THERE is trouble in Hong Kong. Though we have problems of our own, we need to be concerned about the worsening situation in the City of Life, as the Hong Kong Tourist Association once described the Special Administrative Region. It is claimed that Filipinos, numbering 130,000, compose the largest ethnic minority in Hong Kong, mostly employed as foreign domestic helpers. They send remittances to their families that in turn help the Philippine economy. Hong Kong also happens to be one of the favorite destinations of Filipinos among countries in Asia.
What started out as peaceful protests against the shelved extradition bill has turned into weekend battles between demonstrators and the police. The encounters have become violent causing injuries, damage to properties, and arrests. There is finger-pointing on who is to blame: a small band of violent-prone radicals or the uncompromising police?
According to Willy Lam, an adjunct professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, “Members of the silent majority don’t support the extradition bill, but nonetheless they want life to return to normal.” That silent majority should include most of the Filipinos in Hong Kong whose primary interest is to earn a decent salary for their families back home.
There is actually no more reason for the protests as the bill that ignited it has been frozen. Yet they continue. There are those who demand the resignation of Chief Executive Carrie Lam who is unmoved by the protests. Others seek an end to police brutality. And a few seek democracy and separation from mainland China.
The first two can certainly be addressed in a civil manner, while the last one (democracy and sovereignty) is without question untenable, as far as the powers in Beijing are concerned. That China has remained restrained demonstrates the resolve of the communist rulers to keep its hands-off policy on the territory, but for how long?
China through its Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office issued a stern warning: “We would like to make it clear to the very small group of unscrupulous and violent criminals and the dirty forces behind them--those who play with fire will perish by it... Don’t ever misjudge the situation and mistake our restraint for weakness.” As the statement was made, Chinese paramilitary police officers joined in a drill in Shenzhen in China’s southern Guangdong province on Aug. 6.
If the intent of some of the protestors is for a bloody confrontation to create support from the leaders of democratic nations, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, that may be a long shot. Hong Kong is China. It is doubtful, any nation will want to question that. It is time to get real.