The true record is a memory of history.
The extradition bill introduced by the Hong Kong SAR government suddenly triggered large-scale turmoil. More than half a year later, people still wonder how a lawful and civilized Hong Kong turned into a monstrous place overnight.
In February 2018, Hong Kongese Chan Tong-kai fled to Hong Kong after killing his Hong Kongese girlfriend in Taiwan. Hong Kong could not send the suspect to Taiwan for trial without an extradition agreement. The SAR government began amending an extradition bill in early 2019 to plug legal loopholes and to repair Hong Kong’s image as an “offenders’ haven.” Unexpectedly, this bill was demonized as a conspiracy and large-scale protests broke out on June 9th and June 12th, which spurred the long-planned “Color Revolution.”
Masked rioters besieged the Legislative Council Building on July 1st. They used tool carts and iron rods to violently break the shatterproof glass door and pieces of glass scattered everywhere. Suddenly, law and order were replaced by destruction and violence and darkness filled the city. It was as if zombies had attacked Hong Kong and became madly bloodthirsty.
As violence escalated, so did public tolerance for it. Rioters used bricks, bats, sharpened iron poles, pinball guns, acid, before moving on to petrol bombs, incendiary devices, bows and arrows, trebuchets, and even guns and ammunition. Black masks, hiding faces, also blinded consciences.
Initially, rioters targeted buildings and police stations, but they soon moved on to businesses and essential living facilities, then turned on tourists, citizens, and police officers. A large number of young people abandoned their studies and work and became a driving force behind the riots. As hostility and hatred prevailed, vicious language was used to attack the police and their families. Universities became places of violence, research labs became arsenals, and swimming pools became weapons testing grounds.
The pursuit of “democracy and freedom” is a beautiful ideal, but when misused it becomes a fallacy, and civilization returns to barbarism.
Hong Kong had changed into a strange place where people destroyed homes and buildings, citizens were attacked by vigilantes, buildings were destroyed, and laws were trampled underfoot. It was as if human nature had gone awry, and civilization was crying.
As a result of the riots, many families fell apart and colleagues, neighbors, friends turned against each other. Anger, heartache, depression, sadness, despair, and helplessness were felt everywhere
Poisonous rumors spread faster than a lethal virus: 7.21: Police and Mafia Collusion, 8.31: Prince Station killing, Chan Yin-lam “Suicidal”, San Uk Ling Rape Case, Plain-clothed Police Officers Setup and so on.
In the wake of the rumors and widespread destruction, a world-class police force was demonized as “violent.” Such injustice!
Lies fly through the city conflating fact and rumor. Ugliness becomes beautiful. Hong Kong seems confused.
An American politician described the protests as “a beautiful sight to behold” and the rioters were celebrated in the Western news media. Blonde, blue-eyed people served as commanders of the riots. Sharp-point umbrellas, masks, petroleum, guns and other weapons arrived from overseas. An invisible hand was in control.
In fact, early on, Jimmy Lai Chee-Ying wanted to “fight for the United States”, Joshua Wong Chi-fung claimed that Hong Kong was at “the forefront of the Sino-US war,” Alan Leong Kah-kit noted that “violence is sometimes a way to solve problems,” and Audrey Eu Yuet-mee observed that we are living “in times of disorder.” When the United States sees Hong Kong as a means to thwart China’s development and passes the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, the opposition were gratefully waving U.S. flags in the air— all mysteries solved. Hong Kong is doomed.
The two bronze lions in front of HSBC endured Japanese invaders and escaped the fate of being melted down, but they had to withstand the violence of rioters dressed in black and were scarred with burning paint.
The statued lions had to suffer, and so did our people! But true heroes appear in turbulent times and many people refused to join the criminal forces.
Countless citizens stood up and said “no” to violence. They rebuked the atrocities and spontaneously cleared roadblocks and propaganda materials that promoted violence. Even when swarmed by rioters and bloodily beaten, when their lives were threatened and bodies set on fire, they shouted “I am Chinese!”
The 30,000 police officers who used their bodies to build a wall between citizens and rioters, to protect citizens’ lives and properties, deserve praise. The siege of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) became a turning point for stopping the violence.
Even though the riots lasted for eight months, the “Color Revolution” failed because Hong Kong is not Ukraine, and backing Hong Kong is an increasingly powerful China with 1.4 billion people.
Although the violence abated, it could erupt again at any time with the proper conditions. Painful reflection is required to locate the root cause of the violence and to make Hong Kong shine again.
