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SCMP Reporter

Any attempt to launch a "colour revolution" on the mainland from Hong Kong would be futile, People's Daily warned yesterday as the Occupy Central movement entered its seventh day.
In a front-page commentary under the headline, "Determined to protect the rule of law in Hong Kong", the newspaper said democracy without the rule of law would only result in chaos.
It was the third day in a row the party's mouthpiece had carried front-page comment on the protests in Hong Kong.
"Any intention among a small number of people to hold a colour revolution on the mainland through Hong Kong would be a daydream," it said.
Occupy Central "would also cause significant economic loss, and possibly serious consequences in terms of injuries and deaths", it warned.
"Colour revolution" is a term widely used to describe various movements in the former Soviet Union during the early 2000s that led to the overthrow of governments. The term was also applied to uprisings in the Middle East in recent years.
The commentary said Occupy Central was illegal even though it was branded as "civil disobedience" and peaceful, and Hong Kong police had no alternative but to fire tear gas.
"Dealing with illegal activities through legal means is the best safeguard for the rule of law, and a strong defence for democracy," it said.
"No one can ignore the law. No one is an exception to the rule of law, and young people and students should also obey the law."

State media continued yesterday with reports on the so-called negative impact of the Occupy Central movement, with China Central Television reporting that the movement had affected the city's economy.
The state network said property sales over the past two days had dropped to the worst level since the 2008 financial crisis and that the city's stock market also went down after the protests.
People's Daily reported that business had fallen for many hotels, and some overseas investors had put their Hong Kong investment plans on hold.
A separate signed commentary on page 4 of the paper also said it was not possible for someone who was unpatriotic and did not love Hong Kong to become the city's chief executive.
"Can Hong Kong still enjoy stability when people resort to confrontation, occupying streets and creating nuisance whenever they are dissatisfied?" the commentary said.
It added that voters in the United States had a "limited choice" of presidential candidates and the British made no attempt to introduce democracy in Hong Kong when they ruled the city.
But the decision by the National People's Congress Standing Committee in August to allow one person, one vote for Hong Kong's chief executive election in 2017 was a step towards democracy, it said.
Xinhua reported that cadres and representatives of various sectors across the nation opposed Occupy Central.
Quoting Peking University law professor Chen Duanhong, its report said Occupy Central was instigated by a few people with their own political agenda, and the movement had deceived the public by presenting the action as "civil disobedience".
The protests had significantly affected the interests of the Hong Kong people and should not be tolerated, Chen was quoted as saying.
Xinhua also quoted Li Zhensheng, the party secretary of Zhenrong township in Fujian province, as saying that villagers were angered by Occupy Central, and that opinions should be expressed through legal means.
He said the foundation of "one country, two systems" would not be shaken by the protests, and the protesters would leave a "bad name" in history if they continued with their efforts.


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Occupy Central

Forget about starting a Chinese 'colour revolution' in Hong Kong, People's Daily blasts

Pro-democracy demonstrators clash with anti-Occupy protesters in Mong Kok yesterday. Mainland media warn of economic losses to the city. Photo: Sam Tsang

Protesters wear blue ribbons in Admiralty to support police. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

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Crowds at the sales office for The Pavilia Hill. Photo: Jonathan Wong

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Ma Ying-jeou rapped for 'cold-blooded' response to Occupy Central. Photo: Reuters

News

Hong Kong

People's Daily, in third consecutive front-page commentary, dismisses prospect of 'colour revolution' that spreads to mainland from city


Any attempt to launch a "colour revolution" on the mainland from Hong Kong would be futile, People's Daily warned as the Occupy Central movement entered its seventh day.


Focus