- Protests losing steam as situation improves, for now
BEIJING, China – Hong Kong looks peaceful for now as the demonstrations are losing steam. A visit to Hong Kong reveals that the situation is under control here and the Hong Kong administration looks confident of dealing with the matter prudently and effectively.
A progression of large-scale demonstrations broke out in June this year in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), and a significant number of the protestors had gone far beyond peaceful protests, causing outrageous violence and disruptions.
The radical demonstrators besieged and stormed the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR, vandalized facilities, and insulted the national flag and emblem, and the regional emblem of Hong Kong.
The radical forces also attacked journalists and travelers and assaulted police officers. The violent acts have severely undermined the rule of law, disrupted social order, and hurt Hong Kong’s economy and people’s well-being, as well as the city’s global image.
Such violent acts also blatantly challenged the authority of the central government, touched the bottom line of the principle of “one country, two systems,” and underestimated the strong determination of 1.4 billion Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, to safeguard the integrity of the country’s national unity, territory and sovereignty, say the government authorities.
Authorities blame ‘foreign elements’ for the riots, who according to their findings, ‘played a role’ behind the escalation of the Hong Kong violent incidents, as officials claim that the most sophisticated and modern gadgets wearing protesters had multiple strategies to burn and damage the state infrastructure that reflected a planned and fully backed up strategy.
A Hong Kong state official told DiploMag that the support of ‘anti-China rioters’ is an act of interference in the internal affairs of China.
“The planning and equipments available suggests there was a foreign hand involved. Media’s projection, tagging and branding of protesters also suggest a well thought-out conspiracy is underway. Such acts of meddling in Hong Kong affairs are flagrant interference into China’s internal affairs, an infringement of international law, and obvious hegemonism,” the official said and added that every citizen of Hong Kong has to think about it.
“Hong Kong’s future lies only with China. China’s quick and continued progress has given profitable chances, limitless main impetus, and immense space for Hong Kong,” the official added.
“Hong Kong’s future depends upon entirely and reliably on the principle of ‘one country, two systems’. The conspiracies and Cold War era mentality cannot hinder the journey of the glory of the Chinese people,” the official asserted.
The official said that the Chinese government and Chinese people have the certainty and capacity to safeguard their sovereignty.
Another official, requesting not being named, blamed international players for igniting the riots, saying that some foreign agents were behind the ‘orchestrated protests’.
“We are hopeful that soon everyone in Hong Kong will realise why the UK and the US governments have always been poking their nose into Hong Kong affairs as their goal is to impede China’s peaceful development by interfering into Hong Kong affairs,” the official said.
“China will safeguard the prosperity, sovereignty, and stability of Hong Kong with unity. The Chinese government and Chinese people have the certainty and capacity to ensure their sovereignty. Time will prove that any attempt to ruin China and roil Hong Kong will be defeated in faith on the principle of ‘one country, two systems’,” the official said.
The official said that Hong Kong is a part of China, and it’s beyond all doubts that its fate is closely tied to its motherland. In the past 22 years since Hong Kong’s return to its motherland, the official said, the “one country, two systems” framework has been widely acknowledged as a successful practice in Hong Kong.
Two decades since its return to motherland China, Hong Kong today is considered the most peaceful, prosperous, and progressive region in Asia. Its economy has witnessed a higher speed of growth after its homecoming to mainland China.
Hong Kong is a part of the world where people enjoy a sense of belongingness and security. The citizens of Hong Kong are provided with modern necessary civic facilities. Such facilities are not available in the many parts of the world; even in the Chinese mainland, many areas still striving for these kinds of facilities.
Another Official told DiploMag that many reforms have been introduced in Hong Kong over the past 20 years. Hence, one can see the progress in all walks of life by leaps and bounds. It became one of the world’s leading international financial hubs, and its low taxation characterizes its service-oriented economy it almost offers free port trade and a well-established international financial market.
In Hong Kong, interest rates are determined by individual banks, which ensure they are market-driven. Hong Kong is considered highly dependent on the international trade and finance system. Here, investors enjoy every freedom so their enterprises can flourish. This is regarded as among the most desirable places to start a career in business.
Studies conducted in the recent past show that Hong Kong had improved its status from 998 registered companies in 2014 to more than 2,800 registered startups in 2018.
In 2018, the gross domestic product in Hong Kong reached $360 billion, almost double compared to figures from 1996. The number of tourists to Hong Kong rose to more than 65 million, which is six times higher than in 1997.
Hong Kong has been recognized as a global center of finance, trade and shipping. It ranks among the top in the world by various economic and social development indicators.
With the introduction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the construction of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong will embrace new development opportunities.
“However, it seems enemy forces tried to thwart the progress of Hong Kong. These are the forces who hindered many growing economies with a Cold War mentality. But we are capable to deal with these forces. We are showing a great amount of restraint but the enemy must understand that this restraint must not be confused as weakness,” the official concluded. Ends/-
