- Western powers work hard to discredit anyone who doesn’t opt for their self-proclaimed “true” democratic system
- With powerful forces arranged against us, the new Chief Executive will have to be strong and resolute
- Slander is inevitable so courage and sharp critical thinking skills will be a must
THE ELECTION OF THE NEXT Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR is scheduled to take place on the 8th of May this year. However, it is unlike any other election. The global political climate has evolved to such a state that the western world, spearheaded by the United States, has become increasingly hostile towards China.
The US has hoped to keep China in check through the strengthening and expansion of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, which consists of the US, Japan, Australia and India, a move that would essentially mean creating an Asian version of NATO.
THEY CRITICIZE OUR SYSTEMS
In the past, the US and the UK have issued reports on the eve of Hong Kong’s Chief Executive election. From a glance, the purpose of publishing those reports was simply to attack Hong Kong’s new electoral system.
However, it can be interpreted that these reports carry a deeper and implied intention of creating a mental hypnosis and guidance in which, by fundamentally disapproving of Hong Kong’s new electoral system, they are ultimately able to discredit China’s existing set of democratic systems.
Through this method of inquisition, such attacks from the US and Britain attempt to expel China’s and Hong Kong’s democratic systems from their self-proclaimed “true” democratic system.
“The US and Britain aim to undermine, if not negate completely, China’s authority on a global scale”
This guides viewers into labelling China as undemocratic and regressive. Ultimately the US and Britain aim to undermine, if not negate completely, China’s authority on a global scale.
MOVING ON FROM STREET VIOLENCE
As far as the attacks on Hong Kong’s electoral system are concerned, it is possible the US and Britain has exerted an influence. There has been speculation they supported the street violence in Hong Kong behind the scenes three years ago. Hong Kong has since put in place the National Security Law, which suggests nothing will be achieved through street violence.
As a result, the US and Britain have diverted their attention to criticizing Hong Kong’s electoral system instead, hoping that it would serve to hinder the city from another angle, in the hope of inhibiting China’s development.
The US and the UK completely oppose Hong Kong’s new electoral system to its core.
BRITISH SYSTEM DAMAGED DEVELOPMENT
In the past, Hong Kong adopted an electoral system that emulated its British counterpart, which allowed a significant group of politicians hostile to mainland China and Hong Kong to enter the Legislative Council, District Councils and other bodies of governance.
Circumstances resulting from the old electoral system can be argued to have damaged the development of Hong Kong. Now, the city finds itself caught between China and the West, facing a complicated international situation, and coupled with the fact that we have only just come out of the harsh COVID-19 pandemic.
Under such circumstances, what features must the sixth Chief Executive of Hong Kong have to stand up to all these daunting challenges?
FORTITUDE IS KEY
In my humble opinion, the inarguably essential trait the new Chief Executive must possess is fortitude. Not only must he have excellent leadership abilities to lead Hong Kong out of the chaos of the Covid-19 pandemic, but he must also have the intellect to comprehend the complex political climate as well as China’s trends of development. Moreover, the new Chief Executive has also to be an individual who loves mainland China and Hong Kong, and who can always safeguard the interests of this city and its people.
Of course, being able to speculate or think hypothetically is not enough. Ideally this person would have notable work experience in areas such as tackling the recent street violence, implementing the National Security Law, and running the territory’s new electoral system.
On top of safeguarding China and Hong Kong, the new Chief Executive must also have courage and sharp critical thinking skills. When faced with rumors or claims that are unreasonable, incorrect, and, ultimately, detrimental to Hong Kong’s interests, the person should always stand up and publicly condemn such slander without any fear.
CITIES THRIVE AS PARTS OF COUNTRIES
Consider contemporary incidents of people who are “anti-China no matter what”, of prolonged internal political friction, of street violence, and of demands for Hong Kong independence: all these have considerably damaged the city’s stability, prosperity and development.
“Imagine asking people to vandalize Liverpool and then fight London”
Yet it would be unimaginable for people to wreak havoc in San Francisco and ask the city to confront the US federal government in Washington DC; or to vandalize the city of Liverpool and ask it to resist the UK government in London. Such actions would seem irrational and even futile to any reasonable person.
How is it that when those events unfolded in Hong Kong, and people demanded independence, their actions were met with inaction and cowardice? It is our hope that when the new Chief Executive meets with conflict from the people of Hong Kong, he has the guts to at the very least stand up and work towards a common interest that both parties will settle for.
Dr Kevin Lau Chung-hang is specialist in radiology, co-founder of the Hong Kong Coalition, and advisor of Our Hong Kong Foundation
Image at the top is montage of images by Shuja Official and Gahan N Rao/ Unsplash