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Hong Kong protests
OpinionLetters

Letters | Six steps Hong Kong must take to end the protest crisis in the spirit of reconciliation

  • The prosecution of protesters will not only be expensive and time-consuming, but deepen resentment
  • Instead, the government should pursue amnesty for protesters and police, after which the chief executive must offer her resignation

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More than 80 alumnae of Diocesan Girls’ School stage a silent demonstration outside the prestigious secondary school on the morning of September 3 to call for more freedom of expression on campus and to show support to students on strike across Hong Kong. Photo: Xiaomei Chen
Letters

It’s not too late for the Hong Kong government to restore law and order peacefully and meaningfully.

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Politics is not all about who or what is right or wrong, or even about popularity, but often about mediation and forgiveness. This extraordinary time requires extraordinary vision, courage and sacrifice from all sides.

The aggressive insistence by all parties on pursuing justice denies the wisdom of mediation. Not only will the thousands of complaints and arrests take years to process, but every successful, and unsuccessful, conviction will only perpetuate discontent and division. Conciliation, not conviction, can truly win hearts and minds.

Hong Kong has always turned calamities into blessings in disguise. We can not only do it again this time but also show the world what the true meaning of reconciliation is by resolving the five seemingly insurmountable conditions, as follows:

1. Withdrawal of the extradition bill: This has been done.
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2. Withdrawal of all “rioter” references: This can be done.

3. Amnesty for all arrested protesters: This is not unprecedented.
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