Univited Help Arrives

PLA soldiers removing bricks from the road in Kowloon Tong today

This afternoon some residents who live around Pok Fu Lam Road and the University of Hong Kong began clearing the road that had been blocked for the past few days. There were some scuffles with protesters, but for the most part the volunteer clean-up crew were left alone.

Another clean-effort was underway around the Baptist University campus, but Hong Kong residents had some help from an unexpected group -- the People's Liberation Army.

A fellow soldier (right) filmed the soldiers cleaning up

From video clips it looks like several dozen soldiers from the PLA came out of their Kowloon Tong barracks around 4pm dressed in khaki T-shirts and black shorts, or in what look like colourful basketball singlets. Armed with bamboo brooms and red buckets, the soldiers started clearing broken bricks that were strewn all over Renfrew Road that the protesters had left behind.

The last time the soldiers came out was after the devastation of super typhoon Manghkut last October, when they helped to remove felled trees from Hong Kong's country parks. Their help wasn't requested that time either and today they just showed up unannounced.

Oh and yes they had a film crew document their good deed of the day.

According to Article 14 in the Basic Law:

The Central People's Government shall be responsible for the defence of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 
 
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be responsible for the maintenance of public order in the Region. 

Last year the PLA helped clean up the country parks

 
Military forces stationed by the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for defence shall not interfere in the local affairs of the Region. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may, when necessary, ask the Central People's Government for assistance from the garrison in the maintenance of public order and in disaster relief. 
 
In addition to abiding by national laws, members of the garrison shall abide by the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 
 
Expenditure for the garrison shall be borne by the Central People's Government.

In this case the PLA is cleaning up roads... a spokesman for the garrison said the police force did not ask them to volunteer. "Stopping violence is everyone's duty," a man giving commands to the soldiers said to reporters.

But in the Basic Law, what the PLA were doing was illegal

Later when pressed by the media, the Hong Kong government replied: "The Hong Kong Garrison’s assistance... is purely a voluntary community activity initiated by themselves. The HKSAR Government has not requested the Garrison’s assistance.” 

Which means the PLA voluntary cleaning-up exercise this afternoon was illegal. 





What is this? It's a test, a trial balloon to see what the public's reaction is to the soldiers, not in uniform, but "volunteering" their time and effort in helping Hong Kong get back on its feet. Some people who watched the PLA soldiers clapped in approval, while the pan-democrats are ringing the alarm bells over this.

Security veteran and Democratic Party lawmaker James To Kun-sun believed the move by the PLA was not ordered by the chairman of the Central Military Commission.

"This time, it doesn't look like voluntary service," he said, referring to the soldiers' previous participation in tree planting. "It's more like assisting the maintenance of public order."

A lot of obstacles that need to be cleaned up in Hong Kong

He said if the operation was not based on the Garrison Law, then the soldiers should not come out to clear bricks. "It could be dangerous," To added, referring to potential clashes between them and the protesters.

"They may say PLA soldiers have been attacked... then they can use heavy weapons. This is the most worrying thing."

But the protesters did not confront the soldiers... hopefully knowing there was no point in trying to even fight them.

But having the PLA come out unannounced is rather concerning, especially since protesters are fighting to prevent further interference from Beijing...
 

The Polarization Continues

The entrance to Baptist University is effectively blocked by mini Stonehenges

As I write this, students at Chinese University of Hong Kong are retreating -- about a dozen volunteers have come with cars to take them out.

This ends the four-day occupation of the university safely... but they have left behind a giant mess.

However it seems Hong Kong Polytechnic University is still going strong, the students have prevented any traffic from going through the Cross Harbour Tunnel and even have security checks of every person who walks into the campus.

A fire erupted near Chinese University prompting evacuation

I talked to one professor from the University of Hong Kong -- and it is also his alma mater -- and he said this was the first time he ever had to climb over barricades to get to his office.

The situation has become untenable and the heads of nine universities here have issued an open letter to the government urging the authorities to set up and resolve the political deadlock in the name of safety and security of the whole city.

The letter says:

Hong Kong society is currently fractured, with deep divisions across social groups, political parties, and even amongst family and friends. The past week has seen a rapid escalation of violence and confrontation throughout Hong Kong: several universities are now under protestors’ control; on-campus hazardous materials have been taken; staff and students have left campus out of fear for their personal safety. These events are challenging our universities in the most fundamental way.

No political viewpoint gives a licence to damage property, employ physical threats, or use violence against individuals. It is regrettable that societal disagreement has led to university campuses becoming major political battlefields, and that the government response has so far not been effective. However, any demand that universities can simply fix the problem is disconnected from reality: these complicated and challenging situations neither originate from the Universities, nor can they be resolved through University disciplinary processes. They are reflections of Hong Kong-wide disagreement, and the government must take the lead with swift and concrete action to resolve this political deadlock and to restore safety and public order now.

