Hong Kong Legislative Council: Empty Dialogue
After 24 days of Occupy Central, the Hong Kong government
is finally willing to talk to protesters.
The Hong Kong Legislative Council believes
that the government has ignored the current crisis
with a fake response, dragging on the issue.
It is hard to convince the students or make them go home.
After the scheduled conversation on the evening of Oct. 21,
the government claimed the meeting went well,
but the students were disappointed.
The federation secretary-general, Alex Chow: "There were
some so-called proposals by the government today,
but they are empty and powerless.
No one knows its exact content
and they did not explain what they are."
In the two hour meeting, Hong Kong Federation of Students
(the federation) proposed to the main demand
of the Occupy Central— amend Basic Law
and implement citizen nominations.
But, the government continues to emphasize that civic
nominations are illegal and Basic Law cannot
be arbitrarily changed.
Hong Kong Legislative Council Albert Ho explains
the significance of the civic nomination.
Albert Ho: "First, it ensures the nomination is open and fair;
Second, it ensures the nomination is not manipulated
by the Central government or any individual,
not even to screen the nominee.
To control and screen the nomination is exactly what
the National People's Congress Standing Committee want
and that’s what the civic nomination is addressed to."
Watching the dialogue live at Causeway, the federation
and protesters were very disappointed at the senior
government officials’ talk, but they still showed restraint.
Hong Kong Legislative Council and Democratic Party
Chairwoman Emily Lau: "I saw the students’ responses,
they are very good, with ideals and capability.
I think the government must let the Central government
learn the demand of the people and allow universal suffrage
as soon as possible."
Alex Chow said that it is unfortunate that 13,000 students
were forced to go on strikes and hundreds of thousands
of citizens were forced to take to the streets, and protesters
suffering from tear gas, batons and injuries.
Alex Chow explained that the demand is simple—
civic nomination, abolishment of government picked
candidates and Functional Constituency.
They hope government and officials will have the courage
to adopt the demands of Hong Kong in political reform.
Emily Lau indicates the Functional Constituency is the biggest
problem in genuine universal suffrage in Hong Kong.
Emily Lau: "The functional constituency has existed
for many years.
It is the reason why Hong Kong is now faced
with a lot of difficulties.
It does not represent the general public of Hong Kong,
but a small portion of professionals.
It is not a democratic election.
Many people desire to terminate functional constituency.
It’s been the wish of many people for many years."
The Hong Kong government wants to set up
a multi-party political reform platform for discussion.
Legislative Council Alan Leong is skeptical.
Alan Leong: "The premise of the multi-party platform is that
the electoral arrangements for 2017 cannot be changed.
To those who want to be their own boss,
the platform means nothing.
What are the parties and compositions of the so-called
multi-party?
Will it enable a true universal suffrage?
What is the function or role of the platform?
None of these were mentioned."
The government representatives said that the government
is willing to submit a report to Beijing about the recent
situation in Hong Kong and the public demands.
Alan Leong: "What is the content of the report?
It has no explanation or any concrete discussion.
For instance, Leung Chun-ying said that there are external
forces mediating Occupy Central;
will he put that into the report?
What about the color revolution?
Will he write that into the report?
If he will, then the report won’t help."
Meanwhile, Leung Chun-ying told media that
if universal suffrage is allowed, the poor working class
in Hong Kong will dominate in the political arena.
Alan Leong: "To the Legislative Council Members,
his words do not sound so right.
Why is it that you would describe yourself as a grassroots
savior, nemesis of the hegemony during your election?
But, two years later, you have changed.
Simply put it, it is an excuse just to save
the four constituencies and functional constituency.
This also has a great rebound in Hong Kong."
Finally, Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration,
Carrie Lam, required student leaders to allow
demonstrators to leave.
She insisted that the government would not conduct
further political reform prior to the 2017 election.
Alex Chow responded that unless the government
decides to change the screening of candidates,
they would not require protesters to disperse.
Interview/Qin Xue Edit/Huang Yimei Post-Production/Li Zhiyuan
