Albert Ho says mainland figures should show more restraint
The president of the Legislative Council, Tsang Yok-sing, has questioned the contention by the head of a high-level mainland think tank that Hong Kong's failure to cast off the shackles of its colonial past has helped to create myriad problems and internal conflicts in the territory.
Chen Zuo'er, chairman of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, made the remarks during a local forum on Sunday morning.
In response, Tsang said he believes Hong Kong's colonial past has had little effect on the younger generation of today. He also disputed Chen's remarks that the city's alleged failure to "de-colonise" has harmed the implementation of the one country, two systems principle.
Mr Tsang added that he doesn't think most Hong Kong people hold any special fondness for the city's former colonial status.
Democratic Party chairwoman Emily Lau also took issue with Chen’s comments. She said she didn’t understand why the head of a think tank on Hong Kong cannot see that the real problem afflicting the territory is its polarised society. Lau also argued that poor government policies are the real cause behind the stalling economy, and why people aren’t happy. She added that it’s only natural for people to compare the present to the past if they feel their lives were better before.
Her colleague, Albert Ho, says he believes that prominent mainland figures have recently been speaking out on Hong Kong matters to serve as a reminder that the Central government holds sovereignty over the SAR.
However, New People’s Party vice-chairman Michael Tien backed Chen’s remarks, saying some people’s insistence on adopting political models from overseas is one example of “colonialist” thought. He said Hong Kong could have taken a step towards “de-colonisation” if it had passed a political reform bill that conforms to the Basic Law.
On Chen’s contention that “certain things” that should have been relegated to museums have been revived recently, Tien said he thinks the colonial flag, “localist” concepts”, and resistance against integration with the mainland are examples of things that belong in the dustbin of history.
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Last updated: 2015-09-20 HKT 16:09
Chen Zuo'er, chairman of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, made the remarks during a local forum on Sunday morning.
In response, Tsang said he believes Hong Kong's colonial past has had little effect on the younger generation of today. He also disputed Chen's remarks that the city's alleged failure to "de-colonise" has harmed the implementation of the one country, two systems principle.
Mr Tsang added that he doesn't think most Hong Kong people hold any special fondness for the city's former colonial status.
Democratic Party chairwoman Emily Lau also took issue with Chen’s comments. She said she didn’t understand why the head of a think tank on Hong Kong cannot see that the real problem afflicting the territory is its polarised society. Lau also argued that poor government policies are the real cause behind the stalling economy, and why people aren’t happy. She added that it’s only natural for people to compare the present to the past if they feel their lives were better before.
Her colleague, Albert Ho, says he believes that prominent mainland figures have recently been speaking out on Hong Kong matters to serve as a reminder that the Central government holds sovereignty over the SAR.
However, New People’s Party vice-chairman Michael Tien backed Chen’s remarks, saying some people’s insistence on adopting political models from overseas is one example of “colonialist” thought. He said Hong Kong could have taken a step towards “de-colonisation” if it had passed a political reform bill that conforms to the Basic Law.
On Chen’s contention that “certain things” that should have been relegated to museums have been revived recently, Tien said he thinks the colonial flag, “localist” concepts”, and resistance against integration with the mainland are examples of things that belong in the dustbin of history.
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Last updated: 2015-09-20 HKT 16:09
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1212474-20150920.htm
