Ronny Tong proudly presents his Path of Democracy ‘third way’ political group aimed at attracting people who have no political views…
“We understand die-hard pro-establishment supporters might not be interested in us nor die-hard radical supporters,” Tong said. “Our previous surveys found over half of Hongkongers are politically neutral. They will be our biggest voter base.”
Sorry, Ronny – no-one will be interested in you. Note the oh-so subtle attempt to differentiate the group as some sort of cool rebellious outcast rejected by ‘die-hard pro-establishment’. And, behold the non-platform…
“Compared to the pro-establishment camp we will stress more on Hongkongers’ core values, our freedom and the uniqueness of our society,” Tong said.
“On the other hand, we will focus more on the importance of China’s constitution and complying with the requirements under the Basic Law, national security and the importance of fighting for democracy under a stable society.”
It seems even the venerable ultra-moderate ADLP won’t be participating in the coming legislative polls, so Ronny’s little crew – like Tik Chi-yuen’s similar Third Side group – get to be Beijing’s token/quasi-democrats, masquerading as ‘centrists’.
Reminder: any candidate whose name is on the ballot in December is a United Front stooge – no exceptions.
Hong Kong tightens its quarantine measures, again, in an effort to be as Mainland as the Mainland. It’s easy to mock international financial institutions whining about Hong Kong’s Covid restrictions driving expat bankers away (Fortune has one of many reports). But the fact is that large numbers of the city’s residents, most of whom are not expats/bankers, are getting increasingly pissed off.
What’s intriguing is that local officials, who in decades past grovelled to overseas bankers, are now treating them with the same contempt as they do everyone else. What this tells us is that the local administration is no longer making the decisions. Greatest irony: during the 2019 movement, these same officials criticized the protests for (allegedly) driving foreign business away.
Kong Tsung-gan is keeping count of the civil society organizations disappearing in Hong Kong – 53 so far.
The Golden Buttock Award for Bare-Faced Cheek goes to China and Hong Kong police, who ask Danish counterparts via Interpol to cooperate with investigations into Danish lawmakers who might have helped pan-dem activist Ted Hui leave Hong Kong. The Danes said no.
“Our previous surveys found over half of Hongkongers are politically neutral.”
When were these surveys done — early 2019 or even earlier?!
“Hong Kong tightens its quarantine measures, again, in an effort to be as Mainland as the Mainland… the fact is that large numbers of the city’s residents, most of whom are not expats/bankers, are getting increasingly pissed off.”
I think some people are beyond pissed off and will end up buggering off. My question is: what’s the likelihood that this is indeed the intention, particularly with the international contingent? I can’t quite shake off my sense that what Beijing really, really wants is for Hong Kong to become a backwater — with the hope and expectation, stronger than ever now, that the likes of Shanghai and Shenzhen will replace it as financial and regional hubs at long last.
“Greatest irony: during the 2019 movement, these same officials criticized the protests for (allegedly) driving foreign business away.”
These are the same officials who didn’t see that many people were being put off by their anti-protestor propaganda and also the police brutality that people with eyes could see (and sometimes often experienced) for themselves.
Did the Standard photographer say to Ronny & Co. “Pose as if you’re politically legit with gravitas.” thus eliciting that outburst of laughter from everyone??
There goes that trite “core values” again…
You can bet the withdrawal of quarantine exemtions will not apply to the Northern CCP Hordes and SWMO and her minions. They will continue to joy ride back and forth regardless (despite Tam the Turd banning)
Tong Four? I thought Tong’s nickname was “11”?
Hong Kong’s only strategic value to the CCP is as an international financial centre. They reckon Western bankers and governments will keep the laundry open no matter what. So far, they’re right.
Ref: Chinese Interpol Request
Thank you for your request which is duly noted. I refer you to Arkell v. Pressdram.
Yours faithfully
Danish Police
@stanley, I could not disagree more. I have no doubt the only true strategic value of Hong Kong to the CCP is as a global tourist resort that will put sad, second-rate Sanya in the shade, where it deserves to be, dwarfing anything Macao could ever have hoped to offer as an international money laundrette. Happily, the city’s huge fiscal reserve is on hand for plundering to finance the scheme, channelled through Mainland construction and leisure businesses which will then go on to benefit from future visitor spending and the money-laundering opportunities that will create. Roll on glitzy pawn shops.
Getting rid of Western financial institutions who might stick their noses into fundraising, accounting and auditing practices is all of a piece. They’re not needed any more. And, for good measure, Hong Kong gets its face rubbed deeper in the shit.
I’m still waiting for the expose that reveals just how the lucrative smuggling industry was able to go on for so long and how the local Marine Police were unable to catch anyone until one of their very own died. What made the smuggling stop all of the sudden? Weird.
The CCP is telling you that China and Hong Kong won’t be open for at least another 13 months. The CCP wants foreigners out of Hong Kong, and if the hint delivered by the ongoing closure doesn’t achieve the desired results, then the CCP will adopt additional tactics.
“…will stress more on Hongkongers’ core values, our freedom and the uniqueness of our society,” Tong said.
Perhaps someone with a better understanding of the law can explain, as to a layman, that statement would seem not dissimilar to ones for which people have been charged with inciting sedition. I am confused.
“On the other hand, we will focus more on the importance of China’s constitution and complying with the requirements under the Basic Law, national security and the importance of fighting for democracy under a stable society.”
See above; and good luck with trying to square that circle.
‘These are the same officials’ who didn’t see the irony that going around raising alarm that HK was under threat of terrorist attacks might put people off coming/staying here.
“She (Carrie Lam) reiterated that the priority is resuming quarantine-free travel with the mainland, saying Hong Kong’s primary advantage is being a “gateway” to the rest of China.”
Presumably the fact that a gateway goes from somewhere to somewhere, and that one of those somewheres is the rest of the world, is lost on her?
She (Carrie Lam) getting more arrogant by the day:
A farewell dinner for lawmakers and Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor turned “unpleasant” when the chief executive said some pro-establishment legislators should apologize for requesting her to set up an independent inquiry to probe police violence.
…
Lam, however, thanked herself for being determined not to accept the request.
https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/11/235515/Legco-farewell-dinner-turns-sour-after-Lam-makes-'sorry'-demand
She seems to be making a habit of thanking herself.