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Hong Kong protesters demonstrate against extradition bill


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https://thestandnews.com/politics/%E5%B1%AF%E9%96%80%E9%86%AB%E9%99%A2%E5%85%A7%E7%A7%91%E5%8F%8A%E8%80%81%E4%BA%BA%E7%A7%91%E9%86%AB%E8%AD%B7%E4%BA%BA%E5%93%A1%E5%AF%A6%E5%90%8D%E8%81%AF%E7%BD%B2-%E8%AD%B4%E8%B2%AC%E8%AD%A6%E5%AF%9F%E6%BF%AB%E7%94%A8%E6%9A%B4%E5%8A%9B-%E8%83%A1%E4%BA%82%E6%96%BC%E9%AC%A7%E5%B8%82%E9%96%8B%E6%A7%8D%E8%8D%89%E8%8F%85%E4%BA%BA%E5%91%BD/

 

 

屯門醫院內科及老人科醫護人員對近日社會事件之聯署聲明

 

Joint Statement of The Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Tuen Mun Hospital in Response to the Recent Situation in Hong Kong

 

以下陳述僅代表參與聯署同事之立場

 

The statement below only represents the opinion of the signatories of the joint statement

 

致香港市民:

 

Dear fellow Hong Kong citizens,

 

我們是一群熱愛香港的屯門醫院內科及老人科醫護人員。六月之初,香港政府無視過百萬市民遊行反對,堅持推出極具爭議的<送中>條例,引起抗爭運動不斷升溫。然而,特首林鄭月娥以及香港政府竟然漠視民意,沒有真正回應任何訴求,而且更選擇使用過度武力鎮壓驅散,致使示威者甚至普通市民受到嚴重傷害,並多次妨礙傷者求醫,作為立志拯救生命的醫護人員,我們為此感到痛心。

 

We are a group of healthcare workers from The Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Tuen Mun Hospital who loves and cares about Hong Kong. Since early June, the Hong Kong government headed by Carrie Lam has been fuelling and escalating protests against the controversial Extradition Bill with its blind eye turned to the grave opposition from millions of citizens who marched on the streets. Instead of listening to its people’s appeal and responding sincerely, excessive force has been used for suppression, causing severe injuries of protestors and even passersby, who have been repeatedly barred from obtaining medical care by the government. As professionals who devote ourselves into saving lives, we are deeply saddened.

 

及後,香港警察更於七月二十一日任由黑社會於元朗西鐵站無差別襲擊、圍毆市民,在市民報案時落閘處理、拒絕執法。才過六天,警察卻親自闖入元朗西鐵站圍毆市民,知法犯法。八月十一日,香港警察繼續公然近距離向示威者、市民甚至救護員開槍,並以可致命的瞄準頭部的方式開槍,令市民受到不必要的永久性傷害,行為令人髮指。同時,警察竟公然在葵芳站內的室內環境下施放催淚彈,完全妄顧室內發放可導致人窒息死亡的危險。同日,北角再次發生黑社會襲擊市民及記者,警察不但袖手旁觀,更護送施襲者離開。作為保護市民性命健康的醫護人員,看見警察如此傷害香港市民,我們感到無比憤慨。

 

This was followed by the Hong Kong Police condoning indiscriminate triad attacks in Yuen Long Station on 21 July. The Yuen Long police station was closed when citizens tried to seek help and report crimes to the Police. Six days later, nevertheless, the Police stormed into the Station and beat citizens up unlawfully. On 11 August, the Hong Kong Police has continued to openly shoot protestors, citizens and even first aiders at close range, targeting at their heads, which was lethal, unnecessary and reckless. Meanwhile, the use of tear gas in the indoor Kwai Fong MTR station has demonstrated that the Police has chosen to ignore the potential danger of passengers suffocating to death. On the very same day in North Point, triad members once again attacked citizens and reporters. Only that this time, the Police not only shut eyes to the crime, but also escorted and protected the assailants to leave. We, as guardians of citizens’ lives and health, have been enraged by how much harm the Police has done to Hong Kong citizens.

