Pathetic Excuses for Government Failures

Grandpa Tung claiming the US and Taiwan are behind the protests

China insists that the "black hand" of the United States has been involved in eight weeks of protests, with the Chinese Foreign Ministry Wang Yi leading the charge.

"Everyone wants to ask: exactly what role has the US played in the recent series of events in Hong Kong?" asked foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying. "On this question, I think the US owes the world an explanation."

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says that's "ludicrous"

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo immediately dismissed the claim as "ludicrous".

"I think the protests are solely the responsibility of the people of Hong Kong, and I think they are the ones that are demanding that their government listen to them and hear their voices," Pompeo said on Tuesday. "It's -- I saw these remarks as well. It's ludicrous on its face."

But China refused to back down on its theory without any evidence, by trotting out former Hong Kong chief executive Tung Chee-hwa to parrot the claim again.

Tung, who is vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, gave a speech today, accusing the US and Taiwan of orchestrating the "well organized" recent protests against the Hong Kong government.

This is strange coming from Tung, who supposedly has strong links with the US government. Or maybe that was with the Obama administration. Nevertheless, he did not give any evidence to support his bizarre claim.

Protesters are using make-shift equipment against police

He went on to say: "Some young people have vented their anxiety and helplessness through street politics. Yet, with Beijing's backing and various sectors' support behind the government, we are capable of breaking the social deadlock."

Uh huh.

In his speech at a lunch organized by Our Hong Kong Foundation, a think tank he founded and chairs, he called on Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to listen to public opinion and solve long-standing problems, such as housing, health care, education and pensions.

Hello Mr Tung? She hasn't done that... can you remind her to do that, starting tomorrow? The longer she procrastinates, the more this situation is going to escalate.

Or perhaps you the elites don't want to deal with these hard-to-solve-issues because they are beyond your problem-solving capabilities so it's easier to put the blame for these now violent protests on "foreign forces" like the US and Taiwan.

And by the way lumping Taiwan into blame department is very strange because it's actually Lam who is increasing the chances of President Tsai Ing-wen to be re-elected.

Now who are the "dark hands"?

Protesters use latest phone app to organize themselves

But Tung goes on to add: "This storm escalated quickly and it was well organized. We have reasons to believe there were masterminds behind the storm. There could be interference from external forces, and various signs are pointing towards Taiwan and the US."

He doesn't realize or want to accept that young people have used the latest technology -- an encrypted messaging app called Telegram -- to discuss and assemble people as quickly as possible, and that they have learned their lesson from five years ago to be prepared with supplies.

Apparently some protesters are running out of cash, and then today there was a picture posted on Twitter showing stacks of coupons for food and other things for them to use.

Doesn't Tung see that people are willing to fight to the death for this cause and are as Hongkongers they are resourceful people who are creative in fighting the police who have much better equipment than them?

But alas no, he refuses to come out of his ivory tower and see the reality of the situation, just like Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, Leung Chun-ying, and now Lam. 

This is a fundamental problem that can only be solved by them engaging with young people and trying to understand what they want -- affordable homes and decent job opportunities, not just be stuck in dead-end jobs like retail and hospitality. And they want to live and work in Hong Kong because this is their home. It's actually really simple.

Claiming "black hands" have meddled in Hong Kong affairs is not only predictable but really pathetic.

Tensions Racheted up a Few Notches

People at Kwai Chung police station on news 44 people charged with rioting

This evening things are tense at Kwai Chung police station where 49 people are being detained for participating in clashes with police on Sunday. News came down a few hours ago that 44 of them will be charged with rioting tomorrow morning at Eastern Court. This is the first time this charge is being used, which could result in 10 years in jail.

Since the news broke, protesters gathered in front of the station, and when three of the 49 were released, there were huge cheers. But then a handful of riot police showed up -- not enough to be intimidating, as people started throwing objects at them and they had to retreat into the MTR station. There are reports pepper spray was used in the station.

Many came after work to voice their reaction to the news

The news of the charges for rioting do not bode well in trying de-escalate the situation. Tomorrow will surely be tense.

Meanwhile this morning I managed to get to work on time on the MTR because there were warnings that the public transit network would be affected. Already two other lines, like Tiu King Leng were affected, and some of my colleagues living in Kowloon East were unable to come in, or were stuck at North Point and walked all the way to Causeway Bay to the office.

Some passengers were annoyed and one or two got into fist fights, but many were supportive of the protesters. At North Point they shouted 光復香港，時代革命 "Reclaim Hong Kong, revolution of our times". 