Earlier in the day students manning No. 2 bridge in Sha Tin

Hong Kong is our home. We call on all quarters of society to work together to bring peace and order back to Hong Kong.

Prof. KUO Way, President, City University of Hong Kong
Prof. Roland T. CHIN President & Vice-Chancellor, Hong Kong Baptist University
Prof. Leonard CHENG, President, Lingnan University
Prof. Rocky S. TUAN, President & Vice-Chancellor, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Prof. Stephen CHEUNG, President, The Education University of Hong Kong
Prof. TENG Jin-Guang , President, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Prof. Wei SHYY, President, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Prof. WONG Yuk-Shan, President, The Open University of Hong Kong
Prof. ZHANG Xiang, President & Vice-Chancellor, The University of Hong Kong
(Listed in alphabetical order of universities)

Earlier in the day a newspaper article talked about how the government was getting pressure from all sides, including the pro-establishment parties to do something to resolve the situation. Everyone is tired and frustrated by the government's inaction, just constantly condemning the protesters as rioters and how the violence needs to be stopped.

This only gives more license to the police to have their way with anyone, including bystanders, which in turn makes people even angrier. Surely the government must have figured this out by now.

Carrie Lam not very empathetic at town hall meeting

At lunchtime today scores of people came out not only in Central and Taikoo, but also Wong Chuk Hang and Kwun Tong. A lot of Hong Kong's population are angry with the government.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has said that she is open to dialogue and yet she has not had engaged the public since her disastrous town hall meeting on September 26.

What is she waiting for?

The best way to diffuse tensions is to initiate dialogue but instead Lam would rather inspect trashed MTR stations than meet with people to hear their frustrations and fears. Did she think people would give up?

As someone who was directly involved in dealing with the Umbrella Movement five years ago, Lam hasn't learnt her lesson at all. She has just dismissed it as a blip in Hong Kong's history. For the rest of us, those 79 days were seared in our memories.

Civil service head Joshua Law sends warning to civil servants

Meanwhile civil servants may want to think twice about protesting. Secretary for the Civil Service Joshua Law Chi-kong wrote a letter to the 180,000 civil servants and warned they would face immediate suspension or other disciplinary action if they were arrested for taking part in unlawful activities.

"The government will not tolerate civil servants breaching the law," he wrote. "It would be difficult for the community to accept an arrested civil servant being allowed to continue to exercise the powers and functions of office.

"In this regard, we will interdict the officer in the public interest when an inquiry against him is being undertaken," he wrote.

If this letter was written a year ago, most people would agree. But given what has happened in the past five months, including a rally for civil servants to protest against the extradition bill, most residents would not mind if a civil servant was arrested and continued working -- until they were convicted.

What happened to following the tenet of "innocent until proven guilty"?

The polarization continues...

Waiting for the Sign

Carrie Lam has done nothing to alleviate the five-month long protests

Late last night six cars pulled up to Government House for a meeting with Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor. There was no statement today about what was discussed, though media speculated perhaps there were plans to add more emergency measures or perhaps a curfew.

Then late in the afternoon nationalist state media outlet Global Times tweeted that it had "exclusive breaking news" that the Hong Kong government would make an announcement about a curfew in the city. It claimed that NowTV was the source of this information.

Chinese State-funded media Global Times reported about a curfew in #HongKong, but has subsequently deleted the tweet #HongKongProtests pic.twitter.com/mmpvnkPQQk

— Damon Pang (@damon_pang) November 14, 2019

 

However, not long after, NowTV issued a statement saying it never issued a report about this, and soon after Global Times deleted its tweet.

Its editor-in-chief Hu Xijin tweeted: "A GT reporter reported from HK that the HKSAR govt is expected to announce curfew for weekend: sources. I just checked how the information was obtained. My conclusion is that the information is not sufficient to support this exclusive news. I have demanded to delete the tweet."

At least they admitted it was wrong.

A lot of supplies donated by volunteers to Chinese University

But in a way we are kind of waiting for it... or it is kind of happening already with the MTR being shut earlier this week, and some of its stations not working. And now with many schools and universities closed, and shopping malls shut down, a lot of people are forced to stay at home.

Speaking of universities, many of the mainland students were forced to leave by the Chinese government. With all their passport details already on hand, bus tickets were quickly arranged to get them across the border. However, many of the students were literally dumped in Shenzhen and left to find their own way back home.

We are also waiting for a showdown between the police and students holed up in the various university campuses. The latter are very organized, managing their own canteen, supplies are categorized and put in piles from food to clothing, first aid, battery chargers and so on. They are completely self sufficient.

Meanwhile the protest marches at lunchtime continue despite riot police lashing out periodically and picking victims to arrest in the hopes of scaring the others. It doesn't work and instead makes these office workers even angrier.

First-time cooks are rustling up decent meals in the canteen

What does the Lam administration think it is achieving by doing nothing and allowing the police to be, as one of my friends put it, "drunk with power"?