 

過去的兩個月,香港經歷史無前例的難關,數以百萬計的香港市民持之以恆地上街以行動表達訴求,爭取公義。然而一路走來,香港警察作為香港唯一可合法使用武力執法之組織,卻多次濫用權力和暴力傷害市民,外國特赦組織亦已點名批評暴行違反國際人權法、歐盟更呼籲拒絕向香港提供鎮壓群眾武器。在不斷升溫的衝突之下,以林鄭為首的香港政府竟一次又一次錯過任何一個亡羊補牢的機會,將香港社會穩定推向危險的深淵。

 

The past two months had witnessed an unprecedented challenge for Hong Kong. Millions of citizens persisted on taking to the streets, fighting battles to win justice. While the Hong Kong Police is the only organization that can lawfully keep arms and enforce law using them, the power and the tool were exploited and abused to assault Hong Kong citizens. Amnesty International Hong Kong has particularly criticized the Police for going against the international human rights law. The European Union also called for a ban on selling protest-suppressing weapons to Hong Kong. Having missed all her chances to mend the situation, Carrie Lam is now leading the city to a dangerous abyss.

 

作為熱愛香港的普通市民,我們呼籲以林鄭為首的香港政府切實地回應市民訴求,以行動令香港社會重返穩定。醫護人員的天職是拯救生命,守護市民健康。眼見香港警察濫用暴力對待香港市民,作為醫護人員我們必須站出來譴責香港警察濫用暴力,胡亂於鬧市開槍草菅人命,危害市民生命安全。

 

As citizens of Hong Kong who loves the city dearly, we call for the government’s concrete response to the people’s demands so that stability can be restored in the society. We condemn the abuse of force by the Hong Kong Police, who, by firing in densely populated areas, posed threat to the safety of citizens.

 

最後,即使社會各界市民或許與我們持不同的立場和意見,我們依然會秉持醫護人員的專業,謹守崗位,對不同立場的病人一律予以施救。

 

Last but not least, despite differences in stance and opinion, our respect to professionalism remains. Patients shall receive our treatment regardless of their stance. 

 

我們在此重申社會上的五大訴求:

 

1. 徹底撤回《逃犯條例》修定

 

2. 撤回 612 暴動定性

 

3. 撤銷對反送中抗爭者無理控罪,承諾不秋後算帳

 

4. 成立獨立調查委員會,徹查警方濫權濫暴,漠視市民性命安危,以及徹查元朗及北角黑社會暴力事件

 

5. 全面落實雙真普選

 

Here is a reiteration of the five major demands:

 

1. Complete withdrawal of the Extradition Bills

 

2. Retraction of the characterizations of the protest on 12 June 2019 as “riots”

 

3. Withdrawal of unreasonable and unnecessary criminal charges against all protesters, promise that no political prosecution will be made afterwards

 

4. Establishment of an independent investigation committee against the Police’s abuse of power and force, as well as their disregard of citizen’s lives and safety. The involvement of triads in Yuen Long and North Point should be investigated too.

 

5. Implementation of Dual Universal Suffrage in Hong Kong

 

作為醫護人員,我們堅定不移地和市民一起並肩同行。

 

香港加油。

 

As medical professionals, we stand firmly by the side of our citizens.

 

Keep it up, Hong Kong!

 

屯門醫院內科及老人科醫護人員:

 

Medical professionals of the Department of Medicine and Geriatrics of Tuen Mun Hospital:

 