For this reason, we aim to record the turmoil truthfully. In ancient China, Taishi Dong Hu insisted on accurately recording historical events even as he faced death, and Takung and Wen Wei colleagues risked their lives and used their words and cameras to record this dark moment in our history. The truth shall never be lost!
A City in Tears Editorial Committee
February 2020
Ruined by the violent storm, the Oriental Pearl shines no more. On June 9, 2019, a large “Anti-Extradition Bill” parade ended in a riot. Policemen outside of the Legislative Council building were under attack, beaten, and bleeding. This was just “first blood”! Demonstrating astonishing organization, the rioters unexpectedly appeared from all directions in Admiralty on June 12th. They ripped up roads for bricks and cut steel rails from street fences to throw at the police, whom they again caught off guard.
Riots? Yes! Well-planned events with propaganda materials, resources, and support protracted the riots!
7.1: Attacked Legislative Council, Smashing First, then Declaring “Independence”; 7.7: Parade toward West Kowloon Station, Tourists and Citizens Suffered; 7.21: Broke into the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government (LOCPG) Defiling the National Emblem; 8.13: Paralyzed Airport, Beat Tourists and Reporters; 8.31: Framing Police Officers as Killers. Indeed, all kinds of rumors and propaganda flooded in along with the violence.
Riots continued to spread and to escalate.
In September, students began to strike, and Central Government Offices were sieged. While cheering the U.S. Congress for passing the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, vigilants attacked citizens with different political views, smashed and burned local and foreign businesses, including Maxim’s Caterers (Meixin), BOC, and HSBC. In October, brutal attacks occurred before and after the Prohibition on Face Covering Regulation (PFCR), an antimask law, arsonists filled the streets, railway and road facilities were destroyed, and one set of traffic lights had to be repaired 17 times.
The call to end the riots increased as some politicians continued to advocate for violence. Anti-China forces worsened the situation, the “yellow media” conflated fact and rumor, schoolteachers brainwashed their students, some university presidents covered for the rioters. In November, rioters occupied CUHK and PolyU, which became rioters’ headquarters, and some professors taught resistance strategies including guerrilla warfare. The violence continued while we were writing...
During a ferocious November, a black-shirt masked man lit Uncle Lee of Ma On Shan on fire giving him fourth-degree burns requiring long-term care. Janitor Uncle Lau was hit by flying bricks and died the next day.
On the cusp of New Year’s Eve, the streets had been burning for more than half a year, and the Hong Kong people had just one wish: to stop the violence and get back to normal life.
A violent storm raged. Once one of the safest cities in the world is now a center of violence. Why?
I s this Hong Kong? Roads full of burned trash bins, trash strewn everywhere, and rioters in black like groups of cockroaches running rampant downtown; uneven roads without bricks, iron fences with bare poles, graffiti-filled walls, “pus” in tunnels...
This is Hong Kong after continuous riots for over six months: black marks on burnt streets, damaged screens on MTR gates, banks on fire and destroyed ATMs. Frequently targeted shops, like Maxim’s Caterers and Starbucks, protect themselves with thick walls. No need to rush to replace broken glass, since destruction comes faster than repair; traffic lights must be repeatedly repaired—some of them 17 times.
From June to December 2019, government records showed that a total of 740 sets of traffic lights were smashed. Yau Tsim Mong District was hardest hit with nearly half of them destroyed repeatedly. Twenty accidents were caused by “traffic light failures.” During the same period, at least 52,800 meters of railings were removed. Sha Tin District lost 8,900 meters while 21,800 square meters of road bricks were removed in Yau Tsim Mong District. These repairs cost $65 million HKD in tax money, in addition to other countless destructions of public and private buildings and facilities (e.g. the Legislative Council building & MTR and colleges and universities in November).
For over half a year, people didn’t need to consult almanacs to know violent storms awaited them: there was no peace from downtown Hong Kong Island to Kowloon and the New Territories 18 districts. Street violence persisted; destruction of shopping malls, banks, and restaurants continued; smearing and attacking the police became commonplace; and beating citizens were regular events. Every drop of blood and sweat of police officers and innocent citizens are tears for Hong Kong.
In the smoke and violence-filled city, exhausted people cried and asked: “Where is the peace? Where is our bustling and stable city? To defend Hong Kong’s democracy and freedom, did we have to lose our freedom of speech and freedom from violence?”
The city ravaged by violence again—Admiralty, Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Yau Tsim Mong reduced to a “battlefield.” Why?
After September 2014’s Occupy Central turned into Occupy Admiralty, Admiralty became a stronghold for rioters. The junctions between Admiralty MTR Station, Admiralty Centre, Harcourt Road, and Tim Mei Avenue, roads leading to the government headquarters and the Legislative Council, were often blocked by a large number of black-clad people.
