editorial
Written by: Hong Kong 01
2020-07-06 06:00
Last update date: 2020-07-06 06:00Last Tuesday (June 30), the National Security Law of the Minato District was unanimously approved by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and the SAR Government immediately announced the provisions and gazetted it into effect. The next day, the mainstream media of Western countries overwhelmingly titled "Hong Kong is dead", accusing the "Minato City National Security Law" of destroying "one country, two systems", and filled with preconceived political prejudices. At the beginning of the new outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan at the beginning of the year, Western media also made a big fuss, thinking that if the virus appeared in a democratic society, its system was sufficient to control the outbreak. The later facts are that although the European and American countries have learned from China, they have taken the virus lightly. Not only can they avoid the outbreak of immunization in their own territory, it is even more serious than the situation in China. This proves that the prejudice of ideology is superficial, and these media have been slapped hard. According to their theory, Hong Kong, an "undemocratic" place, may only become a severely affected area. As a result, they feel ashamed. Longer ago, when Hong Kong returned to China in 1997, Western mainstream media had predicted that "Hong Kong is dead." As a result, Hong Kong not only did not die, but also "lived" to the present moment so that these Western media could "murder" again.
It is true that from the news of the legislation of the "Minato City National Security Act" to the entry into force, but in just a month, everything came very quickly, which has poured a bit of ice on the Hong Kong social movement and brought inestimable politics. Deterrent. In addition, under the anti-amendment movement, the society experienced excessive excitement and showed fatigue. It can be imagined that for a period of time in the future, many Hong Kong people will be discouraged and discouraged by political ideas, and even choose to be "Hong Kong pigs" without even listening. However, we do not think that the National Security Act of the Hong Kong District is meant to take away the space for Hong Kong people to discuss politics, nor do we believe that the space for political participation in Hong Kong will disappear. However, this basin of ice water will undoubtedly give Hong Kong society a chance to calm down. Everyone should take a good look at the gains and losses of past social movements and think about how to redevelop Hong Kong's democratic system within the framework of "one country, two systems" political ethics.
(Profile picture)
The return of social movement to the original intention of Hong Kong independence dream should wake up
Recall that the social movements in Hong Kong, whether before or after the reunification, are largely aimed at pursuing social and economic fairness and justice. Half a century ago, the "June 7 riots" broke out in Hong Kong, the intensity of which was as violent and violent as the anti-revision movement. On the surface, it was caused by the instigation of the mainland leftists during the Cultural Revolution, but at the end of the day, the reason for pushing so many people to participate in the struggle was not unique. At that time, the population of Hong Kong was growing too fast, and many of the lower class lived in harsh conditions, venting their anger in life by force. The British Hong Kong government appointed MacLehose as the governor after the crackdown and implemented a series of livelihood policy reforms including the construction of public housing, improvement of community construction and welfare treatment. Only then can social problems be gradually eased and the governance crisis eliminated.
In the decades since the 1970s, Hong Kong people have a stable life, and benefited from the rapid economic development brought about by various high-level opportunities, most Hong Kong people rarely have political dissatisfaction, and social movements naturally lack public support. The previous generation of Hong Kong people were often criticized as "Hong Kong pigs", not without objective reasons. After the reunification, the superficial scenery continued for a while, but after several major shocks in Hong Kong, the accumulated disadvantages of the unbalanced economic structure were gradually exposed, and the changes brought about by the 2008 financial tsunami were particularly noticeable. At that time, in response to the downward pressure on the economy, major economies started to operate the printing presses, resulting in the flooding of global funds, creating a capital bubble, and also intensifying the original unhealthy industry and distribution structure. Although the financial industry in Hong Kong is rising on one side, but behind the prosperity of the drunkards, the life of the lower class is becoming more impoverished, and social contradictions are more prominent. The government did not have the foresight and wisdom to implement corresponding policies to deal with serious social and economic injustices, which gradually accumulated public resentment.
After the 2010s, the rise of localism in Hong Kong is largely due to the fact that many people face self-defense in the face of social and economic problems such as wages falling far behind the soaring property prices and stagnation of class mobility. Some young people today take risks and support localism, and even embark on the astray of "Hong Kong independence" and violent struggle. The younger groups are the hardest hit by this abnormal social structure. They are unequal and unfair to society, eager to change the future through their own power. Therefore, "native" represents not only a local sentiment, but also a resistance to social injustice.
