During his six-day inspection trip in Hong Kong, Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, sent some important messages and invaluable advice to Hong Kong.
The most important message to make headlines is the sincere reminder by Xia that the superficial calm and order brought about by the promulgation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong cannot hide the undercurrents of national security risks. These risks could cause destruction or pose serious security threats to society. We should not forget the “black-clad revolution” in 2019 and throw vigilance against national security threats out the window.
Xia emphasized the significance of the NSL to Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and painstakingly urged the special administrative region to focus on achieving new milestones in economic development in his keynote speech delivered on National Security Education Day on April 15. What he said seems perfectly enlightening and sensible to us because we should bring the focus back to the economy in order to get us back on a stronger footing for achieving a more balanced and better-quality economic development.
There is considerable force in Xia’s contention that Hong Kong should put aside politics and focus on economic development. Indeed, amid worsening geopolitics and plagued by its deep-seated problems, the city must focus its energy on economic development, promoting innovation and technology, and strengthening its status as an international financial center.
Xia’s comments on public protests are enlightening to boot. Hong Kong has earned the undesirable designation as the “capital of protest”. Xia poignantly pointed out that public protests are not the only way to express different groups’ appeals; worse, they could be exploited by people with ulterior motives.
Public demonstrations quite often are not an effective way to make a government respond favorably. In 2003, large-scale anti-war protests in the United States failed to prevent the US government from invading Iraq. It is worthy of note that former US president Barack Obama spoke out against the intended invasion in October 2002. Some of his supporters participated in the protests. The Occupy Wall Street movement saw marches in 600 communities and 70 major cities in the US, but economic inequality has gotten worse since then.
To complicate matters further, prolonged protests could result in violent confrontation and political instability. In Thailand, anti-government protests took place between November 2013 and May 2014. Eventually the prolonged protests resulted in the removal of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, a military coup and the establishment of a military junta.
Indeed, there are better ways for people to express their views than taking to the streets. Hong Kong people should consider using dialogue to express their grievances. As an alternative to protest, meaningful dialogue can help both the government and its people to find common ground. Chief Executive John Lee ka-chiu suggested that residents should email officials or lawmakers to express their views. Perhaps Hong Kong could consider adopting the Mayor’s Mailbox system, which is a popular mechanism to promote meaningful dialogue between government officials and residents in the Chinese mainland.
The bitter lesson from the 2019 riots tells us that the Police Force should be equipped with the power to impose reasonable conditions on processions to ensure that the events will not be hijacked by subversive forces.
During his landmark visit to the Legislative Council, Xia should be applauded for his enlightening comments on the quality of democracy. He noted that “one person, one vote” does not equate to high-quality democracy. His remarks have forced us to take a critical look at the inherent weaknesses and defects of Western-style democracy.
Xia made an unprecedented visit to Hong Kong’s top court. He also met representatives of the city’s two major lawyers’ groups. He reaffirmed the central government’s support for the practice of common law in Hong Kong. Not to be overlooked are the messages sent by Xia to local and foreign business chambers. He also reaffirmed the central government’s stance that “one country, two systems” will stay beyond 2047.
Very often, non-verbal communication is as important as verbal communication. Xia’s fact-finding trip has a demonstration effect to Hong Kong SAR officials, encouraging them to emulate that effective working formula. His emphasis on in-depth research and studies may set a benchmark for the local government. Engaging the public is not only the right way, but it is also the only way to deliver good governance.
Junius Ho is a Legislative Council member and a solicitor.
Kacee Ting Wong is a barrister, part-time researcher of Shenzhen University Hong Kong and Macao Basic Law Research Center, chairman of Chinese Dream Think Tank.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.