Compared with the Occupy Central of five years ago, the recent riots were more militarized, systematic, and vicious. Leaders of violent factions and proindependence groups of ten directed their activities around Admiralty Centre. They used mobile phones to send commands and to communicate with each other. Supplies were carried to designated locations in local vehicles.
Hong Kong Island Riot
Rioters Attacking Police with Petrol Bombs
A group of people in black occupied Tim Mei Avenue then divided up to occupy Harcourt Road and Lung Wo Road. They came prepared with helmets, masks, gloves, and sharp-pointed umbrellas.
The busy Admiralty roads were heavily occupied, and rioters threw petrol bombs at the police.
By the bus terminal in Admiralty, a group of black shirts set fire and threw ghost money.
On August 5, 2019, in the name of the assembly of seven districts, a violent attack was launched. At about 3pm, rioters removed the road barriers and occupied traffic lanes. Admiralty towards Central and Wan Chai was paralyzed.
On August 31, 2019, the police launched water cannons with blue dye for the first time to identify suspects for future investigation.
Hong Kong Island Riot
Water Cannons Shooti
Colored Water to Disperse Rioters
Black shirt rioters appeared in various districts almost every weekend, confronting the police with guerrilla warfare tactics. They used insulated gloves, homemade shields, and rackets to return tear gas canisters.
When you set fire to the streets and use your fists for violence, do you think you can avoid punishment by hiding under a mask?
Central and Admiralty’s fate was tied together. Rioters often flocked between these two areas. In midNovember 2019, the perpetrators launched the online “Lunch with You” flash blockage that incited office workers to obstruct major roads and shopping malls during lunchtime. Central, Wong Chuk Hang, Taikoo Place, Kowloon Bay, Kwun Tong and Cheung Sha Wan experienced “crazy waves” of traffic jams. Protestors occupied many busy places inc luding Pedder Street, Des Voeux Road to Landmark Atrium, International Finance Centre, etc... They either paralyzed traffic or chanted slogans in the atrium of the shopping malls to disturb shoppers.
Strike Central
Reprimanded By 7 Million Citizens
for Destroying Work
Starting from the “occupy disasters,” the violent destruction and heavy blockades of iron became familiar scenes for Hong Kong citizens.
Rioters called for “Lunch with You” to instigate office workers to flash block roads during lunch time. They squatted on roads with umbrellas to jam traffic.
On the afternoon of November 11th, black shirt rioters occupied Connaught Road in Central and filled it with iron barriers, luggage trolleys, and burning debris.
Water-filled barriers were removed and pushed onto roadways in rows by rioters, blocking many major thoroughfares.
A large number of black shirts gathered on Connaught Road, but they quickly escaped—as if in an organized guerrilla war—when police released tear gas to disperse the crowds.
At noon on November 13th, a large number of troublemakers assembled illegally at Des Voeux Road in Central, blocking traffic with looted bricks.
After many months of “street fighting”, rioters blocked roads strategically. One trick was to arrange iron barriers in a triangle and tie them together.
Rioters spurred violent attacks in the guise of a parade. On July 21, 2019, after the parade organized by the Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF), rioters occupied Admiralty and Central and surrounded the Hong Kong Liaison Office building and threw eggs, glass bottles, bricks, and paint bombs on the building, stained the national emblem with black paint, shouted to form their own temporary legislative council, smeared security cameras, opened the rear gate of the building near Des Voeux Road West, and wrote words insulting the nation on the doors and outer walls of the building. When police came to clear the scene at night, rioters threw burning items, an unidentified powder, and glass bottles, and they snatched the policeman’s shield and set fire to the road. The West District Police Station was also besieged by rioters and glass was broken.
On July 21st, after the afternoon CHRF parade, a large number of rioters seized Admiralty and Central and attempted to encircle the Liaison Office building. They came with iron rods and homemade shields.
Black clad rioters formed an “umbrella array” to block police tear gas.
People dressed in black blocked roads with sets of iron barriers to bolster their defensive line.
Rioters threw paintballs at the Liaison Office building to defile the National emblem and painted words insulting the nation on the gate.
Rioters set road fires around Sheung Wan and threw combustibles onto those fires to obstruct the police.
On the evening of July 21st, a large group of people moved towards Central and Sheung Wan, blocking traffic. Some vehicles turned around, but many taxis and buses got stuck in the traffic.
The Liaison Office changed the National emblem immediately. National dignity cannot be insulted!
