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The protesters need an end game, besides democracy. Photo: EPA

More than ever, Hong Kong needs a leader who can communicate and heal the social divide

Franklin Koo says a focus only on political reform will not solve all the city’s problems

 

With the Occupy Central crisis now in its third week, one might think Hong Kong officials would be doing anything in their power to ensure its immediate and peaceful resolution, taking all necessary precautions to prevent further aggravations and divisions in society.

During these times, it is important for a leader to take an active approach to diffuse the situation, rather than avoid communication. And yet the chief executive has yet to effectively deal with or communicate any of the deep-seated problems that have given rise to the movement. The little communication that has taken place is in the form of positional bargaining, firm and repeated time and again, with the hard stance that any discussion must fall within the confines of the Basic Law and the  National People’s Congress decision.

For China’s stability as a nation, this position is understandable. Yet the focus solely on political reform cannot be the solution to all of Hong Kong’s current problems. There are major issues to address.To ensure Hong Kong’s future and maintain an acceptable balance between the economy and the needs of local residents, Hong Kong now needs, more than ever before, a leader to step up and make concrete plans to mend the social divide.

Most protesters want democracy, but Hong Kong has never had universal suffrage before, and the majority of residents were quite content, pre-1997, when governors were appointed, not elected. So, what has created this demand?

Under British colonial rule, most residents were not interested in politics. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, many citizens, fearful of the post-handover future, emigrated. With the safeguard of the Basic Law, most fears over censorship and restrictions on freedoms did not materialise. Instead, Hong Kong changed dynamically to adapt to the rapid economic growth of mainland China. 

Local sustainability fell as textile industries and factories moved over the border owing to cheaper rent and labour. With the Asian economic crisis in 1997 and Sars in 2003, the economy and health – not politics – was the priority.  The economy took a drastic downturn, but Hong Kong bounced back, in part because officials sought assistance from the mainland to boost the local tourism industry. 

Today, while Hong Kong has benefited economically from mainland support, most if not all its industries are now reliant on mainland consumers as the main economic vehicle. This has been great for landlords and businessmen, but young people find it hard to afford their own home; there has been heated competition with mainlanders for milk powder or spaces in hospitals and kindergartens; and local small businesses that play a large role in the history and culture of the city have been driven out by high rents. 

Many Hongkongers fear the city’s diverse culture has been eroded in exchange for economic growth, indirectly assimilating  it into the People’s Republic and slowly losing its unique values. Protection of Hong Kong’s identity is the focal point for many protesters.

The assumption for many is that Beijing’s vetting of candidates would result in an elected leader who continues the poor performances of past leaders and  neglect of Hong Kong’s values and identity. This core issue needs addressing. 

Support for the Occupy movement comes from many years of built-up frustration about high property prices, the fear of growing censorship and a loss of press freedom, and the overflow of mainland tourists. Some people now conclude that drastic change is needed.

However, any voting system will be futile if a real leader has yet to emerge. Thus, there is  a genuine need  for an effective and responsible government that can address many of the current problems. Protesters have been clear that  this is not an act of revolution against Beijing’s sovereignty. The push for democracy may well be due to the government’s failure to fix the many frustrations now facing Hong Kong residents. Therefore, officials must communicate clearly that they recognise the needs of the people, and set up open discussions on possible policy changes specifically to deal with these frustrations.

The protesters need an end game, besides democracy. The key to defusing the crisis is for Hong Kong officials to address and solve the problems now, rather than for protesters to hope, with no certainty, that a democratic system and an elected leader may possibly address and solve the issues.

Hong Kong needs effective communication and leadership to end this deadlock, regain trust, and give local residents a faint hope that their voices are not only heard, but also their frustrations will be dealt with through real change and action, rather than the usual speeches  full of political sound bites. The first step is being able to communicate with the people.

It’s now time for a leader to deal with the real issues and begin the healing process. For the sake of Hong Kong’s future, it’s a time when communication cannot afford to fail.

Franklin Koo is an accredited mediator and author of Power to the People: Extending the Jury to the Hong Kong District Court

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Now, more than ever, Hong Kong needs communication to heal the social divide
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