Chinese University poll finds significant proportion think such action is the only way to get the government to respond to public demands
STAFF REPORTER
UPDATED : Thursday, 07 April, 2016, 10:02am
About one in six survey respondents think this kind of behaviour – in Mong Kok – is acceptable. Photo: Edward Wong
Nearly one in six Hongkongers think radical action, including blocking traffic and provoking clashes, are the only way to make the government respond to people’s demands, a study has revealed.
The Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies at the Chinese University conducted the survey after the Mong Kok riot on the first night of the Lunar New Year.
The institute interviewed 717 respondents between March 18 and 23 to gauge their views on social conflicts in the city.
Nearly 70 per cent agreed that people should pursue demands with the governments in a rational way, while 15.9 per cent found that radical action was the only solution.
More than 40 per cent of interviewees accepted a protest in which demonstrators lay down, while almost 19 per cent found it acceptable to throw eggs at officials and provoke clashes.
The survey also showed that just over two-thirds ( regarded the current conflict between the government and residents as “serious”, while 71.4 per cent found the political wrangling in the city to be “serious”.
The survey did not draw any conclusions.
The Mong Kok riot in early February left 130 people injured and scores of people arrested. Pan-democrat politicians blamed poor administration for the clashes.
The government earlier rejected calls to set up an independent inquiry into what happened in Mong Kok, saying that criminal investigations would suffice.
The Legislative Council set up a select committee last month to look into the matter, but it cannot force witnesses to give evidence.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1934075/one-six-hong-kong-people-back-radical-action-including