Rioters gathered by Western Market on Connaught Road West occupied multiple lanes and skybridges and directed laser pointers at police officers.
People dressed in black formed an “Iron Horse Array” with pallets stacked across multiple traffic lanes.
Causeway Bay has many large shopping malls, which became battlefields for rioters who caused countless financial losses. On August 31, 2019, rioters violently attacked Hong Kong Island and Kowloon and marched from Wan Chai to Causeway Bay. At 8:00 pm, rioters threw incendiary bombs and bricks at police. Police returned fire with tear gas and water cannons. Later, rioters set fire to barricades in an attempt to obstruct police advancement. Some rioters retreated to Victoria Park and set up roadblocks on the Tin Hau section of King’s Road. The police pushed towards Victoria Park and arrested several rioters. A group of rioters attacked plain clothed police officers and threatened their lives, and an officer was forced to fire two warning shots into the air.
Hong Kong Island Riot
Victoria Park with Suspected Gunmen
Rioters set paper and trash cans on fire outside of the SOGO Department Store.
When confronting the police, rioters used military formations. The frontline used sharp-pointed umbrellas and homemade shields to block tear gas canisters, while the others stood behind them.
On August 31, rioters continued to cause trouble in all districts. Under the Canal Road Flyover, the police cleared the fires to allow water cannon vehicles to pass by.
Without a parade permit, CHRF launched a Freedom March in Hong Kong Island on August 31st with many black shirts and changed the original location from Central District Chater Garden to Sai Wan.
Rioters’ vandalism forced shops to close early during the golden holiday weekend.
A “riot fire” burned day and night in town. Shops closed and traffic was paralyzed.
Cold-blooded rioters threw incendiary bombs at the police leaving a “fire dragon” on the ground.
Refused a parade permit by police, CHRF launched a Freedom March in Hong Kong Island on August 31, 2019 and changed the original location from Central District Chater Garden to Sai Wan. Black shirt marchers went to Admiralty, Wan Chai, and Causeway Bay in groups. Outside Wan Chai Police Headquarters, under the skybridge opposite Hennessy Road Wesley, rioters set fire to barricades and flammable goods. Gasoline, turpentine, compressed gas tanks were added to make the fire 2 to 3 stories high. The air was filled with the pungent smell of plastic glue and black smoke and at least five explosions were heard.
Rioters burned plastic water-filled barriers, railings, and so forth near police headquarters. Hennessy Road was filled with the pungent smell of plastic glue and black smoke and at least five explosions were heard.
Rioters confronted police in a tight “umbrella formation,” and the police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Rioters set fire to barricades, top last icwater - filled barriers, to stands from nearby stadiums, as well as to cylindrical flammable goods.
8.31 Illegal Parades Tiring of roadblocks Some citizens cleared roadblocks but were violently confronted.
Rioters burned road barricades and added gasoline, turpentine, and compressed gas tanks to fuel the fires.
Violence escalated weekly in various districts harming Hong Kong society
Organized rioters wore insulated gloves to pick up tear gas canisters and threw them at police.
On November 11, 2019, perpetrators incited by online messages blocked roads to prevent people from returning to work. Hong Kong Island traffic police patrolled the Eastern Corridor to Shau Kei Wan Road and Tai Wo Street. They found 10 to 20 masked individuals blocking roads with debris. A sergeant tried to remove the obstacles, but five to six masked people shouted: “Don’t let him go.” At least one of them held an iron rod. The sergeant drew his gun, and when a masked man in a white coat approached, the officer tried to arrest him but the perpetrator resisted arrest. Another rioter in black tried to grab the officer’s gun. The sergeant was forced to shoot to protect himself and others and hit the man in the stomach. The man in white attacked the police officer again, while a man dressed in grey grabbed the officer’s neck from behind. The sergeant fired two more shots but did not hit anyone.
Sai Wan Ho
The police were attacked as they prevented rioters from grabbing their guns.Police Forced to Shoot.
Masked rioters set debris on fire at the entrance of Tai On Street, on Shau Kei Wan Road, and black smoke filled the residential area.
Rioters threw bricks in the Sai Wan Ho MTR station escalator and destroyed Exit B facilities. Sai Wan Ho station was forced to suspend service.
Rioters hidden behind masks dare not show their faces.
Black-clad rioters gathered illegally in Sai Wan Ho placed a large number of Styrofoam boxes at the intersection and interrupted traffic.