Tensions flared inside MTR stations this morning

Alan Cheng Kwan-hing, MTR's general manager for special duties reported 123 incidents of passengers pressing the emergency buttons on carriages and platforms on the Kwun Tong, Tseung Kwan O, Island and Tsuen Wan lines to obstruct trains.

"We understand some people want to express their views, but we regret that they did so by disrupting train service. We ask them not to obstruct train services and affect other passengers using the MTR."

It wasn't until lunchtime that train services starting getting back to normal.  

Civil servants are applying to the police to have a rally on Friday evening at Chater Garden. It will be interesting to see how big the crowd is and if there will be a general strike next Monday.

Most commuters were not too bothered by the disruption

Things are moving so fast these days that I have been practically glued to Twitter to catch the latest. 

We are in the midst of a "new normal" that will not calm down anytime soon...

CARRIE ARE YOU SEEING THIS?

Beijing Speaks on Hong Kong

Spokesman Yang Guang gives a rare press briefing on the Hong Kong issue

Today we all waited for 3pm to come -- when the State Council Information Office held a press briefing about the situation in Hong Kong -- the first of its kind since the handover in 1997.

So it's taken 22 years for something serious enough to merit this event.

What did they say? Our response in bold.

1. What has happened in Hong Kong recently has gone far beyond the scope of peaceful march and demonstration, undermined Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and touched the bottom line of the principle of "one country, two systems". Those horrendous incidents have caused serious damage to the rule of law, public order, economy and people's lives in Hong Kong and its international image, and great distress to all of those who love and care about Hong Kong.

Despite her faults, Beijing says it still supports her

We love Hong Kong too, but someone made a serious mistake that caused the "serious damage to the rule of law, public order, economy and people's lives in Hong Kong".

2. We call on people from all walks of life in Hong Kong to unequivocally oppose and resist violence. No civilized society under the rule of law would ever allow acts of violence to take place. We call on the general public of Hong Kong to be aware of the grave nature of the current situation and to jointly condemn the evil and criminal acts committed by the radical elements and prevent them from causing trouble to Hong Kong.

We oppose violence too, but someone's administration still has not responded to our demands so some of us have taken a more radical approach to get their attention and to no avail. Is that our fault?

3. We hope that Hong Kong people will stand firm in defense of the rule of law. The rule of law is a core value that Hong Kong people take pride. in. It is a cornerstone for the good business environment and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. We must not sit idly by and let a small number of people trample on this important value.

Beijing also supports the police for fulfilling its duties

We stand by rule of law too. But someone made a grave mistake in not allowing enough time for stakeholders to give feedback about the extradition bill, making it unacceptable to 2 million people who marched in protest. But still our government did not listen.

4. The central government firmly supports Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam in leading the HKSAR government's administration under the rule of law, the Hong Kong police in strict law enforcement, the HKSAR government agencies and the judiciary body in meting out punishment to violent criminals according to law, and people who love China and Hong Kong in safeguarding the rule of law in Hong Kong. We understand the huge pressure facing the Hong Kong police and their families, and would like to salute the Hong Kong police who have been fearlessly sticking to their posts and fulfilling their duties against all odds.

We know you insist on keeping Carrie, it's a face thing, we get it. Ditto with the police. But can we charge the government with dereliction of duty and the police for not using their crowd control tools properly, like shooting tear gas directly at people instead of in the air? What we'd really like is an independent inquiry into alleged police brutality, but we know your stand on the issue.

The standoff will continue until Lam says the w-word

5. We hope that Hong Kong will get over the political contentions as soon as possible and instead concentrate on developing its economy and improving people's livelihood. Hong Kong enjoys a good foundation for development and favourable conditions and unique advantages. That said, Hong Kong cannot afford to have instability. Should the chaos continue, it is the entire Hong Kong society that will suffer.

We'd like to resolve this issue too -- one person just has to say the w-word and call for an independent inquiry and then we're good. Until that happens yes, we will all suffer. Who's fault is that again? As for developing Hong Kong's economy, do you have any other brilliant ideas other than more shopping malls catering to mainlanders?

6. Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the practice of "one country, two systems" in the region has been a widely recognized success. The policies of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong", and a high degree of autonomy have been faithfully implemented. The central government will continue to unswervingly implement the principle of "one country, two systems" and ensure that this principle remains unchanged and is not bent or distorted in practice.

