Will those in the political middle please step forward to bridge the great divide and save Hong Kong

The political middle should accept Carrie Lam’s olive branch and open up space for reconciliation. Moderates who sympathise with the protest movement should remember that the ability to talk across the divide is a democratic virtue

Christine Loh

Published: 6:30am, 11 Sep 2019

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Hong Kong’s opposition and establishment camps might not be able to bring themselves to do it, so someone else will have to. As an existential crisis engulfs the city, the political middle has a great responsibility to seize this moment and transform it into an opportunity.

The middle ground in politics is usually where the majority view lies. Those who are zealous accuse moderates of being dull, timid and lacking fervour and passion. They call the political middle names like “middle-of-the-roaders”, “fence-sitters”, “opportunists” and “whateverists”.

It is high time to reclaim this middle ground. Hong Kong needs to ease up on political polarisation. We need political moderation to move from anger and protest to dialogue and reconciliation. This is not to ignore or discredit strongly-held political views. Indeed, a healthy society must be able to accommodate passionate advocates. What we want is principled advocacy that helps us heal in times of doubt and division.

Moderation is a salve. It is a disposition, not an ideology. It helps us resist the temptation to persist with political conflict: when too much has been invested in resistance, it can be hard to stand down and talk to those across the divide. But talk we must as this is the way to solve problems, even those that seem intractable.

There are deep-seated fears and concerns in Hong Kong about the “one country, two systems” experiment, as well as frustrations over wide socio-economic inequalities. In the midst of the massive peaceful protests that started in June – a most impressive display of the city’s political moderation – a small minority’s descent into violence has brought about a change in Hong Kong’s civic chemistry.

Something toxic is poisoning our public life: violence, desecration and vandalism are being justified by some people as necessary means to the end of fighting “tyranny”. The danger of this argument is that it could lead to more violence, weakening the moral case for the protest movement and leaving Hong Kong society anxious, angry and emotionally exhausted.

Moderation offers scope for society to resolve complex issues. Moderation as a disposition helps promote humility and prudence. It requires the two contending sides – including the protesters who see themselves as fighting a battle to defend Hong Kong’s freedoms and lifestyle – to recognise their own faults and limits, and restrain their extremist urges. Slogan shouting is just that. After all, there are no simple solutions.

Liberal or conservative, Hongkongers must learn to listen

Now that Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has finally made the long-awaited move to withdraw the much-criticised extradition bill (which would have allowed the case-by-case rendition of fugitive offenders from Hong Kong to other jurisdictions, including the mainland), this may be the olive branch that helps Hong Kong society reconcile and move on.

In a time of rage and resentment, political moderation would serve Hong Kong better, by making dialogue possible and creating a chance to move things along. Facts can be presented, and all sides can listen to different views and have their assumptions challenged. People can exchange views without insults and invectives.

For those who are uncomfortable with dialogue for fear of being seen by their peers as useless or traitorous, it is important to remember that civility, goodwill and being able to talk across the political divide to discover a consensus are essential democratic virtues.

Thus, everyone who believes in the pursuit of democratic life would do well to recognise the wisdom of returning to the middle ground and giving Hong Kong the space to resolve conflict.

It is only with a moderate disposition that we can debate and advocate in a principled fashion and treat people with different views with respect. Isn’t this what we want from our leaders, regardless of political affiliation?

As for our young and emerging leaders who are speaking for the cause of a liberal and democratic Hong Kong, wouldn’t it be encouraging to see them demonstrating their ability to heal the rift, instead of deepening it?

Besides formally withdrawing the extradition bill, Lam has asked her ministers to reach out to the community and start a direct dialogue. Are these sessions for listening, conversation or debate? There are different modes of dialogue, and expectations must be aligned to avoid letting down the public. Let’s hope these town hall gatherings across the districts will be designed, organised and put across in ways that help align expectations.

China broke its promises. That’s why the protests are back

Listening requires the patience and empathy of ministers. Conversation requires listening first, resisting the urge to pontificate, and remaining open to where the public wishes to take a discussion. This is not the time to justify past actions or inaction, or to be combative. This might not yet be the time to start a political debate, which warrants special preparation if policies are to be advanced.

Let’s hope, too, that the more radical members of the protest movement will let the town hall meetings proceed without disruption. It is the political middle that must help soften the impact.

Moderates must stand their ground and make it clear they want these sessions to bring a new beginning, where Hongkongers can show each other and the world they have what it takes to pull the city back from the brink of dissolution.

Let the middle ground become the place to be. Hong Kong has shown the world how peacefully it can protest. Hong Kong has also shown how easily society can fall into disunity and disarray. Hong Kong must now show it can heal itself and recover.

Christine Loh, a former undersecretary for the environment, is an adjunct professor at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

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