鄭耀輝 醫生 蔡立喬 醫生 朱振國 醫生 阮頌橋 醫生 符冬兒 醫生 黃嘉偉 醫生 張志豪 醫生 呂慧翔 醫生 黃任匡 醫生 石珮珊 醫生 徐旭和 醫生 馬焌傑 醫生 葉建慧 醫生 何嘉希 醫生 何焯文 醫生 冼智山 醫生 趙秦 醫生 蔡鎮煒 醫生 李文龍 醫生 朱顯麟 醫生 宋司灝 醫生 張永傑 醫生 賴伯殷 醫生 胡佩儀 醫生 冼琬婷 醫生 何嘉誠 醫生 馮振宇 醫生 陳立城 醫生 朱曦瑜 醫生 何令姸 醫生 黃澤朗 醫生 夏頌賢 醫生 黃天慧 醫生 鍾浣珺 醫生 陳嘉莉 醫生 方文聰 醫生 關耀強 醫生 黃浩恩 醫生 黃詠儀 醫生 王偉明 醫生 陳詠雯 醫生 梁景成 醫生 劉智祥 醫生 陳希能 醫生 黃亦名 醫生 宋啟民 醫生 程康偉 醫生 譚婉兒 醫生 呂秀芳 醫生 岺俊強 醫生 黎浩基 醫生 梁嘉晉 醫生 謝佩雯 醫生 李建綱 醫生 史海業 醫生 洪翊程 醫生 伍文輝 醫生 黃沛儀 醫生 李卓謙 醫生 續暘 醫生 任曉祈 醫生 麥國成 醫生 蕭睿邦 醫生 李曉瑜 醫生 葉玲玲 醫生 黃婷婷 醫生 關子凱 醫生 陳俊賢 醫生 鍾慧琪 醫生 施家鍵 醫生 湯嘉恆 醫生 張嘉翹 醫生 任炳華 醫生

 

劉惠明 護士 梁倩玲 護士 陳卓敏 護士 曾振威 護士 龔子文 護士 陳碧欣 護士 梁綺文 護士 陳栢康 護士 明嘉俊 護士 曾福全 護士 黃燕玲 護士 廖家楠 護士 唐偉鴻 護士 譚漢文 護士 余姿樺 護士 潘遠芬 護士 黃碧權 護士 周子猷 護士 周明宜 護士 蘇偉豪 護士 彭玉鳳 護士 鄭芷峰 護士 張文君 護士 李幸妍 護士 胡甘雯 護士 梁健邦 護士 張嘉恆 護士 周惠嫻 護士 鍾雪君 護士 陳懷恩 護士 劉善斌 護士 黃德輝 護士 鄭泓榕 護士 張晉琿 護士 張駿豪 護士 彭淑萍 護士 劉遠良 護士 殷偉釗 護士 陳文浚 護士 何瑋樂 護士 溫嘉怡 護士 謝啟邦 護士 尹漢榮 護士 楊倩婷 護士 潘惠雯 護士 朱秀蘭 護士 黃宇祥 護士 鄧穎思 護士 劉卓善 護士 馮芷晴 護士 楊曉嵐 護士 黃美珍 護士 謝綺婷 護士 歐陽曉菁 護士 陳湘怡 護士 吳玉珊 護士 陳慧鈴 護士 黃凱盈 護士 陳麗寶 護士 奚美琴 護士 盛嘉欣 護士 朗詩甄 護士 黃瑋霖 護士 張潤蘭 護士 陳佩貞 護士 麥慶湘 護士 陳志輝 護士 呂梓樂 護士 宋婷歡 護士 阮正山 護士 余明燊 護士 黎綺虹 護士 陳焯華 護士 文嘉寶 護士 羅志偉 護士 陳麗儀 護士 李少碧 護士 劉錦成 護士 黎榮芬 護士 李嘉瑩 護士 岑樂盈 護士 李卓賢 護士 葉靜雯 護士 李馨凌 護士 黎淑君 護士 陳艷媚 護士 麥卓怡 護士 林安琪 護士 何綺嫻 護士 孫紫敏 護士 方綺玲 護士 張可欣 護士 鄧平歡 護士 王境瑜 護士 黃欣兒 護士 江善欣 護士 黃銘璿 護士 黃如微 護士 黃穎欣 護士 趙婉彤 護士 周沛宜 護士 曾偉勤 護士 陳淑婷 護士 鄧麗卿 護士 鍾卓誼 護士 莫子茵 護士 周玉蘭 護士 羅秀雯 護士 陳家蕊 護士 陳家麗 護士 黃惠嫦 護士 黃倩茹 護士 温芷洛 護士 袁芷茵 護士 郭婉盈 護士 鄺海峰 護士 陳穎璇 護士 方嘉雯 護士 蘇慧㼆 護士 劉冠鋒 護士 龍鎧銦 護士 梁淑賢 護士 關傑蘅 護士 何

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Its just plain silly when I see ppl keep pointing finger at CL and claim that she is the cause.  Simi lan sai her arrongance and ineqtitude is the problem that caused this slow burn gone hot? All because some youtube "expert" and some bias medias being talking about it? 