Really? "One country, two systems" has been a success? It doesn't look like it is as you can see from the current mess. What do you mean by "high degree of autonomy" when you have meddled in Hong Kong's affairs, and Carrie Lam even parrots phrases you like to use, like "hurting the feelings of 1.4 billion Chinese people"?

Yang inundated by the scrum of reporters and leaves

7. We are confident that with the full support of the central government and the mainland, and under the leadership of Chief Executive Carrie Lam and the SAR government our Hong Kong compatriots are surely able to govern, develop and manage Hong Kong well, and Hong Kong will surely overcome all difficulties and challenges on its way forward. The ship of "one country, two systems" will surely sail far and steady despite winds and storms.

How can Hong Kong overcome its difficulties when Carrie Lam has done nothing to solve this huge problem? Sounds like you have no great ideas either except rhetoric.

The spokespeople then took a few questions (some scripted) from journalists and sidestepped queries on Lam's work performance, the PLA coming into Hong Kong, and thoughts on an independent inquiry on the police. They also refused to be drawn into whether the triads in Yuen Long last Sunday had any links with Beijing.

So on the whole it was predictable and the stalemate continues.

What next?

Carrie Lam, Where Are You?

Hong Kong police fired numerous rounds of tear gas on protesters today

CARRIE LAM -- WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY CITY!

Hong Kong has turned into a war zone every week. For eight straight weeks people come out to protest peacefully because of what happened the week before and then afterwards clashes erupt between protesters and police.

Tear gas and pepper spray are now a common occurrence, and every week the violence escalates to result in blood letting and injuries. Is this really necessary?

WHY CARRIE, WHY?

Confusion in the Sheung Wan MTR on where people can go

Tonight I had a work assignment in Kowloon but then at 8pm the MTR made an announcement that trains would not be running from Sheung Wan to Kennedy Town. I tried to get a taxi and no one would go to Kennedy Town.

I took the MTR to Sheung Wan. As soon as the doors opened, we could smell the lingering smell of tear gas in the station and I covered my mouth and nose with my cardigan. At the turnstile to get out, there were lots of protesters in helmets advising passengers of which exit was safe to leave out of. Some even offered wet tissues to protect their mouths and nose.

TAXPAYER MONEY IS USED TO FIGHT TAXPAYERS

Walking along Queen's Road West in Sheung Wan there was garbage strewn on the streets but on the whole everyone was orderly. When I got to Sai Ying Pun things got tense. I walked down to Connaught Road West to where the Western Police Station is. It just happened that some officers in helmets and batons came out -- they were making sure the coast was clear for a police vehicle. And a colleague filmed the whole process too. Guess they had to "submit their homework" as the Cantonese slang goes.

Numerous police vehicles at Western Police Station

When I got to Connaught Road West, two police officers in full riot gear asked me where I was going. I said Kennedy Town. "Could you not take pictures here? We're conducting an operation," one said. I put the phone away, but not without snapping this picture after. So many police vehicles out in force to protect their own station when all the action is really in Sheung Wan and Central...

CARRIE MAKES US STRONGER

It took me about 35 minutes to walk home. I was able to burn off some calories from my dinner and get more exercise in, on top of the swim this morning. Ironically these protests have made residents get out more and move their feet. Last week the protest march from Victoria Park to Central was about 7.4km which was completed in 3 hours and 48 minutes. Then a few days later I ran the same distance on the treadmill in 55 minutes. 

But also every week because of what happens, people get so angry that they come out the following week to demonstrate their feelings. These protests have also made the community more cohesive with the policy of "let's go together". Seeing elderly people challenging the police is heartening, especially when they berate the police as being crazy for what they are doing.

PROTESTERS FIGHTING FOR HONG KONG

Protesters use umbrellas to protect themselves from tear gas

Since the government is no where to be seen, the protesters have no choice but to defend Hong Kong themselves -- from the police, who are becoming a lawless force unto themselves. Many don't wear their ID badges, hit or attack people who haven't provoked them, and like tonight, fire a lot of tear gas that should be shot in the air, not at people.

The protesters adapt very quickly and despite being leaderless, as a group they are fast, efficient and everyone works together for the same goal. Young people have nothing to lose in this battle for their home. They deserve security and opportunity and yet the government doesn't even give them hope, even though the next generation are our future.

CARRIE WHERE ARE YOU? STOP THIS INSANITY AT ONCE!