A “Dark Night in Mong Kok” took place almost every weekend after June 2019. Black shirts often raided Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, and Jordan and destroyed traffic lights, removed iron barriers, blocked roads with debris, set fires, and smashed and robbed Chinese stores. Terrified merchants closed the usually bustling Tong Choi Street (known as “Ladies Street”), and nearby shops closed before noon. The normally packed Mong Kok Market suddenly became a “dead zone.” Business fell by 70 percent, surpassing the slowdown during the 2003 SARS epidemic. Shops that had been in business for 30 years or more suddenly couldn’t pay rent. Many people worried about business in the city entering a “glacial period.”
On October 20, rioters gathered on Argyle Street in Mong Kok and threw bricks at police.
Nathan Road was repeatedly occupied by black shirts, and Kowloon traffic was nearly paralyzed.
After a “fire attack” on Jordan Road, rioters hid behind the “umbrella formation” and continued marching forward.
In the name of commemorating HKUST student Chow Tsz Lok, over a hundred rioters gathered in Yau Tsim Mong and launched “brick rain” at the police on November 8th.
Rioters collected bricks to use as weapons. Broken bricks outside of Langham Place.
At 9pm on September 22, rioters gathered outside the Mong Kok Police Station at Prince’s Station, demolished railings and set trash cans and paper debris on fire to block Prince Edward Road West and Nathan Road.
On October 20, 2019, the police rejected a parade permit for Tsim Sha Tsui, so CHRF incited people to take to the streets. Over a thousand masked black shirts gathered at Salisbury Park at noon, and the illegal march ended at the West Kowloon High Speed Rail Station. Rioters blocked the road and targeted police stations and police officers. Around 3pm, rioters surrounded the Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station and urinated outside the gate. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowds, but one rioter skillfully put the canisters into waterproof bags. Some rioters turned up at the police station near the main entrance of Nathan Road, threw gasoline bombs, and set at least two fires. In the evening, a number of cardboard suitcases were found on Nathan Road, Mong Kok, marked with the words “Explosive!” and “Don’t Touch!” to create bomb scares.
Rioters in black gathered on Park Lane Shopping Boulevard. A rioter picked up tear gas canisters and threw them at police.
A rioter launched a tear gas canister at police with a tennis racket and was praised by some in the media as a hero. All types of rackets subsequently showed up at riot scenes.
Rioters set fire to the skybridge and endangered innocent citizens.
Rioters repeatedly attacked Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station and pictures show rioters throwing gasoline bombs.
Increasingly crazy rioters ignite gas bombs and throw them into crowded places.
Cruel rioters set the city ablaze wherever they went, and the bus stop opposite St. Andrew’s Church on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui was burned down.
Despite the rejection of a parade permit in Tsim Sha Tsui by police, rioters in black took to the streets on October 20th.
Rioters assembled illegally in Sham Shui Po on August 11, 2019. Hundreds gathered at Maple Street Playground and seized westbound Cheung Sha Wan Road. The police warned them of an “unauthorized assembly,” but nobody listened. Rioters divided into two divisions: one group set up roadblocks at the Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, while the other group surrounded Sham Shui Po Police Station. The police began to use tear gas to disperse rioters around 5pm. Rioters threw petrol bombs at the police while retreating through Changsha Bay Road. Some attacked the Cheung Sha Wan Police Station, while others moved to the Sham Shui Po MTR station and Tsim Sha Tsui and continued the destruction.
Taxi drivers in Sham Shui Po were bloodily beaten. Damaged Vehicles.
Rioters had a clear division of labor. Some were responsible for bringing iron shears, pliers, and other tools to dismantle fences, and to make iron horse defense lines, as attack teams confronted police and threw petrol bombs.
Rioters launched a serial October 1st terrorist attack in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories. The Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices were set on fire and windows and outer walls were destroyed.
Young man, do you know you are being pushed into the abyss by politicians?
Violent clashes happened continuously. The whole society was divided. From “police attack citizens”, to “police beat people to death in Prince Edward station”, the rioters in black promoted hatred towards the police, created conflicts between the policemen who tried to maintain the law and order and the society, and spread terror. Rumors were created instantly, but it takes a long time for us to find the truth. Before this happens, the society is going to pay a huge toll. If lying and blaming are the tricks of “color revolution”, are we still going to believe these lies?
Rumor: A 15-year-old Chan Yin-lam was murdered by the police? Fact: Mother of Chan: my daughter committed suicide. The rioters do whatever it takes in order to achieve their political goals. They made a big deal on the deal of 15-year-old Chan Yin-lam, who was a VTC student. Rumors were spread to discredit the police. In an interview, Ms. Ho, Chan’s mother, firmly believed that her daughter committed suicide and that Chan might have suffered from psychological disorders. Ms. Ho wanted her daughter to rest in peace, hoping that the mobs “stop talking about whatever you think is right for you”.