 

since 1997, every July 1, there was a protest for democracy annually. Up until 2003, because of article 23, the protest number shot up to 500,000 as claim by organizer. Then it kept growing, until Tung CH was forced to resign in 2007, before his 2nd term was up.  After that the protest cool down, because they have succeeded in taking down the CE. Battle won, all happy.

 

And then after 2011, after Donald Tsang granted 2nd term, protest heat up again, again they wanted to remove the CE. And what happen?  Donald Tsang also have to step down in 2012. 

 

When Leung CY took over, in 2012, the protest numbers from 2011-2013 was already hitting high every year, eventually resulted in the umbrella revolution in Sept 2014. Leung went hard ball and made arrest, and there was no 2nd term for him.

 

When CL took over in 2017, the protesters were still in a lower profile because of the after effect of the 2014 arrest. But they were all waiting for a spake to burn again. They had tasted success with every major protest, and brought down all 3 past CE with no one serve a full 2 terms, there is to be no different to CL. 

 

And so when the Bill came, they took the opportunity to fire it up.  If anyone remember, there was only 2 demands initially, (1) for the bill to be withdrawn and (2) for CL to resign. They knew they would have their way as usual, and this time remove the CE even before 1 term is up. That was what they wanted, the same victory, the signal that they can bring down any CE that is not elected by them. 

 

What can CL do? She is new, not even 2 years into the role, 3 big men before her and none could survive 2 full terms, what makes every one think she can do otherwise? If she follow what Leung CY did and go hard, a 1 term CE is almost cfm. She was hoping that going soft would help her extent her stay, but it just did the opposite. 

 

Is it really her problem? think again, and think hard, it is a HK society problem, and a problem that was there since 1997, nothing any CE do will help. 

 

Her only problem,  is not knowing that the main objective of the protest  was actually to remove her. And when the protesters dont get the blood they have tasted, they just increase pressure. They simply cannot take NO as an answer.  

 

And then things just get worse because the protesters need new reasons to protest, otherwise the fire will die. 

 

I know its a long post, but I just cannot tahan anymore with ppl just shooting blindly. I can go on more, but it will be  really meaningless, so pls use some brain and think before shoot. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Its just plain silly when I see ppl keep pointing finger at CL and claim that she is the cause. Simi lan sai her arrongance and ineqtitude is the problem that caused this slow burn gone hot? All because some youtube "expert" and some bias medias being talking about it?

 

since 1997, every July 1, there was a protest for democracy annually. Up until 2003, because of article 23, the protest number shot up to 500,000 as claim by organizer. Then it kept growing, until Tung CH was forced to resign in 2007, before his 2nd term was up. After that the protest cool down, because they have succeeded in taking down the CE. Battle won, all happy.

 

And then after 2011, after Donald Tsang granted 2nd term, protest heat up again, again they wanted to remove the CE. And what happen? Donald Tsang also have to step down in 2012.

 

When Leung CY took over, in 2012, the protest numbers from 2011-2013 was already hitting high every year, eventually resulted in the umbrella revolution in Sept 2014. Leung went hard ball and made arrest, and there was no 2nd term for him.

 

When CL took over in 2017, the protesters were still in a lower profile because of the after effect of the 2014 arrest. But they were all waiting for a spake to burn again. They had tasted success with every major protest, and brought down all 3 past CE with no one serve a full 2 terms, there is to be no different to CL.