Police in riot gear close down Sai Ying Pun tonight

Only this chaos will end with Carrie Lam, as she is the one who started it. Everyone is breaking ranks with her and her government, and demanding she resolve the issue now. And yet she remains silent and out of sight. Oh wait I should correct that. She was spotted (unannounced) at a PLA barracks for the graduation ceremony of the Military Summer Camp for Hong Kong Youth. She even said: "Young people are the driving force of the development of Hong Kong."

The scenes we see playing out every weekend are absolutely surreal and apocalyptic. What is happening now could not have been imagined for a film plot.

AGAIN -- CARRIE LAM! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY CITY!

Picture of the Day: Tear Gas Again

Protesters running away from tear gas fired at them in Yuen Long

Unfortunately tear gas is now a common sight now in the seventh consecutive week of protesting the Hong Kong government not withdrawing the extradition bill.

This evening tear gas was used yet again in Yuen Long in the New Territories to disperse demonstrators who were protesting against the bloody rampage on innocent victims in the MTR station last Sunday. While it is true these marchers today were doing this illegally, do they always have to be blasted with tear gas?

It seems excessive, but perhaps the Hong Kong police felt outnumbered again, and maybe thought tear gas was the easiest way to control the situation...?

Luckily most of the protesters came prepared today with helmets, goggles, umbrellas and even walking sticks to protect themselves.

But does it have to come to this?

Meanwhile the government is no where to be seen and they don't seem to care either.

And so the tear gas (paid by Hong Kong taxpayers) continue to be used against them!

The Chorus Grows Louder

A sign that not all is well with Hong Kong, visitors please take heed!

The Hong Kong government has practically lost its mandate to govern the city now that there are even louder calls for it to do something, the very least set up an independent inquiry into how the police have handled protesters in the past several weeks, and yet it is silent.

And today even senior civil servants have added their voice in the growing chorus. About 100 administrative officers (AO) have written an open letter to the government, calling for an independent inquiry as this is "the only way that Hong Kong will have the opportunity to reconcile, recover from the trauma and move forward again".

Civil servants call on government for an independent inquiry

There are also 200 executive officers (EO) that include the Department of Justice and the Judiciary are calling for the government to meet the protesters' demands and tonight there is also word that 20 government lawyers in the Department of Justice have also said that top officials' views "absolutely do not represent the political views of civil servants" and that they vowed to protect people's rights.

A few hours ago Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung apologized on behalf of the government for what happened in Yuen Long last Sunday, describing the men dressed in white as "rioters", and urged protesters to demonstrate "peacefully and rationally".

This completely angered the Chief of Police Stephen Lo Wai-chung, who was completely in the dark about Cheung's intention to apologize. He and the police unions feel the government have thrown them under the bus after all they have gone through.

Matthew Cheung apologizes -- without the police knowing

"The government gave us up, after we defended them for nearly two months. we took bullets for the administration," said an inspector who had been working since the first extradition bill protest broke out in early June.

Oops. Cheung was probably only trying to help the situation but didn't think out too clearly how this would have a knock-on effect on how the police would react. The Hong Kong government probably feels even more vulnerable and isolated than ever...

Meanwhile a sit-in at Hong Kong Airport has just ended after 11 hours, where mostly airline staff but also people dressed in black gathered at the arrivals area, occupying both Halls A and B.

Tear gas fired on protesters in Sheung Wan on Sunday night

For a visitor arriving, it must have been a scary sight seeing so many people in black and waving placards like "Welcome to Hong Kong a city run by police and gangsters" or shouting "free Hong Kong", and "Hongkongers add oil!" A Cathay Pacific flight attendant waved to the crowd and everyone erupted in cheers and applause. Other locals coming back from trips immediately sat down to join the massive crowd.

However some mainlanders were completely confused by what they saw, and there was at least one shouting match between one mainlander and a local woman. But overall it seems that the sit-in was peaceful, and this evening hundreds of medical staff also staged a sit-in outside Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kowloon.

Tomorrow though things will definitely be tense in Yuen Long. The police have banned the protest march, and yet people feel compelled to go there to demonstrate their anger about what happened last weekend.

Thousands sit in at the arrivals hall in the airport today

So to skirt around the issue, many will be "shopping" in Yuen Long, or holding a commemorative rally to remember the late former premier Li Peng -- wouldn't Beijing be pleased to see that?

These protesters will be prepared. They have raided shops to buy goggles, masks and even walking sticks for self defense.

We can only hope people will be safe tomorrow...

Flashpoint Yuen Long on Saturday

Yuen Long was a ghost town on Monday following the brazen attack

Saturday is already gearing up to be a tense day in Yuen Long.