Rumor: Police beat people to death on August 31?
Fact: HA confirms no deaths.
When the incident happened, ambulancemen were sent to the station to take care of the injured, and the police also provided first aid. Since a large number of mobs gathered inside and outside Prince Edward Station at that time, the police assessed that Prince Edward Station was unsafe and that the mobs might try to run away. A special MTR train was dispatched to take the 7 injured to a hospital in Lai Chi Kok. The HA also confirmed that there were no deaths.
Rumor: An online list showed the police killed 16 people.
Fact: all false.
The rioters repeatedly spread the rumors of “8.31 people died in Prince Edward station”. There was even a list of names and addresses who presumably to be dead online, signed by “a group of silent police”. Among the names, 7 were from “8.31” and 9 were from “Sang Uk Lang”. Reporters from Ta Kung Pao went to verify address by address and found that none were true. The so-called “addresses” listed in the document were mostly located in Tin Shui Wai. The whole list had 4 “Wai Ming” with different surnames, and three of them were 18 years old. The reporters confirmed that 6 of them were fake addresses, and the remaining 12 addresses, even if they existed, no one died at all.
Rumor: The police violently treated the arrested at the Sang Uk Lang Detention Center. A female was sexually assaulted?
Fact: Ng Ngo Suet changed her statements constantly
CUHK female student Ng publicly accused the police officer of “sexual assault” during her arrest on October 10, 2019. But one day later, when she was interviewed on October 11, Ng changed her statement, saying that she was assaulted in the chest by a male police officer at Kwai Chung Police Station and “people who were arrested on 8.31 aren’t being treated so bad in Sang Uk Lang”. However, she insisted that others who were arrested were sexually assaulted and abused in Sang Uk Lang. The unmatched statements raised some doubts. The police said that the CAPO took the initiative to investigate the incident and kept the CCTV records. They called on Ng to contact the police to make a statement.
Fake news and rumors are important pieces of “propaganda” in the eyes of the rioters in black , to cause chaos and violence. On August 11, 2019, a woman in black, equipped with protective gears, was hit by an unknown object during the riot outside the Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station. The opposition camp quickly discredited the police, claiming that the injury caused by bean bag rounds fired by police, and the “yellow camp media” had been broadcasting the news for days.
On August 31, the mobs attacked the citizens on the MTR train. The police “Raptors Squad” received the report and arrested a number of mobs on the platform of Prince Edward Station. The rioters released rumors that night, discredited the police killing civilians, and set up a “memorial hall” outside the Prince Edward station to gather a group of “actors” to mourn the “dead”. When asked “where is the dead”, the mobs claimed that the family, relatives, friends, classmates, etc. of the deceased were killed, leaving no evidences to trace. What is even more ridiculous is that Civic Party Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu, Democratic Party Andrew Wan Siu-kin, Neighbourhood and Worker’s Service Centre Leung Yiu-chung, etc. claimed in the Legislative Council that people were killed at Prince Edward Station, arbitrarily accusing the police. As of December 6, some media showed conclusive evidences that “the six people at Prince Edward Station are all alive”. Rumors vanished, and rumormakers were plotting the next wave of chaos in Hong Kong.
On September 22, Chan Yin-lam, a girl who was a student of the Youth College of the Vocational Training Council, was found dead in the sea around Yau Tong. The rioters immediately claimed that Chan was killed, accusing the police. They claimed that the police killed her and dumped her body in the sea. After investigation, the police confirmed that the cause of death was not suspicious. The sad mother of Chan also publicly stated that her daughter committed suicide and requested to stop rumors. However, the Hong Kong rioters still used this incident to wreak havoc on the campus, launch riots, and maliciously attack Chan’s mother. The opposition camp also bring white flowers in the Legislative Council to mourn in silence. These shameless mobs did this to benefit themselves from harming Hong Kong’s reputation
There are way more than three cases of lie during months of riots. “Fact Check” has become an online buzzword. If every citizen seeks the truth, a lie is even told a thousand times or 10,000 times, it will not become the truth!
Since the Occupy Central happened five years ago, the society split into yellow camp and blue camp. Five years ago, several blue camp friends gathered and talked: Occupy Central exposed the problems in education, judiciary and media system. The problems spread all walks of life, such as teachers, schoolmasters, lawyers, judges, socialworkers, pastors, reporters, company executives, government officials, medical workers and so on. It turned out that Hong Kong is prosperous superficially but rotten internally. Five years have passed.
