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| Des Voeux Rd, last night. What it doesn't show is that there were just a few hundred |
LETTER TO BBC
Your reporting just now on BBC World Service Hong Kong was grossly biased.
You gave voice to only one side of the argument: a young lady who talked of the "heroic" protesters lined up against a cruel and uncaring government. They are fighting for a "just and fair society" she claims; well, that's what we have already and the irresponsible actions of her and her violent comrades endangers it.
PS: have a look at Yonden Lhatoo's article in yesterday's South China Morning Post. Lhatoo is no conservative or friend of Beijing. [WayBack]
The fact is the days of large peaceful demonstrations with a clear aim (anti extradition treaty) are past. That aim was achieved. Now we are left with a rump of demonstrators who do everything to provoke the police for nebulous ill-defined aims. They deface our streets with vile graffiti like "We are not China" written 我们不是支那 using the offensive Japanese imperial term for China (支那), and, in English, "Fuck Popo" (Popo = police). Yet when the police don't immediately jump to their beck and call (Yuen Long two weeks ago), they protest. And when the police do turn up (Central, last night) the protesters are enraged.
The majority of Hong Kongers are sick and tired of their shenanigans. We have spoken to a wide variety of the average resident: manicurists, dentists, shop owners, building contractors, doctors, lawyers. It's pretty unanimous: support for the initial peaceful anti-extradition treaty demos. But no support for the ongoing violent protests.
We have also seen numerous signs on our island of Lantau expressing support for the police and for the government to implement the rule of law for the stability of Hong Kong. None of those signs is defaced and all are in prominent positions in the various villages in our island, indicating local support.
The result is deep concerns that the violent protesters will bring about — deliberately or otherwise — the very thing they claim to be against: greater Beijing intrusion into our city's affairs. There's already credible talk of the PLA interfering.
About time you interviewed some of these ordinary HK folks. Ordinary Hong kongers. Not just the self-serving violent activists. Who are now just a rump.
PF, etc
(43 years in the city as Australian diplomat, business executive and business founder/owner)
PS: have a look at Yonden Lhatoo's article in yesterday's South China Morning Post. Lhatoo is no conservative or friend of Beijing. [WayBack]