The Hong Kong police have already rejected a proposal to hold a march in the rural district to protest against the horrific violent attack in Yuen Long station that resulted in at least 45 people being injured when they were attacked by white-shirted men armed with metal and wooden sticks. So far 12 people have been arrested. Surely there should be more...

People want to march in Yuen Long to condemn the attack

The police claim the march will lead to further violence and cancelling it would ensure public safety, public order and protect the rights and freedoms of others.

As the march's destination would be near villages, the police claimed that could lead to clashes between protesters and villagers.

Max Chung Kin-ping, one of the march's organizers, said the ban would spark a larger turnout as people would be angered by the "political move" by police, who made the decision based on advice from rural leaders.

Chung added he would still go to Yuen Long on Saturday. "We will exhaust every means to march", and said the rejection fueled claims the police were "cooperating" with rural powers.

Or how about patronizing local shops like Ho To Tai?

The Hong Kong government has completely lost its credibility as well as the police. Now people are terrified of walking around the city, tourists are not coming and eventually businesses will shutter. What is the end game here?

In the meantime people are fighting to save Hong Kong and want to have the city they know and love back to normal... whatever that is.

A friend who was born and raised in Yuen Long is devastated about what happened on Sunday evening and plans to lead a foodie tour this Saturday and patronize local shops. Every little bit helps.

Will the PLA Bring Order to HK?

Men in white shirts (top) attack Hong Kong residents in Yuen Long station

So much has been happening in the last two days since the attack in Yuen Long that it's hard to keep track of all the news, even on Twitter.

But the big announcement today was the Chinese military weighing in, saying it can be deployed to Hong Kong to maintain social order at the request of the city's government, adding that Sunday's siege of the liaison office in Western district was intolerable.

Wu Qian spoke at a briefing today to introduce China's new defense white paper.

China defense military spokesman Wu Qian spoke today

"We are closely following the developments in Hong Kong, especially the violent attack against the central liaison office by radicals on July 21. Some behaviour of the radical protesters is challenging the authority of the central government and the bottom line of one country, two systems. This is intolerable."

When asked how the defense ministry would handle events in Hong Kong, Wu only said "Article 14 of the Garrison Law has clear stipulations", without elaborating.

Article 14 says that the Hong Kong government can ask the central government for help from the People's Liberation Army's Hong Kong garrison for the maintenance of public order and disaster relief.

If that request is approved, then the garrison would send troops to carry out the task and then immediately return to their station.

So far the Hong Kong government spokesman said today the city was fully capable of dealing with its own affairs and maintaining law and order.

One innocent victim who was beaten severely on Sunday night

Is it? Following the accusations the police didn't do enough to protect citizens from a violent mob, Hongkongers are having second thoughts about their safety and security.

Or is this the scenario the Chinese government is looking for to justify having PLA soldiers in the streets to keep the peace, but really to take over Hong Kong?

The police have arrested 11 people connected to the savage attacks in the Yuen Long MTR station that led to 45 people being injured, but that handful doesn't even compare to witnesses saying about 100 of these hot-blooded white-shirted men who were rampaging through the station.

Some China experts with knowledge of triads say these unsavoury gangs have done dirty deeds for the Chinese government before. On the mainland, they have intimidated or physically attacked people to get them to move off their land for the government to redevelop, or prevent people from submitting petitions to Beijing, or from getting the justice they believe they deserve.

In 2014 in Mongkok, there were men with heavy mainland accents who stirred up a riot that led to a policeman shooting his pistol in the air. And now it's triad members apparently from Yuen long and Tuen Mun who attacked people with metal and wooden sticks.

So far 11 people have been arrested in the Yuen Long attacks

A middle school student from Yuen Long said yesterday, sobbing that he couldn't fathom that Hong Kong people would be beating Hong Kong people. And after witnessing what happened on Sunday, he can't erase it from his mind and now is terrified for his safety.

China experts say the government tacitly allowing triads to do their dirty work for them shows the authorities have lost their ability to govern and are desperate for the protests to end. But will it?

Every time something happens, people come out to support Hong Kong. Like on June 9, 1 million people came out to protest against the extradition bill, and Chief Executive Carrie Lam didn't withdraw, 2 million people came out the following weekend.

After July 1, Lam said the bill was "dead", but in legislative terms, there is no such thing as a bill being "dead" -- it has to be withdrawn.

