West’s slander on HK shows ‘ sour grapes’ mentality before anniversary

After weathering riots and the onslaught of COVID- 19, Hong Kong, a city which ushered in a new social and political environment, is set to welcome the 25th anniversary of city’s return to the motherland. Many Western media took opportunity to play up the negative, yet twisted narratives about Hong Kong’s development after the handover. Such an attempt was seen by observers as a “sour grapes” mentality of Western forces, trying to shadow the much- anticipated anniversary, as well as the city’s booming future.

Chinese experts believe such malicious hype of so- called “betrayal” of “one country, two systems;” “eroding” Hong Kong’s democracy, and the city’s “dim future” only came after Western forces failed to damage Hong Kong’s system and stop the city from moving forward to a bright future. The city’s luster as the “Pearl of the Orient” will never be overshadowed by Western slander.

In an article published by the Associated Press titled “Hong Kong in limbo 25 years after British handover to China,” it said that “Beijing has been expanding its influence and control,” and that those moves appeared to be hastened by riots in 2014 and 2019. It also claimed the city’s electoral reform, and freedom of the press has come “under attack.”

An article from AFP headlined “A promise kept or betrayal? Hong Kong 25 years on from handover” also seemed to imply that the “one country, two systems” has gone against the direction “promised a high degree of autonomy, independent judicial power, and that the city’s leader would be ap

pointed by Beijing on the basis of local elections or consultations.”

In response to the criticism of the West and accusations against Beijing for so- called damage to the “one country, two systems” principle, Rita Fan Hsu Lai- tai, the president of the firstterm Legislative Council after the city returned to the motherland, recalled the social turmoil in 2019, saying that the accusations stemmed from Western forces’ interference in China’s internal affairs.

They [ Western forces] failed to damage the “one country, two systems” but they did not want to admit that so they shifted the blame to us, accusing us of not following the rules of the game, she told the Global Times.

The “one country, two systems” means that in one country, there are two different systems under which Hong Kong can practice capitalism, which has never been changed. Capital or assets can flow in and out of the city with no limitations, Fan said.

In response to some claims that Hong Kong now has only one voice and the way of governing the city is much like that in the mainland, Fan refuted those claims, saying that the opposition groups still exist, but there’s no “laam chau” anymore.

The term “laam chau” was commonly used by anti- government protests in the social turmoil in 2019. “Laam chau” was pushing the city into destruction with the aim of threatening the central government.

The opposition groups did not agree to certain measures adopted by the government, but it’s not the opposition groups’ patent to bring up their opinions to the government. “The pro- establishment groups in Hong Kong can do it, too,” Fan said.

Luster remains

Experts also warned the city will face an unprecedented hostile external environment and a challenging internal situation. The US has upped the ante of cracking down on China, and the previous development opportunity and “special treatment” Hong Kong gained from the West will be gradually taken away, Lau said, noting that the West will exert harsher and a more frequent crackdown and sanctions on Hong Kong.

Under such circumstances, he suggested Hong Kong must find its new position, to engage in the country’s development plan, strengthen its economic connection with Asian countries, especially Southeast Asian countries, actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative to gain wider development space and more momentum for economic and industrial growth.

Yet Regina Ip Lau Suk- yee, the chairperson of the New People’s Party, who was also appointed recently as convener of the Executive Council ( ExCo) meeting of the HKSAR, is positive about Hong Kong’s prospects.

Hong Kong’s status as a global financial center and international shipping center may be challenged in the past few years, yet those challenges are temporary.

In the long run, Hong Kong is still endowed with attractive conditions, international appeal, said Ip, noting that its diverse society with a high degree of internationalization makes Hong Kong continue serving as a bridge between East and West. “It’s not a problem that some are leaving, what’s important is people keep coming.”