong Kong. A large proportion of the deserved reputation as a safe place to live battles with the police. But likely for most of ting people o wanting to visit Hong Kong. Paul Surtees population of this overcrowded city lives in and to do business in, as well as our much- the more-peaceful of them — which is the Its reputation as a safe place to visit has been The author is a university lecturer and vet- comparative or in absolute poverty. This situ- vaunted rule-of-law reputation, have su ered majority — their aim by protesting is to e ect destroyed, with countless millions of poten- eran commentator on Hong Kong a airs. ation could be turned to become part of the an unprecedented blow. It was the bedrock of political change for the betterment of Hong tial visitor dollars being spent here lost. So solution, were greater expenditures of public Hong Kong’s traditional role as a gateway to Kong. Sadly, now that things have really the present troubles are already having an Indeed, the effective rule funds to be devoted to better aid the poor, the doing business with the Chinese mainland. gone far too far in terms of protest measures, adverse e ect on the economy in that way. of law here was once young unemployed, the sick, the elderly and Indeed, the e ective rule of law here was instead of making Hong Kong a better place, Foreign businesses, many of which over the disabled — who make up in total a very once regarded as Hong Kong’s greatest asset. their actions are pulling down Hong Kong. the years have established representative regarded as Hong Kong’s large part of Hong Kong’s citizenry. Again, Now it is going — some will say that it has The irony here is that they are destroying the o ces here, are now less likely to do that, greatest asset. Now it is overseas observers marvel that Hong Kong’s already gone — and that has happened, or very things that they want to preserve. as they may interpret from our embattled social problems are not su ciently addressed is happening, as a direct result of the ever- Hong Kong receives many millions of visi- streets that Hong Kong is no longer a peace- going — some will say that by the spending of more public funds on its increasing and continuing atmosphere of tors (tourists, family visits and business visits) ful and safe place to do business from. They people — who (in theory, at any rate) own violence and thuggery that now prevails on each year. It is a tourist hub for the whole of would choose other places, where the rule of it has already gone. these colossal fi nancial reserves. All this gives Hong Kong’s streets. the Far East. These visitors contribute might- law is not under such a dire threat. a poor impression of Hong Kong’s handling The best way forward would be for the ily to Hong Kong’s fi nances by their spending And then there is the question about into Hong Kong because they fear that it of its public fi nances, again bringing Hong Hong Kong Special Administrative Region money here. But all that such potential visi- investments coming to Hong Kong. Some may not be safe to do so. This, also, is a direct Kong down in terms of international repute. government to respond practically to the tors can see on the world’s news programs wealthy Hong Kong people, fearing the worst result of the street violence that they have By these violent protest actions that serve repeated cries of its own citizens to improve are the dangerous attempts of the radical pro- here, have already transferred their wealth become aware of from the international to dramatically diminish Hong Kong’s visi- the situation, matched by a cessation of vio- testers to achieve anarchy on our previously o shore. And numerous foreign potential news. tor numbers, which put o foreign trading lence from protesters, while peace is given a safe streets. They can observe the sit-ins, the investors are put o bringing their money Sure enough, so far Hong Kong’s public companies from coming here, which inhibit chance to work.