The Chinese emblem was covered in black paint on Sunday

It's interesting Wu is more fixated on the graffiti and eggs pelted at the liaison office than the almost four dozen people who were physically injured in shockingly violent attacks in Yuen Long. They see it as a massive affront to China without truly understanding the root causes of the protests and the attacks on government buildings.

Twenty-two years later the Chinese still don't get it. And having the PLA on the streets of Hong Kong won't make it better.

The Butcher of Beijing is Dead

"The butcher of Beijing" is dead -- Li Peng died on Monday in Beijing

This evening came the news that former Chinese premier Li Peng -- the man who advocated the violent crackdown in Tiananmen Square in June 30 years ago -- passed away on Monday at the age of 90.

For many critics of China, Li will is remembered as "The butcher of Beijing", while the Communist Party of China revere him as a great communist leader and statesman.

Jiang Zemin, Li Peng and Deng Xiaoping

The official obituary in Xinhua says Li played an "important role" in the 1989 crackdown.

"Under the resolute support of veteran revolutionary leaders represented by comrade Deng Xiaoping, comrade Li Peng unequivocally stood with most of the comrades of the Politburo, taking decisive measures to stop the turmoil, cracking down on the counter-revolutionary riot and stabilizing the domestic situation. He made an important contribution in this fundamental struggle, which was critical to the future and fate of the Communist Party and the state."

It was at this critical juncture that Li helped the CPC take a more hard line path; they had seen East Germany crumble as well as the Soviet Union, and the Chinese leaders were not going to let the People's Republic of China to follow the same fate.

The PLA move in to clear out Tiananmen Square in 1989

Alas, was this the right decision?

The CPC would like to think so and is proving it is right by showing off its economic muscle that is way stronger than everyone else's. But morally it plays by its own rules that the rest of the world is still grappling with.

Li, a hydraulic engineer by training, was also responsible for the construction of the Three Gorges Dam. It was considered a massive engineering feat, despite forcing villagers to move and causing massive environmental damage.

The dam was supposed to control floods, but it hardly solved the issue, and so much silt from the Yangtze River accumulates in the dam that it caused a lot of problems, even triggering minor earthquakes! And no, the massive hydroelectric dam didn't solve electrical supply issues either.

The Three Gorges Dam is an environmental disaster

But Li did well for his family. He has three children, two of whom ran two of China's electrical monopolies. One of them, Li Xiaopeng entered politics in Shanxi province and became its governor in 2012, and four years later he became Minister of Transport. Li Xiaolin was chief executive of China Power International Development before being transferred out to another power company.

The more the Chinese know about what happened on June 4, the more they will change their opinions about Li Peng. They have a right to know about this bloody stain on their country's history and Li's part in it.

More Questions than Answers

Is Carrie Lam really governing Hong Kong? The chaos is out of control...

Everyone in Hong Kong is still reeling from what happened last night, particularly in Yuen Long.

The video footage of people being attacked, including a Stand News reporter who kept her phone rolling on Facebook live while white-shirted thugs hit her, were absolutely shocking. There was a former TVB reporter Ryan Lau whose face was bloody, and a pregnant woman who was injured as well.

Thugs attacking passengers in the MTR train at Yuen Long

The biggest question on people's minds were -- where were the police? Why did it take them so long to respond to the crisis? Hong Kong has 30,000 police officers -- were they all in Sheung Wan firing tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters? They were definitely not along the protest march route because I didn't see any.

Last night when the police finally arrived (after the bloody attacks had taken place), reporters asked them why it took them so long to respond and the police claimed they came as soon as they could, and that they were not looking at their watches when the call came.

It was their condescending attitude that was unacceptable, and telling people to move along instead of asking witnesses what had happened was very bizarre. 

Another curious observation was pro-Beijing lawmaker and lawyer Junius Ho Kwan-yiu who was shown in a video clip on social media shaking hands with white-shirted men in Yuen Long, giving them the thumbs up and saying, "Thanks for your hard work".

Junius Ho last night with white-shirted men in Yuen Long

It was unclear whether the video was taken before or after the melee in Yuen Long MTR station, but some online sleuths managed to match up some people Ho met with those in the station.

On Monday morning Ho held his own press conference where reporters demanded to know why he was shaking hands with these people who could have been thugs. He explained he was passing through the area after dinner and people were asking to take pictures with him...

And then he later had the gall to say it was the protesters who provoked Yuen Long residents to get out their bamboo sticks to "protect themselves".

Is it surprising that his office in Tsuen Wan was surrounded and completely trashed by angry people this afternoon?

