"The assassination of Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, is one of the most shocking historical moments.
Although Abe stepped down from the leadership position two years ago, he remains highly influential. His murder at the hands of a former military serviceman while delivering a campaign speech in the Japanese city of Nara left the world stunned and Japan traumatised.
As a dyed-in-the-wool nationalist, Abe was no stranger to controversy. Some of his policies, such as an attempt to revise Japan’s peace constitution, deeply antagonised both people at home and abroad.
His political legacy is rich but complicated. Perhaps it is not surprising that his death has caused a polarised reaction in China.
Some are particularly angry at his comments on Taiwan, which are seen as provocative and adding to mounting tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
Chinese leaders have warned that any attempt to push the self-ruling island towards independence would lead to “ferocious storms”, and Beijing is doubling down on its military build-up to keep the pressure on Taipei.
History is often a summary of accidents. Only time can tell the true impact of Abe’s tragic death, but the news has already added a sense of gloom to a world battered by the raging coronavirus.
Hong Kong, whose residents are addicted to travel, is still struggling as its daily infection cases have rebounded.
Many argue that the city should stop trying to copy the mainland China model and change its quarantine policies. The debate is raging, but for now, Hongkongers can only look at the free-travelling Singaporeans with envy.
Chow Chung Yan,
Executive Editor