The violent storm was a hundred times more serious than Occupy Central. The society split again, and conflict between blue and yellow escalates.Many families fell apart and colleagues, neighbors, friends turned against each other.
Then the blue camp friends concluded that the school is so poor, the government is so poor, the administration of justice is so poor, the church is so poor, and the media is so poor…
We have drawn this conclusion five years ago. However, no action was taken at that time. Then, five years later, social unrest reappeared, but got worse. If we go back to live life as usual after complaining and analyzing the problems, the government will assumes the dark terror has gone then five years later, maybe even less , another round of riots will take place.
Look at the young people who attacked the police and smashed shops. They were just primary school students five years ago. If the entire society identified social problems and took actions after Occupy Central five years ago, these young people may not have become rioters today. Five years is enough for the opposition yellow camp teachers to brainwash the young generation. The opposition camp is very efficient at speaking while taking actions, and fixing errors immediately. Therefore, they have won battle after battle.
The pro-establishment camp is just the opposite. They do a lot on meeting discussion and accomplish reports; as to take actions, they have many concerns to take a step forward. As to the government, it takes “the less you do, the less mistakes you could make” to play safe.
It has been five years since the Occupy Central. Hong Kong can’t afford another five years of unrest. Please take action! It is time for the those in power to start social reform by documenting what happened. Voices from both sides should be heard. Thirty years later, when people look back, they have the right to know the true story about a city in tears throughout the turmoil.
Look at the young people who attacked the police and smashed shops. They were just primary school students five years ago. If the entire society identified social problems and took actions after Occupy Central five years ago, these young people may not have become rioters today. Five years is enough for the opposition yellow camp teachers to brainwash the young generation. The opposition camp is very efficient at speaking while taking actions, and fixing errors immediately. Therefore, they have won battle after battle.
February 2020
By Chris Wat Wing-yin
At a time to bid farewell to the old and usher in the new, looking back over the past year, I believe we all have many unforgettable memories and heartfelt feelings.
In the past year, the People’s Republic of China celebrated its 70th founding anniversary. The Chinese nation has achieved a tremendous transformation: it has stood up, grown rich, and is becoming stronger. Last year, China’s GDP is expected to reach nearly 100 trillion yuan RMB with a per capita figure of over 10,000 U.S. dollars. More than 10 million people have been lifted out of poverty, our people’s lives are getting better and better.
In the past year, the country’s first domestically-developed aircraft carrier was commissioned; our lunar probe Chang’e-4, for the first time in human history, landed on the far side of the moon, our national strength is growing The number of countries that have established diplomatic ties with China increased to 180, and the number of countries and international organizations that have joined the Belt and Road Initiative has exceeded 160, we have more and more friends. All the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation are truly embracing the brilliant prospects of rejuvenation.
It is gratifying that during the inspirational great journey of the past 70 years, Hong Kong was never absent. Hong Kong people in all social circles have made unique and important contributions to China’s reform, opening-up and modernization construction, which have been deeply remembered by history. During the 23 years since its return and with the strong backing of the motherland, Hong Kong people have successfully tackled all sorts of risks and challenges, written a brilliant Hong Kong chapter of common development and prosperity together with the mainland, and shared both the historic responsibility of national rejuvenation and the pride of a strong and prosperous China.
In the past year, Hong Kong stood through an ordeal. Since last June, prolonged social unrest triggered by a fugitive offenders legislation bill has pulled the heartstrings of people across the country. President Xi Jinping met with Chief Executive Carrie Lam on three occasions within one and a half months at the end of last year, stated the Chinese government’s firm position to the international society in Brazil thousands of miles away, expressed his hope that all circles of the Hong Kong society can “jointly get things done in Hong Kong.”
Chief Executive Carrie Lam has demonstrated extraordinary courage at this difficult time by leading her administration and the Hong Kong police force to conduct their duties, end violence as well as restore social order. Represented by everyone present, the compatriots loving the country and Hong Kong have made joint efforts to “safeguard the rule of law and oppose violence," showcasing the power of justice of the Hong Kong society.
Today, Hong Kong has yet completely come out from its predicament. However, if we look at the picture from a longer historical perspective, transforming from a fishing village to a world-renowned modern metropolis, Hong Kong’s development has never been free of difficulties and challenges. As an unprecedented pioneering initiative, the practice of “One Country, Two Systems” will inevitably encounter all kinds of new circumstances and new challenges. We should see clearly the trend of history and stay firm in our faith, and believe that no force can stop the cause of “One Country, Two Systems” in Hong Kong from marching forward.
Distinguished guests and friends!
