01 perspective
Written by: Comment Editor
2020-02-18 07:30
Last updated: 2020-02-18 07:30The word "launch" became the key word of the Anti-Amendment Movement last year, and many Hong Kong people are familiar with it. The so-called misfortunes are not alone. Last year, Hong Kong experienced social turmoil and violent demonstrations for more than half a year, and a new pneumonia epidemic occurred early this year. Under the double blow, the local economy faces the biggest challenge since SARS. The slump in the social industry has a deep impact on the general public. Many people have been laid off or even forced to take unpaid leave, which has gradually changed the slogan into a reality. Experiencing the current predicament, have the people of Hong Kong thought about it again and again, "Lan Chao" turned out to be so harmful?
Last year's demonstrations had already had a significant impact on the local economy, with unemployment rates in the catering, tourism, and retail industries rising. The social atmosphere eased slightly in December last year, but good times were rare. A new type of pneumonia broke out in the Mainland in January, and Hong Kong was subsequently hit by the epidemic. Due to the further reduction of passengers at the border control, coupled with a reduction in the public's willingness to go out and a decline in consumer spending, the local economy, which is already full of scars, is once again hit, and there has been a large number of closures in the hardest hit industries or employees have to take unpaid leave. It can be expected that the decrease in foreign tourists and the sluggish local consumption will cause a vicious circle to the economy, and Hong Kong's economy may not bottom out in the short term. Unfortunately, the situation of "seeking speculation" has just begun.
The epidemic has hit retail and catering businesses and affected even Saigon. (Photo by Xiao Yunrui)
The pneumonia epidemic was not caused by violent protesters. Of course, the current economic difficulties cannot be attributed to the violent demonstrations last year. Even if the social turmoil undoubtedly weakens the "foundation" of the food and retail industry, the timing of the anti-revision demonstration and the outbreak of the new pneumonia are too close. The two have a superimposed effect, and it is difficult for us to scientifically distinguish the impact of the demonstration . Therefore, what we have to think about is not to investigate the cause of the economic depression to some extent as a demonstration, but when the situation of "seeking speculation" has emerged objectively, to reflect on the people who originally proposed to "seeking speculation", have they underestimated their The damage caused by society? When we see citizens slashing their pay and unemployed, or even embarrassing relatives and friends who are closely related to themselves, will they realize that it is not necessarily affordable for Hong Kong society?
The "Lan Chao" advocates were only used as a threat strategy and a slogan at the time, but of course they did not want to "Lan Chao". However, things are of different importance. Not everything can be used to threaten the government and society, especially the livelihood of everyone in Hong Kong and the daily life of the general public. If, unfortunately, the demonstration really succeeds, then society and the economy will not be able to recover easily. Will Hong Kong people really be able to pay the price of "activizing speculation"? If we only discover the scourge at this point, the "speculation theory" originally proposed is a kind of political speculation. This game is betting on the future of Hong Kong. The risks are so high. Isn't it difficult and irresponsible?
The turmoil of the past six months has severely hit the slowing Hong Kong economy. (Profile picture)
At present, citizens who oppose the government have rarely talked about "theories of speculation." Even "Lan Chao" has in turn become a negative statement. The front of the Hospital Authority staff who had launched a strike in order to force the government to "completely seal off", many of its slogans accused the government of "forced citizens to refuse speculation" and "refuse to refuse speculation." Extremists continue to spread on the Internet that they will use the epidemic to "ultimately speculate." Recently the market for "speculation theory" has "sold less and rarely." This makes us understand that the general public does not want to "seek speculation."
The epidemic is ruthless. It is also true that the government's initial epidemic prevention work was slow and inadequate. But even with the tightening of immigration controls at an earlier stage, Hong Kong's market will still be in a depression due to fewer tourists and fewer people leaving the house. In any case, the current economic difficulties should remind us of the "power" of "capturing speculation," and we should understand that radical and violent methods of social resistance are by no means the way out for Hong Kong.
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Wuhan pneumonia anti-revision example demonstrates Hong Kong economy 01 views