In the anti-amendment campaign that started in 2019, some demonstrators also demanded universal suffrage. (Information picture/photo by Luo Junhao)
The pursuit of "universal elections" by localism and social movements does not only depend on the form of elections, but believes that this can solve the hardship of people's livelihood. In recent years, localism, such as the scorching fire, is the result of such a long-term social injustice. Coupled with the improper governance of the Hong Kong government, the establishment faction is willing to be a "royal party" and even escort the vested interests, causing Hong Kong to waste critical time for reforming society and quelling public resentment. As a result, some people think that the traditional "harmony and justice" method of resistance is invalid, so that localism has gradually evolved into "Hong Kong independence is the only way out" and gradually led the social movement to the current extreme form. However, is "Hong Kong independence" really the only way out? The British Hong Kong government has ruled Hong Kong for more than 100 years and has never really granted democracy to Hong Kong, but the participants in the social movement have not proposed "Hong Kong independence"; the leaders of the early democratic movements, such as Situ Hua and Li Zhuming, fought for many years, and there was no reason for this. Give up peaceful and rational means.
In fact, the localism and the movement that prioritize the pursuit of the interests of the people of Hong Kong are not inherently problematic, but their integration with "Hong Kong independence" has led to the pursuit of democratic elections and social and economic fairness and justice. Political appeal. The introduction of the "Hong Kong independence" element into the "local" is just a superfluous move. However, although the snake is not a dragon, it doesn't just solve the problem. In the end, it only ends up in a joke that the tiger is not an anti-dog. The passage of the "National Security Law of the Port Area" does not just mean that "Hong Kong independence" is just Nan Ke's dream. Not only is it a way out, but is it harmful? Returning to the original intention, the origin of the social movement is to improve people's livelihood. It is neither "valorous" nor "Hong Kong independence." Society should not continue to insist on identifying a "means" as a "goal", especially this "means" is a dead end that will never end. Young people should take a moment to think about the nature of social movements and stop letting ideological political discourses take their noses.
The National Security Act of the Minato District is very heavy, and its content is "spicy". It is likely to bring a certain degree of chilling effect to the social movement in Hong Kong. (Profile picture)
Re-establishing the local route in the post-national security law era
The National Security Act of the Minato District is very heavy, and its content is "spicy". It is likely to bring a certain degree of chilling effect to the social movement in Hong Kong. However, the adoption of the "National Security Act of the Hong Kong District" did not declare the death of the social movement. Hong Kong just took the opportunity to stop the social movement of "Hong Kong independence" and violent stragglers at full speed. Letting go of the reckless fantasies of illusions, Hong Kong social movements can set things right anyway, and truly achieve the original intention of improving society and people's livelihood.
In fact, the passage of the "National Security Act of the Hong Kong District" should never stop political activities on behalf of Hong Kong. As the election of the Legislative Council approaches, the campaign of political forces of different spectrums continues. From the campaign, it can be seen that there will be many young people who take localism as their political concept, including many district board members who were elected last year who intend to run for the next Legislative Council election. Among the political platforms proposed by them, there are many issues related to people's livelihood, including the housing problem that Hong Kong people are familiar with, how to support the economic difficulties caused by the lower class through the epidemic, and how to develop local industries and other long-term development ideas. These issues are all aimed at improving people's livelihood. It is precisely a specific issue that social movements and reforms should really care about. After "Hong Kong Independence" completely withdrew, localism and social movements were able to see the moon.
On July 4, a number of police officers went to the office of Citizen Shatin District Councillor Huang Wenxuan to investigate, saying that a "Recovering Hong Kong Times Revolution" banner was displayed in their office, and they may have the opportunity to violate the "Minato City National Security Law", warning if the office does not Removal of the flag may result in arrest. (Huang Wenxuan Facebook page picture)
Although there are many unrealistic political imaginations in these platforms, for example, when emphasizing local self-improvement and not relying too heavily on the mainland, they must equate it with "cutting with the mainland." The cutting of the dry port was originally an illusion. The introduction of the "National Security Act of the Minato City" is enough to alert everyone. However, in these political platforms, we can at least see the concern of the younger generation for social reform. Compared with those politicians who are indulging in political games and even asking foreign countries to sanction Hong Kong, it is self-evident which is the real way out for Hong Kong. It is understandable for young people to distinguish between true and false issues, and gradually adjust their political opinions. I hope they cherish their current position, especially hundreds of district board members who have embarked on the political road with the anti-amendment movement. , Can not only serve the public, but also learn from it, and have a profound understanding of social issues. If you still indulge in the imaginary political pursuit, I am afraid that you will only lose this opportunity, or even fall into prison.
The purpose of politics is always to improve people's livelihood, and the fundamental pursuit of democracy, fairness and justice is also to improve people's livelihood. The political concept of "people's livelihood" is separated from the ideological struggle. We hope that Hong Kong society can let go of its obsessions, stop wasting energy on unnecessary ideological struggles, and return to its original intention. Many young people joined the democratic movement, and finally went to the next step, not for an empty "ideology", but to actually improve their lives and pursue their dreams. After letting go of the burden of "Hong Kong independence," pragmatically promoting social reforms is exactly what Hong Kong needs today.
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