 

And so when the Bill came, they took the opportunity to fire it up. If anyone remember, there was only 2 demands initially, (1) for the bill to be withdrawn and (2) for CL to resign. They knew they would have their way as usual, and this time remove the CE even before 1 term is up. That was what they wanted, the same victory, the signal that they can bring down any CE that is not elected by them.

 

What can CL do? She is new, not even 2 years into the role, 3 big men before her and none could survive 2 full terms, what makes every one think she can do otherwise? If she follow what Leung CY did and go hard, a 1 term CE is almost cfm. She was hoping that going soft would help her extent her stay, but it just did the opposite.

 

Is it really her problem? think again, and think hard, it is a HK society problem, and a problem that was there since 1997, nothing any CE do will help.

 

Her only problem, is not knowing that the main objective of the protest was actually to remove her. And when the protesters dont get the blood they have tasted, they just increase pressure. They simply cannot take NO as an answer.

 

And then things just get worse because the protesters need new reasons to protest, otherwise the fire will die.

 

I know its a long post, but I just cannot tahan anymore with ppl just shooting blindly. I can go on more, but it will be really meaningless, so pls use some brain and think before shoot.

The protest will end when joshua wong appointed as CE of HK.

And hk will not have any more protest afterward

 

And hk will live happily ever after

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The protest will end when joshua wong appointed as CE of HK.

And hk will not have any more protest afterward

 

And hk will live happily ever after

They shd do it. See what happens
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Not many people outside of HK really understood the situation Hongkongers are facing. They have been suppressed badly and the extradition bill is merely a catalyst that triggered all the emotions within them.

 

Singaporeans can work hard to afford a HDB and with grants. However, Hong Kong govt sold their soul to property moguls for money. No matter how hard the younger gen work, many will never ever be able to afford to buy their own house. That's including professionals. If they are lucky, a shoebox apt. That's only maybe. Queue for public housing is years and years, almost impossible.

 

Since HK returned to China, 150 mainlanders are shipped to HK everyday. That is no small number. They are given the benefits and accommodation that were meant for ordinary citizens.

 

For many, the future is already bleak. With China on the horizon, future gen will have it even tougher. Maybe no future to speak of liao.

 

This extradition bill is just CL's way of sucking up to Beijing. Failed sensationally and no way back for her anymore.

It is a miracle Hongkongers took so long to oppose the govt. I agree with everybody that they have no chance of winning against Beijing but they are making their voices heard as much as possible.

You're right. Ppl who don't live/work in HK or are merely casual armchair observers will not truly understand HKers' frustration. I feel its almost like a daily existential hopelessness for many of them.

 

Most of my HK friends and colleagues count themselves lucky as they have bought their apartments many years ago. Those who havent bought one by now will probably never be able to afford one even if they are uni grads with reasonably paid jobs. For current students without wealthy parents, its almost hopeless to ever afford a roof over their heads. Public housing is also not easily accessible as you mentioned due to unreasonably low qualification criterias, long waiting time and mainlanders competition (I only recently knew about this part).

 

In contrast for SGreans, HDB with all the grants is almost a given for any couple with basic salaries. So we've never really worried about a roof over our head except for a minority of the low income group. No matter how "expensive" we claim HDB to be, any HKer will tell you that its like an affordable bungalow in their eyes. The HK housing policies are basically designed to force the majority towards private apartments and make the few ultra rich families ever richer.

 

While I don't agree with the protestors disrupting public infrastructure services, I honestly can't say that I won't be one of them if I were in their shoes when there's nothing to lose (from an individual perspective).

Edited by Jellandross
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If not mistaken, he was whacking a women on the floor before being mobbed.

Considering the accusations of excessive police force, this is not an unexpected reaction by the protestors, if they had really gone at him, he won't have a chance to draw his weapon.

 

Emotions are high, even this policeman looks scared.

it comes down to carrie, the buck stops there. Her arrogance and ineptitude is the problem that caused this slow burn gone hot.

