SCIO briefing on the position and views on the current situation of Hong Kong
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E-mail China.org.cn, August 28, 2019
Speakers:
Yang Guang, spokesperson of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council
Xu Luying, spokesperson of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council
Chairperson:
Xi Yanchun, spokesperson of the State Council Information Office
Date:
Aug. 6, 2019
Xi Yanchun:
Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to this press conference. Last week, we held a press conference, inviting the spokespersons of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council to introduce its position and views on the current situation of Hong Kong. As Mr. Yang Guang said in conclusion on that occasion, there would surely be more chances for them to communicate with you. Today, we have invited the two spokespersons – Mr. Yang Guang and Ms. Xu Luying – to once again share their views with you.
Now, Mr. Yang Guang will make an introduction.
Yang Guang:
Friends from the media, good afternoon. Taking this opportunity, I would like to ask you to give my best regards to all Hong Kong citizens.
Last week, we held a press conference and clearly stated our position and views on the current situation in Hong Kong. It caught great attention of the Hong Kong society and even the international community. It also received enthusiastic response from the people on the Chinese mainland. From these reactions, we felt the strong positive power that firmly upholds the principle of "one country, two systems" and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), firmly upholds the rule of law in Hong Kong, firmly supports Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and the HKSAR government in governing the region in accordance with the law, and firmly supports the HKSAR police force in enforcing laws rigorously.
Unfortunately, however, we also noticed that violent law-breaking activities continued in the past week. On Aug. 5, the opposition staged a strike in an attempt to paralyze Hong Kong. Being faced with such a severe situation, more and more people have become aware that the disturbance must end. Today, I would like to exchange my views with you on how to understand the latest incidents in Hong Kong and what should be done in the next step.
As we all know, in the recent two months, the demonstrations in Hong Kong have escalated to extremely violent acts, going beyond the freedoms of assembly, demonstration or protest. With upgraded means, escalating intensity and aggravating destructiveness, these acts are shocking. A small number of radical protesters targeted the police and the weapons they used have evolved from bricks and metal rods to lethal weapons such as smoke bombs, petrol bombs, and bow and arrow. They also committed arson. Some utilized the internet to incite violent attacks on the police in lethal ways. These acts have severely undermined the personal and property safety of police officers and residents of Hong Kong. A total of 461 people have been injured during the violent conflicts, including 139 police officers. What is much to the indignation of the people and triggers our high alert is that some radical protesters tore up copies of the Basic Law of the HKSAR and smeared China's national emblem. On the evening of Aug. 3, some unscrupulous people removed a Chinese national flag from a flagpole in Tsim Sha Tsui and flung it into the sea. This act has seriously broken law, blatantly offended national dignity, and challenged the bottom line of the principle "one country, two systems." On Aug. 5, the opposition launched a strike. As a result of the strike, some 250 flights were cancelled, eight metro lines including the Kwun Tong Line were suspended for over five hours, and the Hung Hom Cross-Harbour Tunnel and a number of main roads were blocked. Violent extremists threw fire bombs at police stations and committed arsons at many places. After 19:00 the same day, radical extremists, once again, removed a Chinese national flag in Tsim Sha Tsui and flung it into the sea. These rioters are extremely arrogant and unscrupulous. What awaits them will be a heavy legal blow and an indelible shame in history.
The demonstrations and protests that have lasted for nearly two months, especially the violent acts, have seriously affected Hong Kong's economy and people's livelihood. According to the statistics of the HKSAR government, Hong Kong's economic indicators for the first six months of this year have fallen across the board except for a few sectors. Hong Kong's GDP in the second quarter increased by only 0.6% in real terms over the same period last year, and the economy is facing significant downward pressure. A total of 18 countries and regions have issued travel safety reminders against Hong Kong due to the current situation. Retail and tourism are the first to bear the brunt, and merchant sales and hotel occupancy rates have fallen sharply. What is more serious is that the current state of affairs in Hong Kong has seriously hit the confidence of international investors who have publicly expressed their deep concern about the business environment in Hong Kong. An international rating agency warned that ongoing protests and acts of violence have prevented Hong Kong's economic activities from proceeding normally, and the city's rating may be affected.
