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Letters | Hong Kong protesters should win people from mainland China over to the democratic cause instead of alienating them
- The fight for greater freedoms will only succeed if Hongkongers join hands with their mainland brothers and sisters. Attacks on people from the mainland only make it easier for state media to denounce the protesters’ cause and cut off popular support
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I have been following the Hong Kong protests since June, and my heart goes out to the people of Hong Kong in their struggle for their democratic freedoms and way of life. Until now, I have been quite understanding, even of protesters who have resorted to violence and destruction of infrastructure. While I would prefer that the protesters use peaceful means, I realise that I may not know what turmoil the violent protesters may have been through that has led them to the point where they see no other way but to lash out.
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However, in recent days, I have had two realisations. First, Hongkongers are confining the scope of their actions to attaining greater freedoms in Hong Kong. While I agree with the basis of their five demands, they must realise that limiting the fight to Hong Kong will ultimately be fruitless, because the end goal is to win over the people of mainland China and get them to join the fight.
Actions such as vicious attacks and taunts against mainlanders, burning the Chinese flag and attacking mainland businesses will only alienate mainlanders from the democratic cause and harden their hearts against the protesters. The more these violent and abusive actions escalate, the easier it is for the already biased mainland media to denounce the cause and reinforce negative perceptions among mainland Chinese.
Hongkongers must realise that we mainlanders are brothers and sisters, united by a common Chinese – which does not equal the Communist Party or People’s Republic of China – heritage. There are those among us who share the same aspirations for greater political and civil freedoms, but it breaks my heart to see that we are being tarred by the same brush. Instead of antagonising and indiscriminately blaming us just because we are from the mainland, it would be far more productive, and ultimately necessary, to have us on your side.
Second, violence and vandalism have become the new norms in Hong Kong. Prolonged and excessive use of violence, which has disrupted the lives of many ordinary citizens, will cause the movement to lose popular support. While I understand that violence may be necessary when peaceful methods fall on deaf ears, there should be a balance.
I still want the protests to be mostly peaceful. Non-stop street warfare is ultimately unproductive and harmful. While the absence of leaders was originally an advantage, it is beginning to lead to a lack of coordination and rational yet firm and clear voices to ensure the right defiant actions are taken.
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