There’s a beedeo on WSJ that captured the moment right outside the glass wall behind that policeman who drew...he mistaken the female protester as a male and pushed her down because she was standing still but had her back towards the glass sliding door. Realizing she’s a female, he put away his baton and intended to grab her on her feet when other protesters thought he’s going to get rough with her and started to rain blows and snatched his baton and shield. That policeman did what he had to do to draw to prevent serious consequences including losing the gun. Edited by mersaylee
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Supercharged

The protest will end when joshua wong appointed as CE of HK.

And hk will not have any more protest afterward

 

And hk will live happily ever after

 

Then it will be first Vietnamese CE of HK... milestone achieved.

 

Vietnam also can declare holiday to commemorate 

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Thereâs a beedeo on WSJ that captured the moment right outside the glass wall behind that policeman who drew...he mistaken the female protester as a male and pushed her down because she was standing still but had her back towards the glass sliding door. Realizing sheâs a female, he put away his baton and intended to grab her on her feet when other protesters thought heâs going to get rough with her and started to rain blows and snatched his baton and shield. That policeman did what he had to do to draw to prevent serious consequences including losing the gun.

Hongkie hate police to the extent treat them as enemy and dog, that tiong reporter that got caught has a i love hk police tshirt and it became an evidence that this reporter is their enemy
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Thereâs a beedeo on WSJ that captured the moment right outside the glass wall behind that policeman who drew...he mistaken the female protester as a male and pushed her down because she was standing still but had her back towards the glass sliding door. Realizing sheâs a female, he put away his baton and intended to grab her on her feet when other protesters thought heâs going to get rough with her and started to rain blows and snatched his baton and shield. That policeman did what he had to do to draw to prevent serious consequences including losing the gun.

I think this has gone way too far, taken on a life of its own. Trust no longer exist fir the hkp. Both the hkp and protestors are being abandoned by carrie.

 

The hkp started great and professional, but has since lost tactical discipline. Tacit collusion with triads and excessive violence is undeniable.

 

The protestors were idealistic.. but a hard edge had rapidly grown in response to police action. It won't be long before a committed core turn militant.

 

Go to 9gag.com, type hong Kong and one can see all the footage of both sides action, and see the degeneration.

I put the blame more on the hkp, a fully trained, equipped, organised martial force CANNOT be compared to protestors in behavioral standards.

 

But most of all, the police cannot solve a political leadership problem.

Carrie is the archetypal civil servant you love to hate. No charisma, disconnected, arrogant, entitled... she makes our wong kan seng look like charming Brad Pitt...

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You're right. Ppl who don't live/work in HK or are merely casual armchair observers will not truly understand HKers' frustration. I feel its almost like a daily existential hopelessness for many of them.

 

Most of my HK friends and colleagues count themselves lucky as they have bought their apartments many years ago. Those who havent bought one by now will probably never be able to afford one even if they are uni grads with reasonably paid jobs. For current students without wealthy parents, its almost hopeless to ever afford a roof over their heads. Public housing is also not easily accessible as you mentioned due to unreasonably low qualification criterias, long waiting time and mainlanders competition (I only recently knew about this part).

 

In contrast for SGreans, HDB with all the grants is almost a given for any couple with basic salaries. So we've never really worried about a roof over our head except for a minority of the low income group. No matter how "expensive" we claim HDB to be, any HKer will tell you that its like an affordable bungalow in their eyes. The HK housing policies are basically designed to force the majority towards private apartments and make the few ultra rich families ever richer.

 

While I don't agree with the protestors disrupting public infrastructure services, I honestly can't say that I won't be one of them if I were in their shoes when there's nothing to lose (from an individual perspective).

If u return to first pages of the this thread. Many of us were on the side of the protestors. Whether against the extradition law or why they marched.

 

I agree that the protestors had valid reasons to march and this incredible socio economic pressure is crucial in the despair of the young.

 

Yes we should not assume we are any different. We share more similarities to hongkongers rather than differences.

 

Similarly. All of us are asking why have the protestors not been about class warfare. At least that has some chance of success lol

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If u return to first pages of the this thread. Many of us were on the side of the protestors. Whether against the extradition law or why they marched.

 

I agree that the protestors had valid reasons to march and this incredible socio economic pressure is crucial in the despair of the young.

