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Opinion | Don’t cry for Hong Kong. Say sorry and fix our problems

  • The worst one can do is to raise an accusing finger. It is time for all sides to self-reflect, apologise, and fix our problems
  • Hong Kong needs a long-term vision to reform economic policies and balance the interests of all classes

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Hong Kong riot police officers fire tear gas during a protest in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong has experienced major social unrest before: in 1956, 1967 and now. But the current unrest is probably the worst, and people have suffered. Few could imagine a city that takes pride in being cool and resourceful becoming so fractured, socially and physically, and with so much negative emotion.

However, Hong Kong survived the unrest in the past and each time emerged stronger and more determined to reach new heights of shared prosperity and happiness. Do not cry over our beloved Hong Kong; it is up to us to exercise constructive dissatisfaction. Hong Kong can be better, and its people can make it so.

Thousands of protesters march in central Hong Kong on December 8, six months after the first protests began. Photo: AP
Thousands of protesters march in central Hong Kong on December 8, six months after the first protests began. Photo: AP

In life, the worst time is the best time for reconciliation and cooperation to rebuild. The worst one can do at this juncture is to raise an accusing finger. It is time to self-reflect. All politicians and civilian groups should ask themselves whether they have, individually or collectively, contributed to the mayhem due to their decisions and behaviour now or in the past, no matter how noble their original motivation might be.

The best thing to do is to take a step back and apologise for the situation. The word sorry can go a long way. Chief Executive Carrie Lam and the Chair of the Legislative Council Andrew Leung should appear together with leaders of the Pan-Democracy and Pan-development groups to publicly apologise. The Police Commissioner should also say sorry for possibly aggressive behaviour. The protesters (and some are rioters) should send a representative to apologise to the people of Hong Kong and the police for the damage they have caused. That would be a major step toward long term healing and redevelopment efforts. Please take no stance on nativism; we are all for Hong Kong, our home.

We should believe in ourselves: Hong Kong people can fix Hong Kong’s problems. We can become a shining example to the world about what an intelligent community with a coherent spirit can do – be our own rational master which chooses to do the right thing. The world will applaud.

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