The liaison office being pelted with paint and eggs last night

At 3pm today Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor had a press conference, and with her cabinet standing behind her with solemn faces, she reiterated again how she was shocked at the violence last night and again blamed the protesters for instigating the incidents that led to the paint attacks at the liaison office, and the attacks in Yuen Long.

A reporter asked if she prioritized the attacks on the liaison office (that resulted in no injuries) over the 45 who were injured in Yuen Long because a press release was issued at 3.54am when people had been watching the MTR station attacks all evening. Lam said at the time the press release was issued, the government "didn't have all the facts".  A collective groan could be heard all over the city.

Then police chief Stephen Lo Wai-chung dismissed claims there was collusion between the triads and the police; he was later was grilled about why there were no police officers in Yuen Long station when the attacks happened (twice), and he claimed that at the time two officers went to the scene and saw that they would be outnumbered and so they left to call for reinforcements.

What kind of response is that when civilians are literally being beaten up?!

Yoho mall in Yuen Long is completely empty today

As to why calls to 999 were not answered, he claimed the line was jammed with hundreds of calls and they did their best to answer everyone of them. He added they were busy with the situation in Sheung Wan, and protesters in front of the police headquarters and the Legislative Council.


He reiterated what Lam said: "Violence is not a solution to any problem. Violence will only breed more violence. We absolutely do not tolerate such violence."

At this point reporters were getting frustrated and started shouting questions at Lam and Lo -- something unheard of as usually these question and answer sessions are usually civilized.

One asked Lam if she felt she was still able to govern Hong Kong after what happened in the Yuen Long MTR last night, and she replied the government "did poorly" and would endeavour to work harder to improve.

Another collective groan could be heard. Endeavouring to work harder is not good enough, especially when you've said that before, and things are worse.

Junius Ho tries to shake a reporter's hand at a press conference

A reporter asked Lam where she was last night when she was able to give a press conference at 4am on July 2 after Legco was trashed. Lam claimed they were still gathering the facts...

Watching that press conference was like watching robots just say the stock phrases that had been pre-programmed into their brains. Many viewers likened it to the Korean movie, Train to Busan where zombies are on a train.

One reporter even asked Lam, "Can you please speak like a human being?"

Towards the end of the press conference Lam said, "You don't know but I was very upset by what happened last night." If you were, why didn't you tell us last night? Why wait until this morning? And what are you going to do about these white-shirted men who injured at least 45 people?

Today Yuen Long was a ghost town, with businesses shuttered all day or from the afternoon onwards as people were worried about their safety. How come the government didn't address the economic impact these incidents have had on the city? Isn't that what it really cares about in the end?

Arthur Shek incited violence on Saturday

And this evening the police have announced it will raid those involved in the last night's bloody rampage in the MTR station, adding they had triad connections. Why is the police announcing this now and giving these thugs an opportunity to flee Hong Kong?

One can only groan again at the incompetence.

The police should really arrest Arthur Shek, vice president of the Hong Kong Economic Times for inciting violence. On Saturday at the pro-police rally, he instructed people to buy bamboo canes to "beat the kids up" as punishment. And that's what happened the following day.

Why is Hong Kong governance breaking down so fast? It is clear Lam doesn't have control over the city -- she has only been focused on pleasing Beijing, the extradition bill one of her pet projects.

In the meantime everyone is mourning the state of their home, that this is not the Hong Kong they know and love.

Lam and Co. still insist it is the protesters who have brought all these incidents on the city and refuse to set up an independent inquiry into the police handling of protesters.

It's going to be a long, hot summer.

Another Protest, Another Conflict

Some 430,000 people participated in the (peaceful) march on Sunday

Every Sunday it's the same thing -- a peaceful march followed by ugly confrontations between a group of protesters and the police.

This afternoon hundreds of thousands of people gathered at Victoria Park for yet another march calling for Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to withdraw the bill and set up an independent commission into alleged police brutality. This time the dress code was any colour, but the vast majority of people were in black.

"Hong Kong add oil" in yellow balloons

We were told the finish would be at Southern Playground in Wan Chai, and there was speculation that perhaps the police were itching for a fight and that protesters would go to the police headquarters a few blocks away.

In any event, the march got underway at 3.30pm, but it took us over an hour just to get out of Victoria Park. In that time at least four people passed out and marchers signaled for first aid, and even made space for them to rush over. Standing around in 32 degree heat and high humidity shows protesters aren't doing this for fun -- this is hard work!