 

Yes we should not assume we are any different. We share more similarities to hongkongers rather than differences.

 

Similarly. All of us are asking why have the protestors not been about class warfare. At least that has some chance of success lol

At the beginning protesters feel helpless but now they are hopeless
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https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/commentary/impact-hong-kong-protests-business-investments-beijing-intervene-11800104?cid=h3_referral_inarticlelinks_24082018_cna

 

 

Commentary: Why it’s not in Beijing’s interest to rock the Hong Kong boat

 

And for all that talk about how Hong Kong is now in a very dangerous situation, the city may again prove itself to be more resilient than we think it is, says SUSS’ Yew Chiew Ping. (13 Aug 2019 06:23AM)

 

SINGAPORE: How precarious is the situation in Hong Kong today, and to whom?

 

To outsiders watching Hong Kong, pervasive images of the chaotic scenes of clashes between the protesters and the police force have created an impression that the city is now in a very dangerous situation.

 

To the business community in Hong Kong, however, the real danger lies not in the current protests, but in how autonomous the city can continue to be.

 

A recent study by credit ratings agency Moody’s drives this point home.

 

LIMITED IMPACT ON BUSINESS SENTIMENTS

 

In early July, despite the massive anti-extradition protests in Hong Kong, Moody’s affirmed the city’s Aa2 credit rating, which remains two notches higher than China’s A1.

 

The rating incorporates Moody’s assessment of political risk for Hong Kong, which takes into account challenges to the government’s policies in recent years and particularly visible currently in large-scale protests by the population.

 

In fact, large-scale protests are regarded as “part of the checks and balances in place in Hong Kong, that support institutional strength,” said Moody’s. “Signs that checks and balances weaken would be a negative for Hong Kong’s credit profile.”

 

Moody’s also took pains to highlight the risk of the potential erosion of Hong Kong’s political and economic independence, and a change to its status as an independent entity from China in international settings, like the WTO and in bilateral trade arrangements.

 

Moody’s overall rationale for the stable outlook on Hong Kong’s ratings is revealing about wherein lies the city’s strength and value to both China and global investors: Its distinction from mainland China and other Chinese cities.

 

To that end, an erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy, signaling that it is becoming more fully integrated with Beijing, would hurt the city’s higher rating.

 

This perceived loss of autonomy is also exactly why the Extradition Bill has triggered some degree of capital flight from Hong Kong to Singapore.

 

An expatriate in Hong Kong whom I communicated with expressed the same opinion. For MNCs, the value of Hong Kong revolves primarily around the well-established rule-of-law, a strong and global financial system, access to China, and an efficient market to make and move money, he said.

 

The key concern for businesses, he said, is about how different Hong Kong will remain under Beijing’s influence.

 

Deep-seated concerns over whether longstanding public policies on foreign investments and trade could be overturned by Beijing have been heightened by the controversial Extradition Bill, viewed by some as a product of Beijing’s influence over the city and contributed to the sense that this pressure on Hong Kong authorities will only grow with the passage of time.

 

In this light, the current protests in the city are a minor and temporary factor to the business community, and pale in comparison with what Beijing or the Hong Kong government does next, especially if it is a move that will undermine Hong Kong’s existing freedoms and introduce uncertainty to the business climate.

 

BEIJING IS RELUCTANT TO ROCK THE BOAT

 

There are many reasons why it is in Beijing’s interests to preserve Hong Kong’s perceived autonomy, not least economic ones.

 

Many big Chinese companies, including state-owned enterprises, have set up offices and raised initial public offering funds in Hong Kong, as well as channelled outbound direct investment through the city.

 

For these firms, Hong Kong’s institutional advantages offer them unparalleled access to global opportunities they do not enjoy in other parts of China.

 

The US-Hong Kong Policy Act further underscores the importance of ensuring Hong Kong’s autonomy from China. Under the Act, Hong Kong is treated as a separate customs territory that enjoys special commerce arrangements with the US. Import quotas and the punishing tariffs that the US has imposed on China, for example, do not apply to Hong Kong.

