Hong Kong Current Events

[Infinite Zenith]

Apple Daily's shutdown resulted from a lack of journalistic integrity: other publications aren't being ordered to to the same (e.g. Hong Kong Free Press is still up, for instance).

Of course, without more context behind our stances (the forum-goers here at AnimeSuki), it does leave things open for misinterpretation. This leads to a pair of questions for you, Ominae:

1. What are your thoughts on the violence in Hong Kong (specifically, referring to the people who were tearing bricks out and throwing them, using Molotov cockails and bow and arrows)? Are their actions justifiable?
2. Regarding parties like the Demosisto, did their leaders (e.g. Joshua Wong, Nathan Law) have a satisfactory plan for Hong Kong's future had they achieved their goals and became leaders? Did they possess any experiences or qualifications that would allow them to better Hong Kong more effectively than other candidates?

[Infinite Zenith]

It's been five years since this thread was created, and things are now quite different in Hong Kong. According to residents, aspects of everyday life at the surface (taking mass transit, eating out at restaurants, watching sporting events and entertainment) has returned to where it was previously, although the atmosphere is notably subdued. This thread's also been quiet for some time, but one topic that recently came to light was the so-called "Dragon Slaying Brigade", which became known for their actions and plots which would be considered as domestic terrorism. Heading this group was one Wong Chun-keung, who had been encouraged by the effects of violent action and determined it was feasible to escalate. To this end, Chun-keung created a Telegram group and discussed how to maximise casualties by means of homemade bombs. At one point, Chun-keung even managed to procure the materials needed to fashion IEDs. Fortunately, before this plot could materialise, the Hong Kong law enforcement was able to move in and thwart the attempt: unchecked, Chun-keung intended to detonate these devices on December 8, 2019, during the Human Rights Day march, and this would have caused untold casualties to all present, law enforcement and pro-Democracy alike.

The trial for Wong Chun-keung began earlier this year, and in court, prosecutors heard that Chun-keung had solicited donations from a range of people, totalling about 1.12 million HKD. Chun-keung admitted to appropriating the money for his own ends, depositing the money into his Jockey Club account and spending almost a quarter on it on betting. Later, when the courts questioned Chun-keung about his personal life, Chun-keung "collapsed on the ground and cried" after he detailed a relationship with another member of the "Dragon Slaying Brigade" (known only as "Kristy") despite having a girlfriend at the time. Combined with testimony from other "Dragon Slaying Brigade" members, who were horrified at the violence Chun-keung dreamt of, and Chun-keung's own statements, it was clear that Chun-keung was fighting for nothing other than himself, hoping to use the unrest and grandiose plans of domestic terrorism to enrich his own pocketbooks, in turn enabling him to fuel his hedonistic lifestyle of chasing girls and gambling. The trial of Wong Chun-keung provides an interesting profile of one radical extremist and his motivations – it is clear that Chun-keung certainly wasn't acting in the interest of Hong Kong or democracy. This individual's actions does not speak to the intentions and motives of other protestors, but it does act as an example of where it is wrong to broadly paint all of the protestors with one brush and heap praise towards even the rioters for being "brave" or "valiant": Chun-keung was neither, and considering his intent to cause death, a life sentence would not be an unreasonable outcome to hope for.

[Yu Ominae]

Been a while since this got quiet...

Originally Posted by Infinite Zenith

Apple Daily's shutdown resulted from a lack of journalistic integrity: other publications aren't being ordered to to the same (e.g. Hong Kong Free Press is still up, for instance).

Funny that AD is long closed because of journalistic integrity. Using the NSL for that is overkill. The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) can just condemn AD for that. That's one avenue to consider if the HKSAR government/someone doesn't like AD for its journalistic standards.

But since 2020, there's been a few outlets that are closed due to NSL/NSL aftereffects. As for HKFP, I remember Tom Grundy being asked if he's got a backup plan just in case...

Originally Posted by Infinite Zenith

1. What are your thoughts on the violence in Hong Kong (specifically, referring to the people who were tearing bricks out and throwing them, using Molotov cockails and bow and arrows)? Are their actions justifiable?
2. Regarding parties like the Demosisto, did their leaders (e.g. Joshua Wong, Nathan Law) have a satisfactory plan for Hong Kong's future had they achieved their goals and became leaders? Did they possess any experiences or qualifications that would allow them to better Hong Kong more effectively than other candidates?

1. While most violence acts shouldn't be done, the protests that started were peaceful and ended (mostly) after the HKPF used force beyond what can be justified. I even remember them arresting someone who's under 18 despite the fact that she's not involved in the protest and the HKPF had to dig their way out of that problem. I think some of the tactics used by the police to restrain protestors who didn't do anything is also overkill.

2. You can't ask that anymore since they were only around for a while before they left after the oath taking incident was used as the basis for kicking Law and the others out. You're treating them as if newbies can't do better than seasoned veterans in the Legco.