Letters | Why Hong Kong should not be obsessed with democracy

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A protester holds up five fingers symbolising the movement’s five demands, including universal suffrage, during the annual New Year’s Day pro-democracy march, in Causeway Bay on January 1, 2020. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 6:20am, 10 Feb 2021Updated: 6:20am, 10 Feb 2021

By now, Hongkongers realise the US has interfered in Hong Kong affairs, though not everyone understands the US’ ultimate goal is to destabilise and weaken China. Any jurisdiction that has been Americanised, such as Taiwan or South Korea, has to depend heavily on the US for defence. They have to depend on and obey Washington. This is not true independence.

Today’s China is truly independent, with the weapons to protect itself. Independence is what the Chinese have wished for since the Qing dynasty. Who would give up independence and become a puppet of another country?

Hongkongers should not dream the US will treat them as friends. US interference in Latin America did not benefit Latin Americans. Who would let another country control their economy and become poor?

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Hong Kong rally urges US Congress to pass Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act

Politically Hong Kong is immature. Years ago, Hongkongers were not wise enough to see the need for the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law. After Occupy Central, Hongkongers were not mature enough to foresee the 2019 unrest.

Today, Hongkongers should be wise enough to understand that a chief executive election will be open to US interference. Why not take advantage of Article 45 whereby the chief executive candidate can be legally elected via consultation instead of a vote? This is a good option at least for now when Hong Kong politics is still immature, and when the yellow camp is still active.

Why hang onto the election game? The US is not a true democracy, whereby a president is elected under the “one person, one vote” principle. It is a plutocracy where elites rule the country.

Any leader who cares about the welfare of the people should first take care of their livelihoods and not play the election game.