 

Amid the protracted US-China trade war, it is obvious why Hong Kong’s special trading status matters to China, so much so that Beijing in June called on the US not to pass a proposed legislation that would make the special treatment of Hong Kong under the Act conditional upon an annual review of the city’s autonomy.

 

Those who think that sending in the troops to clamp down on the Hong Kong protests is an easy option for Beijing have pathetically little understanding of Hong Kong’s strategic value to China, and of the prohibitive political and economic costs of military intervention for China.

 

As a Hong Kong entrepreneur in his 30s said to me, as long as Beijing does not resort to force, the effects of the current turmoil on the Hong Kong economy are likely to be temporary.

 

As would be expected of resourceful Hong Kongers, however, he has already sought to diversify the economic risks for his FinTech startup by expanding its business to Singapore and the Greater Bay Area.

 

GRAVE GOVERNANCE CHALLENGES AHEAD

 

The repercussions of the current developments on the city’s governance and society, however, will be more lasting.

 

With this bout of unrest, the Hong Kong government, which should have taken resolute action to quell the conflicts, seems to have sunk into a paralysing crisis.

 

The Hong Kong entrepreneur told me his frustrations with the Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s ineptitude, as she “added insult to injury but didn’t offer any solution” to defuse widespread public anger in her repeated press conferences.

 

His sentiments are no doubt shared by the general population. Lam’s popularity rating is now at a historic low, even in comparison to her predecessors.

 

In the absence of meaningful democratic reforms to the Hong Kong political system, which Beijing is loath to grant, the current administration and the next will find it increasingly onerous to govern the city.

 

The tenacious pro-democracy Hong Kongers who have participated in this round of protests are now desensitised to violent tactics, used by the protesters themselves, the police, and even the triads.

 

Their distrust of and defiance to authority will continue to pose grave challenges to future Hong Kong leaders handpicked by Beijing and its loyalists.

 

Whether and to what extent the protests will damage Hong Kong social fabric remain to be seen.

 

As of now, the general public still appears to be tolerant and understanding towards the acts of civil disobedience, even as many had been affected by the strikes and disruptions to train services.

 

One probable reason is because the participants of the rallies and demonstrations since June are from a broader cross section of Hong Kong society, in comparison to the 2014 Umbrella Movement that was dominated by the youth.

 

But as the protests drag on, the impact of the prolonged unrest on people’s livelihood - contract workers in the hospitality industry have found themselves suddenly out of jobs due to the falling number of tourists to Hong Kong – could sway sentiments on how the protests and protesters are viewed.

 

Nevertheless, the city and its people have withstood many tests since the colonial days, and it seems unlikely that they wouldn’t this time.

 

For all that talk about how Hong Kong is now in a very dangerous situation, the city may again prove itself to be more resilient than we think it is.

 

Dr Yew Chiew Ping is head of Contemporary China Studies at the Singapore University of Social Sciences.

 

 

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Supercharged

I think this has gone way too far, taken on a life of its own. Trust no longer exist fir the hkp. Both the hkp and protestors are being abandoned by carrie.

 

The hkp started great and professional, but has since lost tactical discipline. Tacit collusion with triads and excessive violence is undeniable.

 

The protestors were idealistic.. but a hard edge had rapidly grown in response to police action. It won't be long before a committed core turn militant.

 

Go to 9gag.com, type hong Kong and one can see all the footage of both sides action, and see the degeneration.

I put the blame more on the hkp, a fully trained, equipped, organised martial force CANNOT be compared to protestors in behavioral standards.

 

But most of all, the police cannot solve a political leadership problem.

Carrie is the archetypal civil servant you love to hate. No charisma, disconnected, arrogant, entitled... she makes our wong kan seng look like charming Brad Pitt...

 

Do you know that the Hongkies have protested and tried to bring down EVERY CE that was appointed?

 

And they succeeded with the 1st one and also prevented the previous CE (LCY) from getting 2nd term.

 

You can replace Carrie with Karen or Karl and they will still protest and say that the CE is evil, corrupt, bad, blah blah blah....

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