How could Hong Kong restart in the new year? President Xi Jinping stressed during his inspection of Macao that “harmony in a family makes everything successful.” Mentioning Hong Kong in his new year speech, President Xi also said that “without a harmonious and stable environment, how can there be a home where people can live and work happily!” Given the current situation in Hong Kong, I want to say that ending violence and chaos and restoring social order still remain the most pressing task for Hong Kong. I also want to say that treasuring Hong Kong, our home, is a shared view, expectation and responsibility of all who truly care for and cherish Hong Kong.
Let’s cherish our home Hong Kong and make best use of “One Country, Two Systems.” Mr. Deng Xiaoping initiated the scheme of “One Country, Two Systems” with the aim to keep Hong Kong’s characteristics and advantages, and maintain the region’s lasting prosperity and stability, under the precondition of China’s resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. The “One Country, Two Systems” was highlighted at the fourth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) as one of the 13 aspects of the notable strength of our country's governance systems, which displays the central government’s unswerving confidence and determination in the implementation of “One Country, Two Systems.” Practice shows that if the principle of “One Country, Two Systems” is well implemented, Hong Kong will gain development opportunities and room for growth. On the contrary, should it stray from this principle, Hong Kong will be marred by conflict and chaos, undermining the common, basic and long-term interests of the majority of Hong Kong people. Despite our differences in political views, all should agree that recognizing the “One Country” and cherishing the “Two Systems” will be key to securing Hong Kong people's livelihood as well as the region's future. We believe that the foundation of one country will be strengthened and the two systems will be made good use of. Hong Kong will usher in a new chapter of “when Hong Kong is good, so is the country; when the country is good, Hong Kong will be better.”
Let’s cherish our home Hong Kong and uphold the core values of the rule of law and civilized society. “Harmony brings good fortune, while discord leads to misfortune.” Hong Kong is an affluent society, but it cannot afford to be torn apart by reckless moves. The social unrest, which began last year, has brought the Hong Kong economy into a recession, severely affecting Hong Kong residents’ lives. Hong Kong is a diversified society in which it comes as no surprise that there are different views and even significant disagreements on some specific issues. No extreme move shall be resorted to, let alone violence. No issues among family members, no matter how serious they are, cannot be solved if consultations and discussions are conducted. Overstepping the bottom line of the rule of law as well as the civilized society will only lead to disastrous damage to the society. Hong Kong compatriots enjoy the fine tradition of respecting the rule of law. We believe that Hong Kong, our home, will continue to make us be proud so long as people who love the country and Hong Kong work in unity, 180,000 civil servants fulfill their responsibilities, all sectors of the society make joint efforts to firmly uphold the core values of the rule of law and resolutely support the SAR government in its effective administration in accordance with the law.
Let’s cherish our home Hong Kong and realize the aspiration of prosperity and development. President Xi Jinping said during his inspection of Hong Kong in 2017, “We should ensure the success of development on the mainland which practices the socialist system. We should also ensure the success of development in Hong Kong which practices the capitalist system.” Nobody has better wishes for Hong Kong than the motherland. The central government’s important decisions on the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and encouraging Hong Kong to take part in the Belt and Road Initiative are aimed at helping Hong Kong break development bottlenecks, consolidate and expand Hong Kong’s own advantages in a bid to provide Hong Kong people, especially the youth, with opportunities for development and room for growth. The Hong Kong youth are sons and daughters of the big family of the Chinese nation. They are also the major force of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation as well as Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability. It is sincerely hoped that the Hong Kong youth foster the sense of national identity, love for Hong Kong and international perspective, and gain control of their own future by taking part in the development of the nation and advancing the development of Hong Kong. With the support of the motherland and the vision of facing the world, Hong Hong will surely create miracles if it can walk out of the political chaos and make breakthroughs in development as early as possible.
Distinguished guests and friends!
Since I arrived in Hong Kong to take office 12 days ago, as a member of this family, I have already felt warmth and hospitality at home. Looking back on the past, Hong Kong people with different languages, religions and customs gathered under the Lion Rock, with the spirit of “putting aside differences to strive for a common goal.” They have joined hands to work for their common home and achieved the legend of Hong Kong. Although the situation of Hong Kong is not yet stabilized, we are confident that our home Hong Kong will return to normal with the Lion Rock spirit, with Hong Kong’s advantages and the support of the motherland.
In the new year, the Liaison Office will fulfill its duty with sincerity and affection, and work with all Hong Kong compatriots to build a brighter future of Hong Kong.
Best wishes to Hong Kong and the Hong Kong compatriots!
Thank you!
Luo Huining
January 15, 2020
