- 21 Oct 2019 07:22
#15043818
Sigh...this is one big problem I have with the yellow camp - we are not looking at the world in the same lens. Where do I even begin?
Firstly, no - I don't think China tried to change Hong Kong's system, it is unrealistic, not in their interest and they know it. If anything, the intervened too little too late, trusting their idiot minions in Hong Kong to know best. They allowed their enemies to divert public opinion to a point of no return: (https://www.hk01.com/周報/385681/與胡錫進對話-我們與-環球時報-的-平行時空 : rare instance this guy is not spewing bullshit.) What they wanted: bring public opinion under control, safeguard national security, and work with us for better economic integration - I frankly do not see any ill will as these are all very normal requirements for any sovereign country - but people in Hong Kong do not see them as a normal country, and frankly do not understand what that concept means - 陳啟宗 also mentioned that in his video. We are easily manipulated to believe that anything coming from China must be evil.
The bureaucrats in Hong Kong government, in their incompetence, saw these not as strategic initiatives, but orders to be followed word to word. They just bulldozed through the list like the loyal little puppies they are, screwed up the whole show, then blame the opposition when it failed. That was what 陳啟宗 meant (Damn I am becoming a fan), how they are 吏 not 官 - they execute orders but lack any strategic depth.
I believe it is quite a slippery rope to suggest that China is aiming for full control - it is a horribly wrong conclusion that feeds into horribly wrong observations, creating the echo chamber of Sinophobia.
I am not familiar with Malaysia and Kazakhstan, but you might notice South Korea, Philippines and many African countries became much closer to China lately - that alone doesn't mean much. 天下熙熙,皆為利往, diplomatic alignments has everything to do with national interests but very little to do with what you mentioned here.
(Un)fortunately, you are sitting on her border and as her international hub. That's how we got rich but that also gives Hong Kong strategic importance.
It is very irresponsible to think Chinese national interests has nothing to do with us. As long as we are one country, there is no question we have that burden - question is how much, and that boundary has to be defined. The pan-dems were right about it when they questioned the government on things like how to define "patriotic", how to execute the law and how to prevent abuse during 23條, it fell on deaf ears with the establishment, because they are such good puppies. The extradition law was again, understandably rejected outright by HKers, but I believe now more than ever, there needs to be another discussion on the topic.
Are you suggesting that as long as China made everything flowers and butterflies, they will no longer face national threats? That is very unrealistic. Quality of life and national security are two separate issues.
Not to mention China is not a shithole - it's a developing country that has done very well for itself. She has her challenges - it's no Sweden, but all in all it is reasonably livable. I frankly don't know why you insist she needs to be burned down and subjugated by foreigners. A lot of Chinese I know would be very offended by that.
As for your political views - as a fellow Hong Konger I understand it well, these are all pretty mainstream thinking - but I think many of these mainstream views are deeply problematic - still, I'm glad we are able to debate respectfully.
Patrickov wrote:China should see Hong Kong as somewhere to be changed as little as possible, and themselves the custodian. Do NOT try to remodel Hong Kong in their own vision.
Instead, find somewhere else to carry out their experiments. As for "not allowing Hong Kong to be a base of anti-China or anti-Communism", well, the Chinese Communists, and to a lesser extent, the Chinese people themselves, are the real ones who ignited such sentiment. If they fail to acknowledge this, anywhere can be a base of anti-China or anti-Communism. Don't they see what Malaysia and Kazakhstan have become?
Sigh...this is one big problem I have with the yellow camp - we are not looking at the world in the same lens. Where do I even begin?
Firstly, no - I don't think China tried to change Hong Kong's system, it is unrealistic, not in their interest and they know it. If anything, the intervened too little too late, trusting their idiot minions in Hong Kong to know best. They allowed their enemies to divert public opinion to a point of no return: (https://www.hk01.com/周報/385681/與胡錫進對話-我們與-環球時報-的-平行時空 : rare instance this guy is not spewing bullshit.) What they wanted: bring public opinion under control, safeguard national security, and work with us for better economic integration - I frankly do not see any ill will as these are all very normal requirements for any sovereign country - but people in Hong Kong do not see them as a normal country, and frankly do not understand what that concept means - 陳啟宗 also mentioned that in his video. We are easily manipulated to believe that anything coming from China must be evil.
The bureaucrats in Hong Kong government, in their incompetence, saw these not as strategic initiatives, but orders to be followed word to word. They just bulldozed through the list like the loyal little puppies they are, screwed up the whole show, then blame the opposition when it failed. That was what 陳啟宗 meant (Damn I am becoming a fan), how they are 吏 not 官 - they execute orders but lack any strategic depth.
I believe it is quite a slippery rope to suggest that China is aiming for full control - it is a horribly wrong conclusion that feeds into horribly wrong observations, creating the echo chamber of Sinophobia.
I am not familiar with Malaysia and Kazakhstan, but you might notice South Korea, Philippines and many African countries became much closer to China lately - that alone doesn't mean much. 天下熙熙,皆為利往, diplomatic alignments has everything to do with national interests but very little to do with what you mentioned here.
Patrickov wrote:I say this not in a Hong-Kong-centric way. Why does Hong Kong have to be so important anyways? I actually like the idea that China, or at least a significant portion of it, be as good to live as Hong Kong is (or used to be). Many Hong Kong Secessionists hold their idea just because they lost hope of that. Therefore, I strongly disagree their call (and, instead, believe the Secession Question is a false proposition), but I cannot really blame them.
(Un)fortunately, you are sitting on her border and as her international hub. That's how we got rich but that also gives Hong Kong strategic importance.
It is very irresponsible to think Chinese national interests has nothing to do with us. As long as we are one country, there is no question we have that burden - question is how much, and that boundary has to be defined. The pan-dems were right about it when they questioned the government on things like how to define "patriotic", how to execute the law and how to prevent abuse during 23條, it fell on deaf ears with the establishment, because they are such good puppies. The extradition law was again, understandably rejected outright by HKers, but I believe now more than ever, there needs to be another discussion on the topic.
Patrickov wrote:Making China "livable" is the ultimate solution of the Hong Kong problem. As a Chinese scholar Gu Yanwu said, "Everybody is responsible for the fate of the world". The Chinese only have themselves to blame if their place is such a shithole, and should not lie to others and force they way (as they have been doing). If they really cannot stand it anymore, then I won't hesitate to say "burn this bitch down", but afterwards, please be serious to build something that works -- together.
Are you suggesting that as long as China made everything flowers and butterflies, they will no longer face national threats? That is very unrealistic. Quality of life and national security are two separate issues.
Not to mention China is not a shithole - it's a developing country that has done very well for itself. She has her challenges - it's no Sweden, but all in all it is reasonably livable. I frankly don't know why you insist she needs to be burned down and subjugated by foreigners. A lot of Chinese I know would be very offended by that.
As for your political views - as a fellow Hong Konger I understand it well, these are all pretty mainstream thinking - but I think many of these mainstream views are deeply problematic - still, I'm glad we are able to debate respectfully.
Society changes, politics changes, no ideology should remain stationary.