Hong Kong’s radical young politicians need to grow up and learn some respect
Mike Rowse says the antics of pro-democracy protesters at the Golden Bauhinia statue were ill-mannered and politically counterproductive, as being at odds with Beijing serves neither the people nor the chances of success for new leader Carrie Lam
Well, here is a sentiment I could never foresee myself experiencing, let alone putting down on paper, but here goes: I completely agree with pro-Beijing lawmaker Elizabeth Quat Pui-fan.
The group said the purpose was to protest against the central government’s grip on civil society. They also called on people to turn out for the annual protest march on July 1 and give voice to their desire for democracy. But there can be a difference between the claimed motives of people, and the way their actions are perceived by others.
Xi Jinping’s visit will help cement our ties to the nation
The protest was, therefore, likely to be interpreted by Beijing both as an objection to Hong Kong being restored to China, and as a deliberate, calculated insult to our president. This action was therefore politically counterproductive, as well as being ill-mannered.
Hong Kong independence ‘never going to happen’: former governors tell city’s youth to focus on democracy
Those dreaming of a different future for Hong Kong – restored to Britain as some flag wavers wish, or as an independent state as some idealists urge – show every sign of having smoked illicit substances. These options are simply not on the table. We are part of China now and forever, and what we should focus on is making the best of the situation, in particular defending “one country, two systems” with all our energy. Denying “one country” is hardly a good way to start.
I would like to come back to the point about courtesy. Xi is the president of China. We may not like the one-party political system he heads, we may not like some aspects of the central government’s policy towards Hong Kong. But it is an honour for us that our head of state is here to celebrate the return of Hong Kong, and to swear in the new SAR government. It is elementary good manners to show him some respect for the position he holds. That does not mean we all subscribe to communist policies and theories, or we agree with everything the central government does. It just means we respect the office, which we should.
These are some of the adult questions our young political leaders need to be asking themselves. So far, unfortunately, they seem more concerned with getting themselves on the main television news and the front pages of newspapers. It is time they grew up.
Mike Rowse is the CEO of Treloar Enterprises. [email protected]