Opinion | China’s authorities can allay Hong Kong’s worst fears by addressing its frustrated democratic dreams

The night of July 21 will be remembered as the time law and order in Hong Kong broke down. The entire city watched on television as hooligans in white T-shirts attacked people in Yuen Long MTR station, especially targeting black-clad extradition-bill protesters.

A short while earlier, protesters had vandalised China’s national emblem and a plaque outside the liaison office building, where the central government’s top representative in Hong Kong sits. A masked protester announced the setting up of a “temporary legislative council”, alleging the breakdown of the city’s governance. Protesters sprayed slogans such as “liberate Hong Kong” and “revolution of our time” on the walls.

The day before, police discovered a cache of explosives. A person connected with a pro-Hong Kong independence group was among those arrested.

The night’s violence was condemned by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, who pledged that the offenders would be brought to justice. Nevertheless, Lam and her team had a tough time with the press.

The mayhem followed a series of massive public protests that made international headlines. They had an impact on Taiwan’s electoral dynamics and gave the European Union and the United States a convenient stick to beat China with.