The Umbrella Revolution swept to a new level of consequence yesterday. The storming of Hong Kong’s parliament was a slap in the face for President Xi Jinping, the most serious since he took office. Newspapers and TV screens around the world carried the trashing of the Legislative Council Chamber. How will Xi react? Will he listen to peace-makers or hard-liners? In the words of Emily Lau we do not want “rivers of blood” in the streets of Hong Kong.
At HONG KONG BUZZ we support the vast majority of protestors who are peaceful and have walked the streets with them. These youngsters, mostly ordinary Hong Kong kids, are demonstrating against erosion of the rule of law and our freedoms and for expanded democracy. But there is a hard-core of helmeted and masked trouble-makers, possibly triad, maybe paid to “black hand” the Revolution, who smashed their way into our legislature and stayed there for hours defacing it with obscenities. In dealing with these bad eggs the police were too soft and too slow. These trouble-makers move in mobs. The police should order teams of fit well-equipped officers to surround violent gangs, arrest them and see they face the courts.
There is growing fear that Peking could order the People’s Liberation Army onto the streets. Malcolm Rifkind, the former British minister, writes this is President’s Xi’s “most serious setback since he came to power in 2012. He will be feeling humiliated by this popular revolt. Sadly, Hong Kong has won a battle but is unlikely to win the war.” The Daily Telegraph reported, “The storming of Government buildings will give Peking justification for use of greater force.” If Peking ordered PLA troops — 6000 are stationed here — onto Hong Kong streets it would be a bloody disaster. The people have demonstrated in their millions and increasing frustration has led to a greater tendency to violence. There is regrettable anti-mainlander sentiment here. Emily Lau’s fears could come true.
Peking will likely show restraint. It will aim to defuse the tensions. One way is for Carrie Lam to resign as Chief Executive, after a face-saving period and in a way that avoids appearance Peking caved in to the protestors. “She’s finished as Chief Executive of Hong Kong,” said Steve Tsang, director of SOAS University of London’s China Institute. “The Communist Party does not forget and is not very forgiving.” Party officials blame Lam duck for underestimating public reaction to the extradition bill. Carrie will be made the scapegoat. Perhaps unfairly. We do not know what pressures she has been facing from her bosses across the border.
Everyone who loves Hong Kong hopes for restraint and a peaceful outcome. Bonnie Leung of the Civil Human Rights Front said protest organisers want “to transform our power from the streets into the political system.” Now 43 of the 70 seats in the Legislative Council are held by Communist Party supporters. Bonnie’s right. Peaceful transition is the way to go.
Peking should respect Hong Kong’s uniqueness, as a jewel in what might be called the Federation of China. It is a marvelous community with a powerful economy forged through a combination of British rule of law and official order teamed with Chinese hard work and entrepreneurship. Peking should leave Hong Kong alone, controlling our defence and foreign affairs, but otherwise leaving Hong Kong to carry on with full autonomy doing what it does best, producing wealth for all.
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