This is not the Hong Kong we know and love.

However, whenever this is over, Hong Kong will not be the same again. Are we prepared for what changes will come? In the last few days, being here makes me wonder if it is like pre-World War II, trying to live a normal life when really things around you are not normal. When do you push the panic button and leave?

Oh and yes we can all thank Carrie for all this chaos that was really unnecessary if she had just listened to the people back in June... Her stubbornness astounds.

Confrontations Continue for a Third Weekday

Two students catch some rest on a couch outside in Chinese University

Yesterday's siege at Chinese University of Hong Kong shocked a lot of people, not just that the police fired over 1,300 rounds of tear gas, but that they entered a university campus that is considered sacred ground for intellectuals. Students and alumni feel this is a place of virtue that needs to be defended.

Into the early hours this morning, volunteers ferried up supplies to the front-line protesters and a call out was made today for everything from food to first aid, goggles, helmets, even scissors and battery packs to charge phones.

Over 1,3000 rounds of tear gas were fired last night

However, some people carrying some of these supplies in shopping bags were stopped by police from entering the campus and were arrested. Arrested! Arrested for shopping! Many were middle-aged aunties trying to do their bit to help the students.

In any event, some got creative and disguised their purchases in bags from luxury brand boutiques covered in tissue paper. Others brought up supplies via private cars.

Meanwhile the students up there are gearing up for another serious clash with the police, even practicing their throwing skills on the running track. Others tried to catch as much sleep as they could.

Back in Central at noon young professionals were out in force again today in their office wear, occupying Pedder Street and Connaught Road. Instead of going back to work after the lunch hour, they continue to stay, and set up road blocks creating traffic chaos for drivers. Many offices let their employees go for the day and shops start closing if they haven't already. The shops in Times Square in Causeway Bay didn't even open, unless they were food related.

Matthew Cheung (right) doesn't know why people are angry

Then Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung had the gall to say in the Legislative Council that he didn't have an opinion poll giving him the information to explain the public anger towards the authorities, as the extradition bill had already been withdrawn.

Needless to say the pro-democracy lawmakers were flabbergasted -- as well as the rest of us.

Pan-democrats told the government it had to stop refusing to acknowledge the real reasons behind the growing public resentment, as the increasing anger is fueling the protests now into its 158th day.

Cheung said the ongoing protests were no longer about the now-withdrawn extradition bill, but that the protesters were now focused on disturbing the peace.

When asked what was the biggest cause of public anger, Cheung replied he didn't have access to a public opinion poll to tell him, and that people could be upset about various things.

Protest art has taken on a bigger canvas, the entire street

"Housing problems, the wealth gap, social mobility, and other social issues can all be triggers," he said.

But Cheung also conceded there are concerns about the police force. "Some people hold certain views about how the police enforce the law, but they have to respond to the law and order incidents. There's no way they can stay away."

Democractic Party lawmaker James To Kun-sun was gobsmacked to hear Cheung say he didn't know what the root cause of people's anger was. To said it is clear that police brutality is driving so many people to take to the streets.

"It points to the ignorance of the government of people's opinion on the police's excessive force and brutality. People understand the police have a duty to enforce the law, but [it should be] in a reasonable and proportionate way," To said.

Thousands gathered in Central for a third day at lunchtime

He added that the government's conclusion -- or the one "dictated" to it by Beijing -- that stopping violence is the most important task, means the problem is only getting worse.

Cheung's remarks show how utterly out of touch Hong Kong's leadership is with its people. It also shows complete incompetence and the inability to understand and solve the core problems the city is facing. This also gives the strongest argument yet why people are fighting for universal suffrage -- to be able to elect their own leader so that the leadership has accountability.

Beijing is only listening to a small group of elites, mostly business tycoons, about how Hong Kong should be run, or what they think the city needs. By the same token Beijing is not interested in going in the ground to talk to ordinary people to ask them what they need, and instead just wants to impose its authority on the city.

Last night a mainlander who works for a human rights organization wrote on Twitter:

"As a mainlander who has been robbed of any collective political action since birth, I want to say to Hong Kongers: you are posing a challenge to the Communist Party that it has never experienced since it took over China 70 years ago. For that alone, you are incredible."

As a mainlander who has been robbed of any collective political action since birth, I want to say to Hong Kongers: you are posing a challenge to the Communist Party that it has never experienced since it took over China 70 years ago. For that alone, you are incredible. https://t.co/yVyYcvKTc7

— Yaqiu Wang 王亚秋 (@Yaqiu) November 12, 2019

People in Hong Kong accept that they are a part of China, but they want to be able to elect their leader. The government is not listening and as a result Hong Kong's institutions are falling apart and authoritarianism is taking over, thanks to the heavy handedness of the police. 

Where is the way out of this mess? We all want a peaceful solution, but how can it be found when the government can't even understand why its people are so angry?