The disbandment of the Civil Human Rights Front has finally cleared room for real democratic development in Hong Kong. The CHRF’s existence has always been so-called, unifying all democratic parties in organizing anti-government movement in the city, but sorry to say, the anti-government movement is not the equivalent of democratic progression. The CHRF has hijacked the moral high ground of fighting for civil human rights and used democracy as a shield for its reckless, irresponsible behavior. It has been glorifying illegal means and acts, encouraging radical violence, grooming hatred and cultivating extremists in our beloved home. It is time for Hong Kong to expand our imagination of a democratic society and to reflect what ends true democracy should get us to — progress to make our citizens’ lives better, to lift the poor, to provide upward mobility to our next generations. Violence does not achieve any of these; only bright minds with the right hearts can do that.
The author is executive vice-chairman and secretary-general of the Hong Kong CPPCC Youth Association and chairman of the Youth Council. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.