For many mainland Chinese, Hong Kong has been the synonym of openness and prosperity, a shining Pearl of the Orient by the side of Xiang River. Shortly after the opening of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge, I was invited by the S.A.R. government for a brief visit, and was deeply impressed by the openness, inclusiveness, and social order of this international finance hub. However, nearly a year after my visit, Hong Kong is now attracting global attention and frequently making the headlines because of a series of demonstrations and violent incidents. The Pearl of the Orient is now stained with dust, and I sigh for its light waning.
Months ago, the S.A.R. government had pushed the Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation Amendment Bill, trying to fill a legislative loophole by allowing Hong Kong to cooperate on a case-by-case basis with China mainland, China Taiwan and other jurisdictions with which Hong Kong has no formal extradition treaty. This necessary and reasonable legislative measure, however, was intentionally politicized by some, and thereafter leads to large-scale demonstrations under the banner of “No Extradition to China”. Even after the withdrawal of the above-mentioned Amendment Bill by the S.A.R. government in June, instead of ceasing the demonstration, some protestors went to the length of total violence, laying bare their true intention: destabilizing Hong Kong and pursuing so-called “Hong Kong independence”. Ramming into the Legislative Council, sieging the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government, defacing the Chinese national emblem, making and hoarding explosives, brutally attacking the police with lethal weapons, paralyzing the airport by occupation, even illegally restricting and beating up two mainlanders including a journalist. These organized, intentional violent acts have already far breached the boundary of freedom of speech and demonstration, deviated from the value of democracy, and punched through the bottom line of a civilized society. All these deranged acts we are witnessing have dragged Hong Kong into a dangerous situation. This is indeed a time of distress and indignation for all who truly care and love Hong Kong.
