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?