At times we had to walk backwards too, which was a first in a protest march, possibly because of people fainting here and there. Almost two hours later we were by the Regal Hong Kong Hotel, and then just after two hours by Sogo.

It was here that we saw Ken Tsang Kin-chiu on a bullhorn telling marchers they could walk faster on Lockhart Road and he was with Cardinal Zen who was giving everyone the thumbs up. All along the way there were no police in sight to ensure we were keeping in line.

People leaving messages of support all over the march route

With some people going to Lockhart Road, we could finally walk at a slightly faster pace, though it was not without its stops and starts. When things got quiet, someone would show "Hongkongers!" and others replied "Add oil!", or "Carrie Lam!" and "Resign!" That would energize the crowd for a while and then later on towards Admiralty Christians were singing "Sing Hallelujah", another protest song...

Overall the atmosphere was good, young and old, we all braved the heat to march. By the time we got to Southern Playground we could see one protester shouting he had masks, hinting it was for people who wanted to go to the police headquarters.

We decided to march all the way to the Court of Final Appeal, the original end point for the march, but we could see other people heading to the Legislative Council, also with masks. After three hours and 48 minutes we finally made it to Central and my legs were tired to say the least.

Protesters deface the sign in front of the liaison office

After coming home I saw on Twitter that protesters had gone to the liaison office in Sai Ying Pun and no police were there to guard the building. Naturally the protesters took the opportunity to deface it, including calling President Xi Jinping a dog...

Then the police tried to clear them from the area, and moved them eastwards towards Central. However, things heated up again near Shun Tak Centre and Western Market and tear gas was thrown many times and possibly rubber bullets were fired as well.

In the meantime things got even uglier in Yuen Long MTR station where people in white with sticks were attacking anyone in black, who they assumed to be protesters. What was even scarier was that there were no police in sight, leaving many people, including families with young children frightened and shocked to be caught in the mess.

Police fire tear gas at protesters in Sheung Wan this evening

Only in the last few minutes (around 11.15pm) did the police arrive (all 12 of them), after the thugs (possibly triads?) left. To some it seemed like the whole incident was planned and are demanding answers from the police, who are telling commuters to just go home. How about some answers?

It's all very confusing and there will be more talk tomorrow. But in the meantime it seems now (11.30pm) that protesters have decided to call it a day in Sheung Wan.

How can Hong Kong continue to sustain these protest marches and violent incidents week after week? This is not the city we know and love anymore and it is the government that has to be accountable for this mess and get us out of it. However, Carrie Lam has been completely silent about it and the longer she doesn't say anything, the more this will continue...

Pro-Police Rally Today, Anti-Extradition Tomorrow

A large rally was held at Tamar today in support of the Hong Kong Police

The weather has become unsettled again because of a typhoon passing by on Taiwan's east coast, and this weekend there has been rain on and off. Despite the unsettled conditions, a march to support the Hong Kong police was held this afternoon, and organizers say over 300,000 came to the rally at Tamar in Admiralty, while the police said it was 165,000.

Nevertheless, more than 60 relatives of police officers signed an open letter to Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, urging her to stop using the police officers as "human shields" between the government and the public, and to set up a judge-led inquiry committee.

Afterwards, some people tore messages from Lennon Wall

"We are furious that front line police officers have to stand in the forefront in the face-off with protesters in demonstrations arising from political controversies... Front line police officers are forced to bear the consequences of the government's maladministration," the relatives wrote.

The rally had some star power, with TVB star Nat Chan Pak-cheung and Maria Cordero, as well as former secretary of justice Elsie Leung Oi-see, while co-convenors of the event included Margaret Leung Ko May-yee, managing director of Chong Hing Bank, Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, vice-president of the Fok Ying Tung group, and former police commissioner Tang King-shing.

When the rally was over, some participants went over to the "Lennon Wall" in Admiralty and pulled down the hand-written messages there, while putting up some pro-police newspaper articles.

Where will tomorrow's march end? Wan Chai or Central?

In the meantime, since Lam has not addressed any of the protesters' demands, another march will be held tomorrow afternoon. Civil Human Rights Front had planned the route to start from Victoria Park to the Court of Final Appeal in Central, but the police have said the march has to end at Southern Playground for safety reasons.

The police are wary of marchers passing by the police headquarters in Wan Chai as well as the Legislative Council in Admiralty, where there have been attacks on these buildings. So we'll have to see what happens tomorrow -- will it all end abruptly at Southern Playground? Will some other protesters find another government building to vent their frustration and anger?

Stay tuned.