If China hears the Hong Kong people, it must let Carrie Lam go
- The Hong Kong authorities’ apparently inconsistent handling of the Yuen Long attack on commuters and protesters’ clashes with the police sows doubts about the rule of law
- Instead of supporting Carrie Lam, Beijing should hold her accountable for mismanaging Hong Kong
Hong Kong society is disintegrating before our very eyes.
As the leading case of R v Sussex Justices, ex parte McCarthy noted in 1923, it is “of fundamental importance that justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done”.
We don’t need tear gas to be in tears over our city.
Chaos in Hong Kong cannot possibly be conducive to China’s peaceful rise in the world.
China, after all, is a people’s republic. It is in being able to build on differences within a polity that makes a state great, and that bolsters patriotism, harmony and stability in a way that no propaganda video can.
Hong Kong, as part of a prosperous China, deserves and requires a competent, functioning government. It urgently needs a fresh start in order for all of us, of all political persuasions, of all ages and from all walks of life, to heal and to engage dispassionately in dialogues about our society and the myriad roles we play in China’s greatness.
Regardless of Beijing’s support, Lam has already lost all political and moral authority and legitimacy. Her lingering at Government House will only hold Hong Kong’s governance in abeyance, and deepen the schisms within society. The damage to Hong Kong will be irreparable.
For these reasons, it would be a strong exercise of sovereignty for Beijing to hold Lam accountable for mismanaging Hong Kong, demand her resignation, and direct the formation of a new government in Hong Kong. In doing so, Beijing will demonstrate that Hong Kong and the mainland truly are one country, in which Beijing shows its benevolent concern for Hong Kong society and Hongkongers see that Beijing listens to and cares about us.
There is still hope that Hong Kong can emerge stronger from this darkest hour before dawn.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Phil C.W. Chan is senior fellow at the Institute for Security and Development Policy in Stockholm and Chengdu. He is author of the book China, State Sovereignty and International Legal Order, and holds law degrees from Hong Kong, England and Singapore