It should be clearly pointed out that in Hong Kong's current chaos, those who stand at the front are a small number of violent radicals; in the middle are some kind-hearted citizens who have been misguided and coerced to join; the anti-China forces which have been trying to mess up Hong Kong in and out of Hong Kong are the behind-the-scenes masterminds who have instigated and bolstered the illegal activities of the violent radicals. They have openly and brazenly emboldened violent radicals, and overtly or covertly coordinated, directed and funded violent protests. They have called black white, spared no efforts in playing up fallacies and absurdities such as the so-called "civil disobedience" and even the fallacious view that "only violence can solve problems", and whitewashed and instigated violent incidents. They have also incited radicals to launch the so-called "non-cooperation movement" and apply "maximum pressure", attempting to drag all Hong Kong residents into political wrangling and intensify social contradictions.
Hard facts have proved that the radical protests, which have continued for nearly two months, are extremely serious in nature and have caused very bad influence. They have severely impacted Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, pushing it into a dangerous abyss.
Then, what to do next? This is a major issue that everyone who cares about Hong Kong is thinking about. As the situation in Hong Kong has developed to the severe point today, it is very clear to see the immediate task before all Hong Kong citizens: to stop violence and chaos, and bring back order!
First of all, we want to call on the Hong Kong people. Now is the crucial moment for us to stand firm and guard our beautiful homeland. Let's follow the example of the grey-haired old man who resolutely refused to accept the demonstrators' leaflets at the airport to reject ignorance, bigotry and humiliation. Let's do as the hurried commuters do to thunder at those saboteurs who hold on to the metro car doors and try to stop the metros from running. Let's do as a loving mother does to take the inexplicably angry child home, and reproached the child kindly: "Have you ever seen those big shots, who stir up young people for violent attacks on police every day, let their own children do the same?" Here we sincerely hope the compatriots in Hong Kong to think calmly about the questions: Who will suffer if the situation becomes irremediable? And who will benefit in the end?
We would like to make an appeal to the HKSAR government, the judicial organs and the Hong Kong police: At this important moment concerning Hong Kong's fate, all departments and organs should shoulder their responsibilities to safeguard the rule of law. They need to carry out their respective duties, enforce the law strictly and never be soft on violent violations of the law. With no punishment for lawbreaking, there would be no majesty of the law; without the majesty of the law, the legal system would be nothing. Let me make it clear here today that the central government has unswerving support for Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor. The opposition's attempt to force Chief Executive Carrie Lam to resign is doomed to fail! I reiterate my sincere respect for the Hong Kong police for your resolute and just law enforcement, and you have the strong support of all Chinese. We hope that the people of Hong Kong understand the nature of the current situation, and firmly support Chief Executive Carrie Lam in leading the HKSAR government to govern according to the law, firmly support the Hong Kong police in enforcing laws rigorously, and firmly support departments of the HKSAR government and the judiciary body in meting out punishment to violent criminals according to the law.
We would like to make it clear to the very small group of unscrupulous and violent criminals and the dirty forces behind them: Those who play with fire will perish by it. At the end of the day, they will eventually be punished. Whoever participated in violent and criminal activities would be held accountable in accordance with the law, including the behind-the-scenes masterminds, organizers and directors. I would like to warn all these criminals: Don't ever misjudge the situation and mistake our restraint for weakness. Don't ever underestimate the powerful force of justice in Hong Kong society to safeguard the rule of law and maintain peace and order. Don't ever underestimate the firm resolve and the immense strength of the central government and the people of the whole country to maintain Hong Kong's prosperity and stability and safeguard the fundamental interests of the nation. All in all, the fate of Hong Kong will be decided by all Chinese people including Hong Kong compatriots.
Thank you.
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