Beijing Warns Protesters

HKMAO spokesman Yang Guang gave a press conference today

Yesterday Chief Executive Carrie Lam spoke to the media, but basically said the same thing, and today it was Beijing's turn.

The spokesman for the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs office under the State Council held a press conference this afternoon. And guess what? He said the same thing too in a choreographed performance.

Carrie Lam repeated her stance yesterday of not budging

Yang Guang reiterated the central government's support of Lam and the police, and then condemned the protesters as "anti-China" groups who advocate civil disobedience and beautify the use of violence, saying they "fuel the tension within the city".

"What is the next step forward? We are calling on Hong Kong people to take a united stand against the violence," Yang says.

"It is imperative to end the violence. I call on Hong Kong citizens to stand up and protect your beautiful homeland, just like that elderly citizen in the airport and like the hardworking class who strive to go to work everyday."

The HKMAO spokesman is referring to the elderly man who was jostled in the airport after lashing out at a protest sign, and people who vented their anger at protesters who tried to stop MTR trains from running on time yesterday, the day of the general strike.

Testy fights broke out in the MTR during the general strike

So it seems Yang is advocating non protesters pick fights with people in black. How is this productive? How about letting Lam resign and withdraw the bill? That would definitely ease tensions in Hong Kong.

He warns that those who play with fire will pay the price... eventually.  "All parties will be held legally accountable. This is a message to all criminals: do not mistake our restraint as being soft, do not underestimate the central government's determination in maintaining stability."

Yang also says that those who defaced China's national emblem and seized the national flag from a pole and flung it into the sea are posing a serious challenge to Chinese sovereignty, calling them "radical elements". "They will have to face justice in the future," he says.

Then Yang refers to jailed independence leader Edward Leung's slogan, "Reclaim Hong Kong, revolution of our times" which is the latest battle cry of the protesters. The HKMAO spokesman latches onto this slogan as a sign that the protesters are seeking independence and asks, "What do you want to liberate Hong Kong from?"

The HKMAO held an unprecedented second press conference

However, protesters have said that this slogan can be interpreted many ways, but independence is not one of them. They all understand that Hong Kong is under China, but that the political system is broken and want to be able to directly vote for the city's leader.

Yang repeats what former leader Tung Chee-hwa has said before, that the United States and Taiwan have been orchestrating things behind the scenes, influencing the protesters. This is the most ridiculous accusation, but China hopes with enough repetition that it will be believed. This could not be farther from the truth.

Beijing and Lam seem to have no respect for Hongkongers' intelligence, thinking they are too weak or don't understand what's really going on, when these 7 million people have some of the sharpest minds around.

So many people are against the extradition bill and supporting the protests (the peaceful ones), including many people from various sectors as well as the civil service, which is unheard of.

People strongly opposed national education in 2012

But another HKMAO spokeswoman, Xu Luying insists that the protesters don't have enough patriotism, that they have not any national education.

"Passionately loving our nation should be a fundamental value. When national education is lacking, is it any wonder why our young people are acting like this? I feel that a firm national education should be a priority to put our young people back on the right path.

"Hong Kong's young people are also China's young people. Their future is China's future. The central government cares a lot for the issues they are facing but the problems cannot be resolved with violence," she says.

Young Hongkongers already don't like the idea of having national education rammed down their throats. Joshua Wong Chi-fung led the movement back in 2012 when they besieged government offices for 10 consecutive days.

Protesters working quickly to contain the tear gas with water

This idea will only inspire students to further protest the further mainlandization of their education...

But alas...

Finally on the issue of the possibility of the People's Liberation Army marching into Hong Kong, Yang reiterates Beijing's support of Lam and the police to be able to bring stability back to the city. When pressed again on the issue he says:

"My answers have been laid out before but what I would like to emphasize again is that the central government supports Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. We will not let any acts attacking the principle of 'one country, two systems' go unpunished."

Cryptic...